Tarfala Research Station, SE

Research station (TRS) is a centre for glaciological and alpine research at Stockholm University, Sweden.Â

Contact

TRS Director: Nina Kirchner: nina.kirchner[at]natgeo.su.se
TRS Station manager: Annika Granebeck: annika.granebeck[at]natgeo.su.se

Location

Tarfala Research Station is located at 1130 m a.s.l. in the high-alpine Kebnekaise Mountains, northern Sweden. It is Sweden’s only research station in a high alpine arctic environment surrounded by glaciers. The nearest settlement is the Sami village Nikkaluokta, 24 km southeast of the station. There is a mountain tourist station (STF Kebnekaise fjällstation) ca 7 km from TRS, and a tourist hut (STF Tarfalastuga) ca 1 km from TRS.

Website

https://www.su.se/tarfala-research-station/
https://interact-gis.org/Home/Station/2

Facilities

TRS is usually open from the end of March to the beginning of May, and from the end of June to mid- September. All outdoor activities, including transport to and from the station, are dependent on variable mountain weather. It is therefore recommended that you include extra time in your stay to allow for periods when fieldwork and/or transport may not be feasible. TRS can accommodate up to 28 guests at a time, in 2- and 4-person bedrooms in houses with running water and dry and/or incineration toilets.

All meals are included – breakfast and dinner are served in the galley, lunch is usually a packed lunch for all heading into the field. There is no possibilities for self-house hold. TSR has two showers in the service building, where also the sauna is located. Tarfalajokk runs by the service house, providing refreshing cold water between sauna rounds. TRS has a modern lecture hall seating ca. 30 persons, a mechanical workshop and a simple wet-laboratory. Please contact the station manager if you want to use the workshop and/or the laboratory. Mobile phone reception is unreliable around Tarfala, but usually works relatively well in the Tarfala valley if you use the operators Telia or Tele2.

TRS location in an Arctic and alpine setting far from the nearest road and medical assistance, imposes particular requirements when it comes to safety, both during fieldwork and at the station. TRS therefore has safety and etiquette rules which shall be followed by everyone at the station, both staff and visitors, so that people can experience our beautiful work place in a safe and enjoyable way. TRS safety regulations are based on recommendations from the Swedish Consumer Agency (a government agency whose task it is to safeguard consumer interests) and have been produced in collaboration with representative from the Swedish Mountain Rescue.

Availability for access

Time frame for access preparation

Time frame to receive the documentation from RI users (after access is granted): 
2 weeks.
Time frame for logistic arrangements to access the RI:
TRS is open during March and April, and between late June and mid-September. Applications for the spring season (March-April) should be sent in at latest during November if they involve snowmobile driving, and otherwise in January. Applications for the summer season (June-September) should be sent in at latest during February.Â

Permits, licenses and training

Permits and licenses required: TRS is located in an area where the use of snowmobiles is not permitted. Exceptions can be granted by the County Administrative Board Norrbotten (Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten), and TRS applies annually for an exemption. If you plan to conduct spring field work (March-April) including the use of snowmobiles for transportation, you need to contact TRS in November the year before your planned field work. TRS will then include your project in TRS’ annual application to the County Administrative Board Norrbotten. Working under a TRS exemption ensures that all regulations and best practices as established by TRS and the local Sami communities regarding winter work and travel are respected and followed. It is not recommended to submit an individual application to the County Administrative Board Norrbotten if your project is based at or supported by TRS. TRS can not provide snowmobiles for external projects, but can assist the external project lead in renting snowmobiles (and sledges if needed) from local enterprises in Nikkaluokta, Kiruna or Abisko, and transporting them to TRS.
Certification or training required from RI users and Risk assessment and/or HSE requirements  The PI is responsible for making sure that the entire group reads the TRS Safety info & station etiquette (addressing risk assessment and HSE requirements) and that they all sign the TRS Safety agreement when arriving at TRS. 

Medical guidelines

No formal requirements, but users need to have physical capacity to work in a remote arctic, mountain environment. Any known illnesses/allergies/medication need/disabilities/etc. need to be communicated in the application. The station manager will evaluate the extended risks this might entail when staying in a remote location such as TRS. Any dietary requirements must be included in your application. TRS may not be able to cater to all needs and if so, guests need to bring their own food.Â