Tim & Lena Conlan founded Crossing Latitudes in 1995/1996. Over the years we have promoted responsible enjoyment of outdoor pursuits all over the world while instilling an appreciation of different cultures and lifestyles. Our trips have always been an outdoor and a cultural experience wrapped into one.
We have been camping for a living for a very long time. Tim since he took his NOLS instructors course 1978 and Lena her NOLS instuctor course in 1986. We have done some fantastic paddling and hiking around the world but now it is time for a new chapter. Today Crossing Latitudes hosts NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses in both the US, Scandinavia and Europe. Lena who is an WEMT teach many of these courses and Tim enjoys winter skiing in Montana and wood work in the summer.
If you would like some one to guide you in Scandinavia please contact us – it is not that hard to convince us to organize a unique trip. We also have strong connections with different Adventure companies in Scandinavia with extensive educational backgrounds and expedition experience.
Lena Conlan, Co-Owner and Co-Founder
Lena is from Sweden. She has been active in outdoor related activities since childhood. Her family operated Camp Sparreviken – a YMCA sailing and canoeing camp on the Swedish west coast.
Lena has a teaching degree from the University of Umeå. Her love of travel and adventure drew her to the U.S. 1985 – where she ended up teaching for NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School). After years of travel covering four different countries as co-ordinator of NOLS sea kayaking program, it seemed only natural to return to Scandinavia and start her own adventure business. Lena is the master planner behind the wide variety of activities and outdoor education Crossing Latitudes has offered the last 20 years.
Now a days Crossing Latitudes and Lena is sponsoring / hosting NOLS Wilderness Medicine Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) courses all over the world. Lena is a Wilderness EMT and part of the Bozeman Search & Rescue team. Lena has been teaching for NOLS Wilderness Medicine since year 2000.
Even though Crossing Latitudes doesn’t offer trips any more Lena is not done with guiding. She works with other companies around the world and is more than happy to plan a trip for you. info@crossinglatitudes.com
Tim Conlan, Co-Owner and Co-Founder
Tim is from the U.S. He’s lived near the Rocky Mountains most of his life. Tim met Lena in 1986 while teaching sea kayaking expeditions in Baja California, Mexico for NOLS. He had been working for NOLS as an outdoor educator since the late 70’s. During that time he’d taught just about every skill type they offered, from caving and climbing to kayaking and skiing. He developed the NOLS sea kayaking Instructor course and authored their instructor manual.
Tim also helped to create materials and teaching practices for the Federally sponsored conservation program “Leave No Trace”.
After guiding for most of his life Tim is now happy by spending more time in Bozeman. He loves skiing and biking in the mountains. Bridger Bowl Ski Area is his second home. He is also creative in his wood shop. Visit his web site: http://timconlanwoodworks.com
Åsa Hultman Pape
Åsa grew up on a YMCA camp on the west coast of Sweden, along with her sister; Crossing Latitudes founder; Lena Conlan. Åsa has a degree in Physical Education and Swedish Language and worked in Swedish high schools for many years. When not out back country skiing Åsa can be seen working as a Landscaper in and around Bozeman, Montana. Åsa has worked with Tim and Lena since they started Crossing Latitudes in 1996. She has paddled in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, Honduras, Greece and Mexico. Åsa married Jay Pape in Bozeman in December 2007 and is calling Bozeman, MT her home. Åsa also teaches for NOLS Wilderness Medicine both in Europe and the USA.
Fredrik Bistedt
Fredrik grew up in the south part of Sweden but lives nowadays outside Gothenburg (second largest city in Sweden and located on the West Coast) together with his family, wife and two daughters. The interest for outdoor activities began at early age in the Boy Scouts and has ever since grown stronger and stronger. Since Fredrik is raised by the sea, and today living in the sailing Mecca of Sweden, water is and have always been a big part of his life; sailing small dingy’s to big sailing vessel and of course sea kayaking. Fredrik have a passion for leading younger kids both in the mountains, at sea and mountain biking around Gothenburg. Fredrik combines his Wind Power engineering profession with outdoor guiding. Fredrik owns Scandinavian Experiences who Lena guides for him now and then. Fredrik is a NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFR grad.
Malin Thomasson
From the forest and lakes of Värmland (Wermland) she moved to Östersund in Sweden to be close to mountains and creeks. Being outdors is an essential part of Malin’s life and the she likes paddling, tour skiing, randonée, snowmobile, caving, tour riding etc. Malin is studying to become a nurse and take great interest in the wilderness medicine. Her goal is to combine professional nursing with teaching wilderness medicine and guiding in the outdoors. Malin became a NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructor in 2015.
Roope Roine
Roope has been teaching and guiding mountain activities in Europe, Himalaya and Greenland for the past 25 years. He’s other passion is to guide and teach sea kayaking – which he’s done in 15 different countries! Finland is his home base but the world is his play-ground. Roope is a NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructor and teaches courses in both Scandinavia and all over Europe. Roope has a WEMT certification – Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician. Roope also owns and operates his own guiding business Moln. Roope speak fluent Swedish, Finnish and English as well as good Norwegian and Spanish.
For great trips please visit: http://moln.fi/en/trips/start/
Elias Sjöberg
Elias Sjöberg is our newest member of the NOLS and Crossing Latitudes “family”. Elias is from Eksjö in Småland, Sweden and grew up on a farm. Elias has been working as ski patrol in Säfsen the last few winters. He is a graduate of the Älvdalen Utlbildningscenter Outdoor Ed program. Elias have some cool back country experience – like crossing Madagascar by foot. Elias has completed both the NOLS Instructors course and the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Instructors Training course in Lander, Wyoming. Elias is now teaching NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses all over the world. Elias is a Wilderness EMT.
Elias also owns and operates KBK Adventures.
