My 20th expedition - Back to the Simpson Desert

EN: In 2008, I did my 4th expedition in Australia and actually my first 4 expeditions were in Australia. It was also the expedition that required the most preparation (permits, logistics, build a desert cart). And this while having a full time job and learning Russian during evenenings classes.

So I went, not knowing much about the Simpson Desert (who does really?) and I made history . To me a class 5 expedition. I made (with help) and a used desert cart as seen below. I said never again.

And in 2016 I went back to the Simpson Desert without a cart, so only with a backpack and I failed to reach Birdsville unsupported but made it to Poeppel Corner, a pointed I wanted to pass in 2008.

It's again 8 years later. It's also 20 years since the first time I visited Australia. So I decided to do a long and hard expedition for this anniversary. I'm going again: longer and harder. 

Also with more equipment to document better. There are also scientific projects.

The desert cart as you can see has new tyres and is on its way to Australia. I arrived in Sydney yesterday.

You can find more and follow the expedition on  the Simpson Desert Trek website. If you have instagram, a follow is always appreciated.

And for the Belgians: Happy National Day!!!

FR : En 2008, j'ai effectué ma quatrième expédition en Australie et, en fait, mes quatre premières expéditions ont eu lieu en Australie. C'est aussi l'expédition qui a nécessité le plus de préparation (permis, logistique, construction d'une charrette pour le désert). Et cela tout en ayant un travail à plein temps et en apprenant le russe pendant les cours du soir.

J'y suis donc allé, sans trop connaître le désert de Simpson (qui le connaît vraiment ?) et je suis entré dans l'histoire. Pour moi, une expédition de classe 5. J'ai fabriqué (avec de l'aide) une charrette d'occasion pour le désert, comme on peut le voir ci-dessous. J'ai décidé de ne plus jamais recommencer.

Et en 2016, je suis retourné dans le désert de Simpson sans chariot, donc seulement avec un sac à dos et je n'ai pas réussi à atteindre Birdsville sans soutien mais j'ai réussi à atteindre Poeppel Corner, un point que je voulais passer en 2008.

C'est à nouveau le cas 8 ans plus tard. Cela fait également 20 ans que j'ai visité l'Australie pour la première fois. J'ai donc décidé de faire une expédition longue et difficile pour cet anniversaire. J'y retourne : plus longtemps, plus durement et avec plus d'équipement pour mieux documenter. Il y a aussi des projets scientifiques.

Le chariot du désert, comme vous pouvez le voir, a de nouveaux pneus et est en route pour l'Australie. Je suis arrivé à Sydney hier.

Vous pouvez en savoir plus et suivre l'expédition sur le site web de Simpson Desert Trek. Si vous avez instagram, un follow est toujours apprécié.

Et pour les Belges : Bonne fête nationale !!!

World First on Salar de Uyuni and Coipasa in Bolvia

EN: I made it in Bolivia on my second attempt to traverse the 2 Bolivians Salars Uyuni and Coipasa. The experience gained in Death Valley and the Simpson Desert helped. I didn't even train at all between the 4 weeks from the end of the trek in Australia and the start in Bolivia. A lot are now asking me "What's Next?" Well, I have over 20 ideas but nothing planned and I dunno which one will be next. For sure it's gonna be in the winter, cold or wet (kayak)


FR: J'ai réussi à ma deuxième tentative la traverse des 2 Salars de Bolivie Uyuni et Coipasa. L'expérience acquise dans la Vallée de la Mort et le Désert de Simpson ont aidé. Je ne me suis meme pas entraîné pendant les 4 semaines qui ont séparées la fin du trek en Australie et lé début ce celui en Bolivie. Pas mal de personnes me demandent "Et la suite?" Eh bien, j'ai plus de 20 idées mais rien de planifié et je ne sais pas lequel sera le projet suivant. Ce sera en hiver, froid ou mouillé (kayak).

Salar Trek Bolivia Expedition

EN: 3 years ago, I made an attempt to walk unsupported from Sabaya to Uyuni in Bolivia, across the salt flats. My route rather central via Isla Pescado and Isla Incahuasi. I abandoned due to a lack of water to finish the last +-90km. I was too slow. My main problem was my too heavy equipment. I'm flying today to Bolivia and in 48h or so I should be North of both Salars of Coipasa and Salar de Uyuni.

FR: Il y a 3 ans, j'ai fait une tentative de marche en autonomie complète entre Sabaya et Uyuni en Bolivie, sur les lacs salés. Ma route était centrale via Isla Pescado et Isla Incahuasi. J'ai abandonné à cause du manque d'eau pour terminer les +- 90km restants. J'étais trop lent. Mon problème principal était un équipement trop lourd. Je décolle ce soir vers la Bolivie et dans 48 heures environ je devrais être au Nord des deux Salar de Coipasa et Salar de Uyuni.

Fuck Up Night Bolivian Salars

EN: At Brussels Fuck Up Night Volume XII, I told the lessons learned in the failed expedition across the Bolivian Salars in 2013.

FR: Au Brussels Fuck Up Night Volume XII, j'ai expliqué les leçons apprises lors de l'échec de mon expédition dans les Salars Boliviens en 2013.

This story will be featured in the book of Kira (Antiheroes).

Death Valley Trek video

EN: I finally found time to make a 2 min trailer of last year's expedition in Death Valley. I had to watch 2 hours of rush videos, edit and select a suitable music. Next step is to write the story and hire an editor.

FR: J'ai finalement trouvé du temps pour réaliser cette courte bande annonce de l'expédition dans la Vallée de la mort. A partir de 2 heures de rush vidéos, monter et sélectionner une musique. Prochaine étape, écrire l'histoire et engager un monteur.

Announcing Simpson Desert Trek 2

EN: After 8 years my first trek, I plan to go back to the Simpson desert for another small crossing without a cart this time. All details will be on the Desert Expedition website. Start in July.

FR: Huit ans après mon premier trek, je veux retourner au désert de Simpson pour une petite traversée sans charrette cette fois-ci. Tout est sur le site l'expédition du désert. Départ en Juillet.

Death Valley desert trek

Media and press: My Skype is LONCKELPH or email me with your full details. You can call me on +32 492 911 250 Videos and Photos in DROPBOX

Map of the Route - Start: 1943m/6375ft | End: 145m/475ft 

The description and objective of this expedition Death Valley Trek.

Day 0 (29 Oct): Took the bus from Las Vegas to Beatty. There is then no transport to DV so I hitch hiked. It's illegal in Nevada but I had no other option... and I walked and walked in my F***** jeans and for 4 hours no one took me. At the border with California, finally... but no hourray as they dropped me at a turnoff still 19 miles from Furnace Creek. I has to walk another 2 hours before Chinese tourists took me. I'm now sunburnt :( Arrival in Death Valley Furnace Creek 4.20 pm so I got my CLIF BAR package. But arrived at 5.02pm at Farabees Jeep Rentals where they have perhaps an "expensive" solution to drop me at the start. I'll take expensive. I have to go.

I repacked and tomorrow I hope to be dropped North with a 1,5 day delay. Grrrr as the moon is not full anymore. The good sign is that the 6 hours of walking on the sealed road -in jeans- were OK with a good wind and I only had 1 liter to survive. Bad thing is I have a small blister and face sunburnt. One day at a time, one day at a time. Tomorrow evening, (so  Saturday morning in Europe) you should have the daily update written by Jeremy. I will call him every day at the end of my day on his mobile phone. 23.43... off to bed in my MSR Tent. The wind is very strong. The temperature is perfect.

Day 1 (30 Oct): 37°15'23.7"N, 117°37'04.9"W 

Jessie drops me at 1.30 pm. I film and leave at 2 pm. My aim is to pass the mountain and the deep canyon before darkness. What a pleasure to start walking in the desert. After the hurry of preparation and the difficulties to reach the starting point it is a really important to finally being immersed oneself in this great environment.

I crossed the Last Chance Range with no major difficulties (except few falls due to the backpack weight). Then I started to walk through the canyons.

As foreseen, after a short night I will start walking during the night thanks to the moon light.

Day 2 (31 Oct): 37°04'59"N, 117°29'13"W 

So far, so good. Typical trekking day in the Death Valley : hot (very hot) and rattlesnake (my first !)
Due to the sun and heat, I had to stop during 3 hours in the middle of the day. My only protection was the mirror canvas of OutdoorLogic. Works like Charms.
But the real bad news of the day was the discovering of a very small leak in one of my water tank. So I spend some time to fix it and split the water in the other tanks. Fortunately I succeeded rather well and everything is ready for tomorrow...

Day 3 (01 Nov): 36°52'10"N, 117°17'34"W 

Whatever the expedition, the third day is always difficult. You start suffering of strain, both physical and psychological. Moreover I feel a little bit sick due to a wrong mix of salt and water in one of my water tank and exhausted by the heat. I just can't cool down even at evening when it's only 10C. What's wrong with my body, my heart is pumping super fast. I thought several time to abandon and will decide tomorrow. I'll take time to have rest and think about my options.

Day 4 (02 Nov): 36°40'46"N, 117°9'29"W 

I decide to abandon, the salty water makes me not sweat at all so I am overheating and could die from a heatstroke. Fortunately, each day is different from the previous one ! After walking few hours, I decide to walk over a small dune to have a different outlook of the valley and my exit point at Stovepipe Wells. It was the best idea I had for a long time. Indeed, I saw close from my position small 3 small puddles of fresh -dirty and greeny- water due to the last (and unusual) extremely rain of last week. I replaced 10 liters of my salty water with the green water, mixed it all and added enough micropurs. The process took a lot of time an then I had to wait -and rest- for the water to get purified and drinkable. Twice a day, I remove my shoes and add bandage to locations prone to blisters. I'm ready for a "new" start, the morale is on top.
The second part of the day was marked by an extremely strong wind and little sand storms. Its power was really impressive but left no damages on my tent although it was made flat by the wind with me inside

Day 5 (03 Nov): 36°29'37"N, 116°58'24"W 

I progress slowly, too slowly but I keep my objective for the moment.The sunrise happens just at the mesquite sanddunes, the highlight of this trip with the 360 photo below. I was supposed to trace the dry river in the Valley, but the field is completely chaotic:  it's like an inextricable tangle of blocs made of mud and salt. Very hard to cross over. It's remind my island trek on lava field...
I have to turn back and join the shore of the "dry lake" near the mountain. Following the shore and its rocks during the evening darkness.

Day 6 (04 Nov): 36°11'20"N, 116°52'23"W 

Finally I reach a "good" field : almost flat and stable. Now I walk straight South with a good moral.
I think I should have enough water and food supply to make it. More news tomorrow...
The center of the lake is muddy at times but I only get max deep to my ankles at times. I have to learn reading the different colors of sands. White can mean hard or sink through it. Only cracked ground means dry and firm. I heard a story of this man walking across it and he went through the crust deep until the head. He couldn't move and died. I see a few tracks of people having crossed the lake East-West but I'm the only crazy (idiot?) going full South across.

Day 7 (05 Nov) : 35°55'14"N, 116°41'58"W
Good progression today. I really experience what desert and desolation means... : sand, bushes, and salt... This desert has 20+ various terrains. I keep walking !

Day 8 (06 Nov) : 35°55'14"N, 116°41'58"W
I'm close to the finish line ! The backpack is lighter than ever and it gives me wings. The field is definetly not a highway but it is better than yesterday. I take few risks by choosing to walk close to rocks field and small canyons during the dark with my tiny headlight but it paid. It was a gain of 4 or 5 miles of walking for the day. Next news at the finish line I hope.

Day 9 (7 Nov) : 35°37'48"N, 116°17'25"W
ARRIVED ! I succeeded in trekking the entire Death Valley unsupported.
9 calendar days but a Total time of 7 days - 23 hours - 40 minutes. Come on, 8 days.

Brief conclusion.

I am so happy to have made it. My last expedition was 2 years ago in 2013 and it was a failed one. That failed expedition will have a second attempt in September 2016. Today my feet are still in pain, I believe I have a small infection as my calf was swollen for the past days but it's better now. My right kneecap hurts, perhaps a small fracture but I wait a few more days before going to see a doctor.
DVNP is still possible in 6 days if you are an athlete and do the following:
* less water (25,5 l) and food (6,5kg) at the start
* go starting with a 85% coming new moon, so you have a full moon mostly all night long for all days. (I started with an 85% leaving full moon).
* Less camera gear, no tripod etc... to save another 5kg or so.
* Walk really 18-20 hours per day using the moon and headlight torch. I have an average of 16 hours per day with a 3 days where I didn't walk for about 2/3 hours.

Even a return trip unsupported is possible I think in 11 days with day 6 being a run to the end with no pack for 2*30 miles or so.
The last left big first in DV is to do my route during the summer June, July or August. It is possible but it needs a lot of back and forth moving loads of water.

Daily distances (real):
D1: 11,6km - D2: 24km - D3 : 31,6km - D4 : 25,4km  - D5 : 29,5km - D6 : 38,5km - D7 : 35,4km - D8 : 31,3km - D9 : 21km = 248,3km.

Thanks to:
Advisors: Ray Zahab, Marshall Ulrich, Régis Belleville, The DV Rangers.
Thomas de Dorlodot who let me use his Garmin GPS.
My home team and adventurer friends, friends: Jeremy Roumian and Guillaume Bruyr. Maud C. Mom, Dad, Sis, The Explorers Club,
Special thanks to Outback Logic to allow me to test their sunreflecting fabric.
People who took me hitch hiking: Employees of StovePipe Wells, a Chinese tourist couple, Linda from Sweden, JJ Graham -while we were driving she lost the brakes of her car, we could be dead- and Mark and his wife from Indianapolis. Special Thanks to Jared for the sandbuggy ride.
The people who took me hitch hiking: Linda, Mark & wife, Jessie, JJ Graham.

Gear Sponsors

Death Valley preparations and equipment

28 October
It is today I wanted to start the expedition but it is hard to find a way to get to DV (Death Valley). I take a bus Las Vegas (8am) to Beatty (Nevada) and then I'll hitch hike to Furnace Creek (DV) where my Clif Bar package is and where I'll meet the rangers. Normally in the afternoon I'll meet with Farabees Jeep Rentals and try to find a way to get to the start during the evening or early morning on Friday as I want to start at 5am.

27 October
I just flew from NYC to Las Vegas. What to do today? Shop for food, prepare the maps, read the GPS manual and insert GPS points. And find a way to get to DV tomorrow. Find also a way to be dropped at the Northern part of the National Park for the start at 5 am on the 29th.

26 October
I found and bought a 630gram and high tripod and visited the Freedom tower. At 8 am I called the rangers and at 6 pm I attended a lecture at the Explorers Club. Clif Bar just accepted to send me bars for the expedition and that is really great. Another company that believes making a difference in this expedition.

25 October
It's midnight in NYC and my day isn't finished. I spent the morning checking some info about the hurricane Patricia. During the afternoon, the sun came out and it was time for training: walking with a heavy backpack in NYC which is very enjoyable because I actually visited at the same time and walked in areas of New Jersey and Wallstreet. I took a ferry to Staten Island and back to see the statue of liberty. I entered a shop and bought some extra small electronics.

24 October
Finally some sleep. this morning I went to visit my cousin (works for OMEGA). He showed me his office and we talked expeditions, NASA, Bertrand Piccard and James Bond (all sponsored by OMEGA). During the afternoon, more preparations. Next shop in a pharmacy and buy a lightweight small tripod.

23 October
After a long night to prepare my pack and a 30 min sleep, my alarm clock told me it was time to go to Brussels airport and fly to New York. In big Apple my first stop was the Explorers Club where I got my packages arrived: tent, trekking poles, sleeping mat, satellite phone SIM card (activated successfully). No idea there was a drink for members on Fridays and a reception for Oceans protection and leading explorer Anne Doubilet, who I was happy to meet again. During the evening I was invited at a friend's place and my smartphone "died" again. No way to turn it off again. I think I know why and perhaps in 24h it will work again.


22 October 2pm.
I worked 19 hours straight yesterday. My brain was painful I had to sleep. Makes me understand I need more sleep and during the trek I'll need to sleep 6 hours the first 2-3 nights otherwise I will become a zombie -not being able to think properly- and make deadly decisions. Sleep deprivation is my biggest fear in this challenge. The accumulation of stress will be so intense.
I ordered/bought a new tent & sleeping mat. Thanks to a good discount from CascadeDesigns. A new MSR and a new Thermarest. I trust these products eyes closed as I have already older/heavier models used in all my expeditions Australia expeditions and treks.
I ordered an Iridium SIM card +75min and all my stuff should arrive in NYC (like me) tomorrow.
Hotels booked. Still need to find transport, a light tripod and to replace my stolen GoPro.
I'm off to buy new hiking trail shoes and socks. My parents come to see me later today.
I even had a job interview this morning. Seriously, I might be the only person in the world doing job interviews 24h before leaving for another continent. Crap. How am I gonna get to the airport by the way ?
I went to decathlon to by some small equipment including a new pair of trekking shoes. I'll use them in NYC.

21 October
My Millet equipment has arrived. To celebrate this here is a 360 photo of my room. On the table I'm like "what electronics and cables do I need?". Next finding a hotel, transport to get to DV and by socks and new trekking shoes. Re-contact several brands for more items and print maps. Another big day with a JCI event tonight to network and eat well.

20 October
LEKI USA was very reactive and will ship to me a new pair of carbon trekking poles. For those who never walked with (carbon) poles, well, if you find your own pace you can increase your speed a lot. In my case it's speed increase and safety. First the pain in my knees will be less but with a heavy pack, having a total of four legs prevents you many times per day to fall. And in the washouts, canyons and down the mountain at the start of the trek, it can just save my life. No LEKI, no go. Simple.

16 October
I received good news today Millet agreed to give me a PROLIGHTER MXP 60+20 backpack and a LTK600 (gram) sleeping bag. This weekend is the last one I will email potential partners to get equipment that is lighter to help in this Death Valley expedition crossing.

I just received a sample of fabric that a new company called Outback Logic. They are crowdfunding on Kickstarter for a new tent that is able to reflect most of the sunlight and keep you cool inside. See my test with light and laser beam below.

Failed expedition across the Salars

EN: Last year, I planned a 5th desert crossing expedition. The idea was to attempt to cross the major Bolivian salt flats. Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest and its little brother north is named Coipasa. Why brothers? Because they both come from the same lake Michin 40.000 years ago. To me it makes thus sense to cross them together.

Uyuni has been crossed by several parties unsupported in the past but no one attempted to cross the brothers. The distance is longer (minimum 250km on my chosen longest route) but it is also more complicated to use a cart to haul all supplies because there is a small mountain range to pass.

I planned 8 days and I did about 2/3 of the distance in 7 days. The reason why I was slow is that I started with a 56kg backpack (33 litres of water); which made me take my breath every 50m or so. On day 7 at 10 am I decided to abandon. I had 4.5 litres left, which was enough if I could manage to walk without sleeping until midday of day 8. I had thus 87km to go in a little over 24 hours. But my speed could not pass the 2km/h because of the pain in 2 large blisters at the heels. Moreover the salty air was making it so hard to breath. If you use your mouth, it becomes dry in a few seconds. You have to use your nose but the air made it bleed and clogged.

View the expedition route in GoogleMaps or Download for GoogleEarth.

On top of this, I had put too much salt in my water (750 gram in all of it) which gave a taste of seawater. During the expedition my body became saturated with salt. Everything I was drinking or eating left my body a few hours after. I did almost no sweat and so my body had troubles to evacuate the heat (but I urinated always a good clear colour so I believe I never was dehydrated). I even tested my urine to check the taste: it was also super salty, I believe my body was trying to evacuate the salt. On day 5, I found a pond of green fresh water used by animals. I took 8 litres of it, boiled them, removed 8 litres of my salty water and mixed 8 litres of very salty water with 8 litres of green fresh water. The result was a more drinkable water that I passed through my thermos filled of coca leaves to have a slight better taste. Problem is that I lost 3 hours and that during the boiling I used all my gas. The next evening meals consisted of figs. I threw away the food I could not use. On day 6 I almost collapsed of overheating at 3.30pm. I just had enough time to notice my shade and put my backpack upright on the salt maintained by my 2 walking sticks. It gave me 40*40cm2 of shade to lay my head in it and cool down for one hour.

There is a lot to learn about my mistakes but my route planning and ideas to cope for problems were good. I have compiled all good and bad ideas and will discuss it with doctors and other experienced adventurers specialized in dehydration. I hope in the next few years to make a second attempt.

FR: L'année dernière, j'ai planifié une 5ième expédition pour traverser un désert. L'idée était de tenter de traverser les principaux déserts de sel Boliviens. Le Salar d'Uyuni est le plus grand du monde et son petit frère au Nord s'appelle Salar de Coipasa. Pourquoi sont-ils frères? Parce qu'ils viennent tous deux du même lac Michin il y a environ 40 mille ans. Pour moi, cela a donc du sens de les traverser tous deux d'une traite.

Uyuni a été traversé lors de diverses expéditions, en autonomie complète, dans le passé mais personnes n'a tenté les deux frères. La distance est plus longue (250km minimum pour mon long trajet choisi) mais surtout plus compliqué car l'usage d'une charrette pour tirer toute son eau et vivres est quasi impossible puisqu'il faut passer une petite chaîne de montagne. 

J'ai planifié 8 jours et j'ai parcouru les 2/3 de la distance en 7 jours. La raison de mon abandon est simple. J'étais trop lent à cause de mon sac à dos de 56kg au départ (33 litres d'eau); ce qui me faisait reprendre mon souffle tous les 50m. Au 7ème jour à 10h, j'ai abandonné. Il me restait 4,5 litres d'eau, ce qui fût suffisant pour tenter les derniers 87 km sans dormir, jusqu'à midi du 8ème jour (Bonjour Pascal). Mais ma vitesse de marche était insuffisante. Impossible de dépasser les 2km/h à cause de la douleur causée par 2 grosses ampoules aux talons.

De plus l'air salin rendait la respiration difficile. Si on respire par la bouche, elle se sèche et on ne peut plus rien avaler, il n'y a plus de salive. Si on respire fort par le nez, il saigne, les croûtes se forment et le nez est bloqué.

De plus, j'ai mis trop de sel dans mon eau (750 grammes dans le tout) ce qui donnait un goût d'eau de mer. Lors de l'expédition mon corps s'est saturé en sel. Tout ce que je buvais ou mangeais quittait mon corps quelques heures plus tard. Je ne suais presque pas et donc mon corps avait de la difficulté à évacuer la chaleur (mais j'urinais toujours une couleur claire donc je crois ne jamais avoir été déshydraté). J'ai goûté mon urine mais elle était tout autant salée, je crois que mon corps essayait d'évacuer le surplus de sel. Au cinquième jour, j'ai trouvé un abreuvoir naturel d'eau verte utilisé par les animaux. J'en ai pris 8 litres que j'ai portés à ébullition. J'ai vidé ma réserve d'eau salée de la même quantité et mélangé les 2 liquides. Le résultat a donné une eau plus buvable que je passais en plus dans mon thermos rempli de feuilles de coca pour donner un goût supportable. Le problème dans mon entreprise est que j'ai perdu 3 heures et que j'ai utilisé tout mon fuel pour bouillir. Les repas du soir qui ont suivis se constituaient de figues. J'ai jeté la nourriture qui n'allait pas me servir. Le sixième jour, j'ai presque fait une syncope à cause d'une surchauffe vers 15h30. J'ai eu juste le temps de remarquer mon ombre, d'avoir l'idée de poser mon sac-à-dos droit maintenu par les bâtons de marche pour me donner 40*40cm2 d'ombre et de coucher ma tête dans ce carré afin de la refroidir pendant une heure.

Il y a beaucoup à apprendre de mes erreurs mais mon itinéraire et mes solutions aux problèmes étaient bons. J'ai résumé les bons et mauvais points et je vais en discuter avec des médecins et autres aventuriers spécialisés dans la déshydratation. J'espère dans peu d'années faire une seconde tentative.

South America Expedition map

UPDATE 1 June 2013.
Click here for updates on 2013 expeditions.
EN: In a nutshell, I will arrive in Colombia this Thursday and then I have 8 months  to move to Ushuaia by every means possible. This Into the Wild project starts! It's about having various experiences. I planned a few climbs and expeditions on the way:

Mountains: (1) Cotopaxi and (2) Chimborazo (Ecuador), (3) Huascaran (Peru) too expensive, not enough experience, (4) Sajama (Bolivia), (5) Ojos del Salado* (Chile). Perhaps I'll do others.

Expeditions:

TitiKayak expedition (A): world first attempt(?) to kayak around lake Titicaca. I can't find anyone who did it yet (as far as my searches go but still searching). I don’t know why. I want to take GPS positions of the shores locations + photos of the shore and background. This will create the first inventory of the lake’s shore that could be in the future compared like we do today with glacier’s photos taken in the past. Lake Titicaca is retreating of about 5 meters per year! Too many humans take water from the sources feeding the lake and of course polluting it. I might also do some scientifitic work also but still in discussion.
Salar Trek (B): Attempt to cross the 2 largest salars: Coipasa and Uyuni. This without any support at all. I think it’s possible in 8-9 days to cover the 250km starting with a pack of max 50kg (water, food, equipment). * On that mountain, I will attempt to locate the highest lake (located in Argentina) in the world. No one have even been near the lake to confirm it is a lake or give an exact GPS position or measure its circumference.
Patagonia Trek (C): If time I have I want to do a remote trek for a few weeks. Of course along my journey, I'll visit places, meet people and have a few surprises planned.

FR: En bref, j'arrive en Colombie ce jeudi et je me donne 8 mois pour atteindre Ushuaia par n'importe quel moyen. C'est le début de ce projet Into the Wild! Le but est de vivre des expériences diverses. J'ai planifié quelques sommets (voir plus haut) et expéditions.
TitiKayak (A): première mondiale en tentant le tour complet du lac Titicaca en kayak. J'ai pas pu trouver quelqu'un qui l''a fait, étonnant, non? Mais je continue de chercher. Je veux prendre des points GPS et des photos de la côte et du paysage en arrière plan afin de créer le premier inventaire photographique des bords du lacs; le but étant de pouvoir comparer dans le futur un peu comme on compare la fonte des glaciers aujourd'hui avec les photos du passé. Ce lac rétrécit de 5 mètres par an! La population grandit et prend plus d'eau des sources qui l'alimentent et la pollution devient un vrai problème. Il est possible que j'aide à des mesures scientifiques. C'est en discussion. 
Salar Trek (B): Tentative de traversée en autonomie complète des 2 grands salars: Coipasa and Uyuni. Je crois que c'est possible en 8-9 jours en partant avec un sac à dos de max 50kg (vivres, eau, équipement). *Sur ce sommet je veux trouver le plus haut lac du monde et le mesurer: position GPS exacte, circonférence... et confirmer son existence.
Patagonia Trek (C): Si j'ai assez de temps, je veux faire un trek engagé de plusieurs semaines en Patagonie.

Death Valley Trek press

TV / Video:
2015/11/19 - A fan at Wochit copy on DailyMotion
2016/01/18 - Death Valley Trek trailer
2019/01/08 - France2 Télématin (name cited at the end)

Radio:
2015/11/20 - Allo La Planète (FRA)

Press:
2015/11/18 - L'avenir (BEL)
2015/11/29 - Nord Eclair (BEL)
2015/12/07 - Het Belang Van Limburg (BEL)
2015/12/07 - Het Nieuwsblad (BEL)
2015/12/07 - De Standaard (BEL) Full text
2016/04 - Mens Journal, p20 (USA)

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Death Valley Trek expedition

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is one of the most known internationally national park of the USA. The name makes it appealing to be curious about it. The park is also famous for its Badwater race that starts there an finishes nearby the highest point of the US lower states. It hosts the lowest point of the USA at around -86m.

It’s extremely hot in the summer and it get to freezing point during the night in the winter. The “flying” distance between the North and the South is 228km (143 miles). The terrain is diverse with shrubs, washouts, riverbeds, sand, salt flats and dry flats. It’s a beauty for any desert lover.

Objective

Walk solo and unsupported (no resupply of food nor water) the estimated 250km walking route from North to South. I will film myself with a small camera and make a FREE small 15 minute web documentary.

Why this Route?

Starting north is starting at a high elevation and finishing at a lower altitude. This means perhaps less effort than a S-N trek but the main reason is safety. The start involves indeed going into the mountains with a heavy backpack but after the mountain, the route is never "really far" from the sealed road. 

Finishing in the mountains would be at risk for myself and the potential rescuers. Finishing south is virtually not remote compared to my previous desert crossings were rescue is impossible. But Death Valley is not to be underestimated.

Done before?

The route has been attempted twice by an American using a desert cart. He failed because his cart always broke and he spent time doing repairs or carrying jerricans of water back and forth across difficult terrain –like riverbeds- until he could continue hauling his cart. I believe it’s possible to cover the distance in 5.5 to 6 days only on foot with hiking poles and by the way desert cart are not permitted.

How?

I will start all my water and food for the journey and of course a small tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag. The total weight of the pack will be between 36-40kg (80-90 lbs). I will carry of course a GPS, satphone and perhaps a live tracke, a basic first aid kit. November is not very hot and the cold at night will not freeze my water thanks to the temperature inertia. The days are short but not too short. Also low precipitation. Because there’s less heat, there is also very little chance of stormy rains and hence flash flooding unless "El niño" but no one knows how it will be in 2015. I believe it’s the safest time of the year to trek.

Dangers & problems?

Potential problems that are of course obvious: dehydration, muscle injury, overheating, over exhaustion, backpack failure, water container failure, wind & salt dust, sun blindness, cold, frozen water, back pain, blisters. I will select equipment to minimize all this. Animals: Rattlesnake, scorpion, black widow spider, wild burro, coyote. 

Remarks

There is no cell / mobile phone coverage in the park except near the ranger stations and hotels. I have a philosophy of leave no trace when I trek. I take all my garbage with me.