Expedition Loap Solo 2006

At last on the way » 8. 8. 2006 at 10:01

I was doing nothing in last few days and it was starting to have a negative influence on me. I’m really happy that finally, things have begun to get moving now! My day started a little bit earlier than usual – at 3am. I’m not sure if it’s a habit or my placidity but I slept quite well. No dreams and no worries about what is awaiting me in the days ahead. I got up automatically and indulged myself in one of the last showers (on the glacier, I will have to manage with only snow) then checked for the last time if I really packed everything that I will need. Just to make sure, I put my pair of skis right by the front door. The skis are absolutely necessary for the traverse and it would be disaster to leave them at home!

As always, my brother took me to the airport. I’m actually waiting in Ruzyne Airport’s hall right now for my departure. While I still can, I’m sending text messages to my friends and calling my mom and dad. Of course, I’m promising for several times that I will come back alright. To be honest, as far as the safety is concerned, I’d never left for any trip better equipped! When I recon my first winter trips to Tatra Mountains I have to laugh. I didn’t even have a cell phone that time! Today I have with me not only the cell phone but also the satellite phone and PLB – special radio which, in case of emergency, will send an SOS signal with my exact position through satellites. It has built in GPS etc. Of course, no technology can guarantee that nothing will happen and I will not be in danger. If something still does happen though, I have done my best to minimize the consequences.

I’m flying through Kodan and around noon (two hours difference compared to CR) I should be at Keflavik Airport in Iceland. I will have to pick up my sled which I hope have made it safely to Iceland already. I will take a bus to Reykjavik then which is approximately one hour away. You will find out what happens next from another message that will be sent from Iceland.

In the end, I would like to thank several people and sponsors without whom this expedition would never happen: Sarka Prokopova and LOAP company – general sponsor of this expedition, Vitek Hnevkovsky and HUMI Outdoor store for financial support and providing top clothing, ENERVIT and Mr Palata for supplying me with most of expedition food and also for great help with the right diet, travel agency Adventura for giving me a great deal on the flight ticket to Iceland and also for providing and covering my return trip to CR. I should not forget an incredible support from my media partner ceskenoviny.cz, culture portal “bavte se” (Have fun!), climbing magazine Montana, radio programme Cesky Rozhlas and Radiozurnal broadcasted from Pardubice.