Expedition Loap Solo 2006

FIRST DAY ON THE WAY » 11. 8. 2006 at 8:46

I’m really curious how many ice-creams I will have to buy after I come back! (see message from yesterday). I hope I won’t have to break my piggy bank for that!

I have first day of marching behind me so I should take a minute and explain what data – position, distance and temperature – below the title of every message mean. Position: two numbers describing my global position at the moment. I obtain this data from my GPS unit and it pictures the spot which I reached that day. With special ruler, I transfer both numbers into the map every evening where a number of points has been created indicating the exact route of the traverse. It helps me not only to plan the the route and course of the track for next day but at the same time, I’m creating a route which I could backtrack in case I need to return. By the way, I carry two GPS units with me, in case one of them breaks. Both units together with my satellite phone and personal beacon (PLB – see expedition equipment page) are items which I never lay aside. I keep them close to my body for safety reasons. Distance: It says how many kilometers straight-lined I’ve done from the last camp. The true distance which I cover each particular day is usually greater. Temperature: I measure the temperature with my watch and this data field is more just for curiosity. Honestly, it is also least important for me. If it’s cold it’s cold, if it’s warm it’s warm. I don’t need to know more.

So now back to today. I chose to start the traverse in area called Lakagígar where a large eruption and accompanying lava flow occurred around 1780. The area became popular tourist destination and every summer a terrain bus comes here and brings tourists eager to see a bit of moon landscape. It is advantegous for me as I can easily and quite cheaply get near Vatnajokull glacier that way. Departure from Kirk is at 9am daily. At 8.30pm I’m already waiting at the bus stop wondering how the bus driver will react after I explain to him that I need just one way ticket and a storage room for half of *Kaufland – meaning my traveling storage-fridge-all-in-one with food for a month. In short, the driver askes me about three times where I want to go and what I intend to do over there. When I explain it to him for the third time, he goes to the gas station to ask a shop assistant if I really mean it. I didn’t quite understand but I did get my ticket eventually. I can even load my sled!

It takes about three hours of bumpy ride to get to Laki. Unluckily, it’s raining and visibility is very poor, about 1 – 2 km. The driver is asking me again if I’m really going about to do Vatnajokull glacier traverse. After that, he walks away to talk to another guy. As I later find out, the guy is actually someone like a ranger in the us national parks. He watches over Laki crater area and guides tourists around the points of interests. I’m a bit shocked when this GUY offers to give me a ride a bit closer to the glacier. I never thought I would catch a ride in such place! After one hour we stop, say goodbye and I thank him for a few times. All of a sudden I’m standing here all alone (with half of Kaufland). I have to make three single trips, carrying 30 kg each time, before I can transport everything in direction where I suspect the glacier. In first trip I carry my tent so I can set it up and have a place to unload the rest of my stuff. I spend 6 hours total shuttling between the sled and the tent. Total distance covered – I am 1.8 km closer to the glacier (straight-lined from the spot where I was dropped off). In reality, I’ve done 10 km today. As a start, it’s not bad. However, compared to total distance it’s inconsiderable. At the moment, I’m not even thinking about it though.

* Kaufland is a chain of supermarkets in Europe.