Expedition Loap Solo 2006
česká verze Crossing of the largest European glacier Vatnajökull - solo and unsupported
EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT
When selecting equipment, I always consider suitability of a product for particular expedition as the most important factor. During the whole traverse of Vatnajökull glacier, I will have to endure all kinds of different weather conditions. Using the right garments, or more precisely, material of which the piece of clothing is made, has an incredible impact on the whole expedition success.
Another, no less important, factor is a quality of products manufacturing and their well-considered design. During the four weeks spent on the glacier, every single piece of equipment will go thorough a loading test. I have to surpass a number of lava beds, broken ice tongues or almost 150km across the glacier Vatnajökull itself. I will be going at least 10 hours a day and so the pressure on single pieces of equipment will be great. Without high-quality manufactured equipment I would never attempt a similar crossing which will be carried out without any support and, therefore, without any chance of replacing anything.
By well-considered design I didn’t mean, of course, a look but for example essentially placed venting on a jacket, simplicity… how long it takes to set up a tent or a stove with minimal heat loss. For the first sight, these are just details. However, those details can be beneficial in my comfort and also severity of the whole journey.
Some pieces of my equipment, such as an outdoor jacket Humi Swan Heavy or mittens from RBH are made by custom order. Most of the equipment, above all due to my obsession with perfection, has gone through a few modifications.
In the end, it is not important to have all that will be needed but not to have what will not be needed!
