Paula Strengell faces harsh conditions during night ski expedition in Sarek, Sweden

In sub-zero temperatures, Paula Strengell, a 56-year-old psychiatrist and grandmother, embarked on her first night ski expedition in Sarek, northern Sweden, only to wake up to a harsh surprise: the water prepared by her group had spilled over her clothes. With all her warm garments drenched, she had no choice but to ski in her only dry outfit—sweatpants.

Initially, the weather was favorable as she pulled a heavy sled. However, conditions rapidly turned cold and windy, leading her to drag a lighter sled belonging to a companion. This change helped temporarily, but her body soon stopped sweating, leaving her feeling frozen and struggling to speak or retrieve her energy drink. As her teammate noticed her struggle, the group set up a protective camp where she could recover.

Despite this daunting experience, Strengell persevered and continued to pursue increasingly challenging hikes. She once skied to the South Pole in 52 days and became the first Finnish woman to summit the notoriously dangerous K2.

Strengell discovered her passion for endurance sports after moving to Helsinki a decade ago, initially hiking in her native Lapland. Her love for climbing took her from the low hills in Finland to the glaciers and mountains of Norway.

Though she enjoys the thrill of mountaineering, Strengell emphasizes the importance of teamwork for safety reasons. She acknowledges the risks of extreme weather in mountaineering, sharing an instance where she fell into a crevasse but did not feel fear until after the incident.

Back home in Helsinki, she is a proud grandmother, balancing her adventurous pursuits with family life and philosophical studies, focusing on expanding her worldview. With preparations for her next adventure always in mind, Strengell remains ready for whatever comes next.