EN: There are several objectives to this double world first expedition I want to reach:
Main goals:
- Make the first complete unsupported crossing of Iceland from the extreme North to extreme South points (highest to lowest lattitude). Do the journey twice: once during the summer (not too hard), once during the winter (very hard). It will be a solo trek. No vehicle to help, no fooddrops or preplaced foodcaches, no use of huts, off-track as much as possible, no asking for weather information, . I will rely only on what I bring from the start. I have to feel alone on the island. I will have outgoing communication (to blog/voicemail to avoid direct talking to someone) and only talking to someone for emergency or short live interview.
- Personal goal is learning: Measure myself against the extreme elements/factors: wind, snow, cold, dehydration, exhaustion, loneliness, heat, rain, hail, whiteouts, "blackouts", ... and hopefully no waking up of volcanoes. This in order to learn how to survive or find solutions to problems while being confronted to these elements.
- Perform scientific research on how my body/mental will evolve during both solo trips: Stress and decision taking in extreme environments is a recent subject being studied to prepare future astronauts who will be exploring Mars and beyond. How will I be affected by walking during the summer in full daylight/twilight and during the winter in the darkness/twilight. The Iceland Winter Trek part will be my third contribution to the programme of Cécile Vallet (University Paris XIII, Maison des Sciences de l'homme)
- Icelandic volcanoes being in the light of the world during the last years, an educational school program will be developed to address the following 3 topics: Continental drift, geology of volcanoes, specific Icelandic volcanoes. Schools around the world will be able to follow the expedition, get inspired about exploration, geology and learning why Iceland is important to try to find the origins of life and the analogies to Mars exploration.
- Develop the lightweight livable pulka ISSNIGILL (ice-snail). With a fast set up, stronger than a tent, the issnigill would help polar scientists or other explorers to be safer and survive storms. Numerous expeditions fail because of destroyed tents by wind or fire. The device means increased safety for the people and the material (ice-cores, bio-samples).
Other goals:
- Shoot HD to make the documentary "The Dark side of Iceland"
- Take several photos from defined landscapes during both seasons at exactly the same place to have a wonderful idea of the contrast between winter and summer. A photo exhibition "The Dark side of Iceland" will be organized in several countries interested by the concept. A photo book related to the exhibition could be printed. Remark: the winter challenge will be very hard for photography as I won't have much light. A third supported trip in later winter (March) will probably be added with the only purpose of taking photos to complete the contrasted landscape photos.
- Take notes for a book and articles about the 2 trips.
FR: à traduire.
NL: te vertalen
NL: te vertalen
