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During the Independence day weekend the expedition tested gear from Halti (a Finnish manufacturer) in Lapland, Korouoma, Posio. During the same trip two members attended in the ice climbing module of Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) training arranged by Finnish Climbing Association. The weather didn't fully provide the cold and snowy environment we were looking for. The temperature stayed stubbornly around 0 degrees and it was raining all four days making the ice falls turn into water falls.

Still the testing was done and some ice climbing was also done. We tested Halti gear from clothing to camping. We had two DrymaxX pants and one jacket, two sleeping bags, rucksack, tent and a gear pack. The pants and jacket waterproofness was proved due to the weather and they performed very well. The tent (Antarctica Pro 3) stood also days in a rain and had no problems with it. Actually it surprised with some very nice details like a possibility to tighten the tent ropes from inside without a need to enter the bad weather and small sleeves for unused tent ropes to keep them neatly stored.

The waterproofness of the pants and jacket was tested in the rain and also in the waterfalls on the ice falls. Even though the water was running from the climbing rope like from the tap straight into the jacket and pants it stayed outside and the only moisture inside was from sweating. The details like ventilation and pockets were also functional when wearing the harness and the rucksack. These give a good foundation for the Himalayas.

We weren't able to test the down suit and sleeping bags in the cold weather. The night spent in the tent proved that the warmer sleeping bag really is warm and will most probably work well in cold wether as well. It was also roomy enough for a bit taller person.

All in all the gear tested in Korouoma went well and the persons responsible for the expedition gear can start to build on them to have the final set to be used in the Himalayas.