I'm left with so many unforgettable experiences from my paddle expedition in Laos. It's difficult to convey them all without losing important nuances. However, what I thought of the most while paddling, was how to deal with the unknown. Coping with challenges I didn't expect, or wasn't fully prepared for.
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It's similar to today's global pandemic. We hear a lot of predictions, experts making statements and so on, but to a great extent, we simply don't know. The whole world is facing the unknown, for an uncertain amount of time.
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In times like this, we need to stay strong and united, and most importantly remember that no matter how long and treacherous the tunnel is, there's always light at the end of it.
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It'll be difficult, most certainly. Many will go though illness, or the misery of seeing loved ones suffer. Physically, mentally, financially. There's no sugar-coating it.
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However, no matter how much hardship we sustain, objectively, each and every one of us gets to decide how we interpret our current reality. Improvise and adapt. Always! Stay positive. Stay strong 💪
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Sending my warmest regards to my friends across the globe 🌎
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Please share with me how you are coping with the pandemic!
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#corona #globe #2020
I've lived and breathed the Nam Ou River in Northern Laos for the past 10 days. This expedition was about facing the unknown and I got what I asked for. I've paddled hundreds of rapids, pushing my packraft to its limits, and even though I tore a hole in it, it was nothing I couldn't fix.
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I've slept on top of my raft every single night, curled up in my sleeping bag. Some nights, the tropical thunderstorms were absolutely nuts, flashing up the sky non-stop while the rain was hammering the tarp I kept on top of me. Using the tarp as a blanket, instead of hanging it up, isn't as comfortable or practical as you'd think, but sometimes that's all you've got!
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Every night, I'd sit by the campfire reading a book while occasionally looking up at the thousands of shiny stars above me. Such tranquility in the wild. The buzzing sounds of the jungle only adds to the atmosphere. Disconnecting from the busy city life is definitely good for the mind!
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I'm sad to quit my expedition early, but due to the corona pandemic I see no other choice than trying to get back home as soon as possible. I'll do my best to catch a flight back home, if it's still possible.
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I'll share more from my paddle adventure later on!
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#towards #the #unknown #laos
New project coming up! After a rather cold Elbrus ascent, I decided to go somewhere warm for my next expedition 🇱🇦
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I'm off to Laos next week, where I plan to paddle the full length of the Nam Ou river, one of the Mekong tributaries. The source starts in the far north, near the mountainous Chinese border, and it connects with the mighty Mekong just north of Luang Prabang. After reaching the Mekong, I plan to paddle all the way down to Thailand, making a complete crossing of northern Laos! It's roughly 700 km and I have no idea how long it'll take to paddle 😀
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More updates coming soon!
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Let me know if you've heard of someone ever paddling the Nam Ou river from its source before!
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#paddle #packraft #laos
Yesterday, I completed a solo winter ascent of Elbrus (5642m)! From a mountaineer's perspective, Elbrus is an easy walk-up in high season and during good weather. However, in winter, this mountain can really throw some unpleasant weather in your face, something I surely got to experience.
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This must be one of very few mountains where I don't have a single photo from the summit. I reached the top in full whiteout conditions, strong westerly gale and a wind chill of -45c. Neither my camera nor my phone works in that temperature, and I'd rather not remove my mittens either. In that kind of weather, everything turns into a complicated task.
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It's a high risk endeavor going up Elbrus alone in bad winter weather. I would have preferred going up in sunny weather and less wind, but sometimes you just decide to go for it. At least I got my February dose of adrenalin 😁🎿❄
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#ad Thanks @milrab.no for kitting me up so I could stay warm 🤙
My Elbrus winter ascent is proving to be an interesting challenge. My skis can only take me up to about 4400m, above that is just a continuous ice field all the way up to 5000m. The steeper sections really require solid crampon work, especially when going solo and unroped.
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For a winter ascent, you need close to perfect weather for a summit push. I've had great weather for my acclimatization days, but it's taking a turn for the worse. I'm aiming to summit Friday or Saturday, but as of now it's a 50/50 chance at best. If the winds push above 40-50 kph, it's simply too risky walking on the ice alone. If I fall, it's game over. Even with an ice axe, I wouldn't rely on self arrest to stop a fall.
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Always keep pushing, but avoid being reckless! Let's see how this turns out 🤙
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#elbrus #winter #summit
