I asked an AI to create a fake big adventurer

Well, I did 3 prompts and it could be very convincing. Of course at that age, no one would really have all those skills and CV. But someone who has money and is strong mentally and physically could have that CV.

My PROMPT: make up a cv of a modern adventurer, he should have done amazing expeditions, base yourself on realistic cvs of existing adventurers

Name: Alexander "Alex" Walker

Date of Birth: May 12, 1987
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Contact: alex.walker.adventure@gmail.com
Website: www.alexwalkerexpeditions.com
Social Media: @alexwalker.explorer

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Objective

Dynamic and resilient adventurer with over 10 years of experience in extreme expeditions across diverse terrains, including the Arctic, Himalayan peaks, and the Amazon rainforest. Passionate about exploration, conservation, and human endurance. Seeking new challenges and opportunities to inspire others to push their limits through adventure and storytelling.

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Education

Master of Science in Environmental Science
University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Graduated: 2012
Thesis: "Sustainable Practices for Extreme Environments: Navigating Challenges in Remote Regions"

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
University of Glasgow, Scotland
Graduated: 2009
Focus: Ethics and Human Endeavor in Extreme Conditions

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Core Skills

• Expedition Planning and Logistics
• Survival Skills (Cold, Desert, Jungle, High Altitude)
• Leadership and Team Coordination
• Risk Management and Safety Protocols
• Advanced Navigation (GPS, Compass, Altimeter)
• First Aid and Wilderness Medicine
• Public Speaking and Storytelling
• Languages: English, Spanish, Basic Russian

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Expeditions & Achievements

1. First Solo Expedition to the North Pole (2019)

• Duration: 54 days

• Details: Successfully completed a solo journey to the North Pole, navigating ice fields, extreme cold, and unpredictable weather. Covered over 500 miles on skis, pulling a 200kg sled, and surviving temperatures as low as -50°C.

• Achievements:

  • First Briton to complete a solo North Pole expedition without resupply.

  • Raised £100,000 for polar conservation through fundraising efforts and media coverage.

2. Crossing the Amazon Rainforest (2017)

• Duration: 70 days

• Details: Led a team of four in a 1,000-mile trek through the Amazon rainforest, using only traditional navigation and survival techniques.

• Achievements:

  • Successfully mapped uncharted territories in the southern Amazon.

  • Discovered several new species of flora and fauna.

  • Featured in National Geographic for the contribution to Amazon preservation awareness.

3. Mount Everest Expedition (2015)

• Duration: 2 months

• Details: Part of a pioneering team that made a successful summit attempt on Mount Everest, focusing on the ecological impacts of tourism and climate change at high altitudes.

• Achievements:

  • Conducted a series of scientific studies related to glacial melt and environmental changes on Everest’s upper slopes.

  • Assisted in the clean-up and removal of excess mountaineering debris on the South Col.

4. Crossing the Sahara Desert on Foot (2013)

• Duration: 35 days

• Details: A solo, unsupported expedition crossing over 700 miles of the Sahara Desert, with only limited supplies of water and food.

• Achievements:

  • Set a personal record for the longest unsupported desert crossing.

  • Used the journey to raise awareness for clean water projects in Africa, raising over $200,000.

5. Trans-Antarctic Crossing (2011)

• Duration: 90 days

• Details: Led an international team in a historic crossing of Antarctica from coast to coast, pulling sledges over ice at temperatures below -60°C.

• Achievements:

  • First successful crossing by a non-military team.

  • Established a scientific partnership with the British Antarctic Survey to track climate change data.

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Publications & Media

• Book: Through Ice and Earth: A Journey of Extremes (2019)

  • Chronicles personal stories and scientific findings from expeditions across the globe.

  • Featured in top adventure publications and translated into three languages.

• Documentary: Surviving the Amazon (2018)

  • 2-part series documenting the Amazon rainforest expedition, focusing on the challenges of surviving in the world's most dangerous jungle.

  • Aired on BBC and Discovery Channel.

• Guest Speaker:

  • Speaker at multiple global adventure and sustainability conferences, including the Adventure Travel World Summit (2020) and National Geographic Explorers Festival (2021).

  • Regular guest on adventure podcasts and YouTube series discussing extreme survival tactics.

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Awards & Recognition

• Explorer of the Year (2019) – National Geographic Society

• The Polar Medal (2018) – For exceptional contributions to polar exploration and environmental advocacy.

• Endurance Award (2017) – Outdoor Adventure Council, recognizing achievements in overcoming the toughest natural challenges.

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Affiliations & Partnerships

• British Adventurers Association (BAA) – Member since 2014

• National Geographic Explorers Club – Fellow since 2018

• Patagonia Environmental Fund – Active Ambassador for sustainable gear and practices in extreme environments

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – Partner in conservation expeditions, advocating for endangered species protection through global outreach.

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References

Available upon request.

NEW PROMPT: make it even more impressive, like go to the max

Objective

World-renowned adventurer and expedition leader with unparalleled experience in surviving and leading expeditions in the world’s most extreme environments. Over 15 years of pushing the limits of human endurance, exploring previously uncharted territories, and advancing the frontiers of science and environmental conservation. My mission is to inspire humanity to embrace the unknown, protect our planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems, and uncover the depths of human potential.

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Education

Doctorate in Extreme Environmental Science
University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Graduated: 2016
Dissertation: "Human Survival and Ecosystem Sustainability in Extreme Environments: Strategies for the 21st Century"

Master of Science in Glaciology and Polar Studies
University of Cambridge, England
Graduated: 2011
Thesis: "The Impacts of Melting Glaciers on Global Climate Patterns: An In-Depth Field Study from Antarctica"

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Ethics and Human Endurance)
University of Glasgow, Scotland
Graduated: 2008

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Core Skills

• Unparalleled Expedition Planning and Coordination

• Master of Survival Skills in Extreme Environments (Arctic, Desert, Jungle, High Altitude)

• Expert in High-Risk Navigation (Drone, Satellite, GPS, Altimeter, Compass)

• Strategic Leadership in Remote Locations (Solo and Team Leadership)

• Crisis Management, Emergency Response, and Wilderness Medicine

• Professional Filmmaking and Storytelling (Documentaries, Photography)

• Multilingual: Fluent in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Basic Inuit

• Certified Skydiver, Scuba Diver, and High-Altitude Mountaineer

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Expeditions & Achievements

1. First Solo Full Circle Expedition of the Earth (2023)

• Duration: 18 months

• Details: Undertook the most ambitious expedition in history: a solo circumnavigation of the Earth using a combination of foot travel, sailing, and air travel, with no external support or resupplies. Traversed 50,000 miles across all seven continents, including the Arctic and Antarctic, while conducting scientific research in climate change, biodiversity, and indigenous cultures.

• Achievements:

  • First person in history to circumnavigate the Earth solo by land, sea, and air, completely unsupported.

  • Documented over 300 hours of footage, later transformed into a groundbreaking documentary that aired globally on Netflix.

  • Raised $10 million for environmental charities.

2. First Human to Complete the Four Extremes of Exploration (2021)

• Duration: 3 years

• Details: Successfully completed a series of four "extreme" challenges — the coldest, hottest, highest, and most remote places on Earth:

  • North Pole (2019): Solo trek across the Arctic Circle in -60°C, breaking the record for the longest unsupported journey to the North Pole.

  • Sahara Desert (2018): Solo, unsupported crossing of the entire Sahara Desert (4,500 miles) in 70 days, surviving with only natural resources.

  • Mount Everest (2017): Completed a solo ascent without supplemental oxygen, conducting scientific climate change research at 8,000 meters.

  • The Mariana Trench (2020): Descended 36,000 feet into the Mariana Trench in a custom-designed submersible, the first human to document the abyssal zone of the ocean.

• Achievements:

  • First person to successfully complete the Four Extremes of Exploration.

  • Generated global media coverage, including collaborations with the United Nations on climate change awareness.

3. First Crossing of Antarctica’s Frozen Interior (2016)

• Duration: 75 days

• Details: Led a team to cross Antarctica’s frozen interior, starting from the Ross Ice Shelf to the South Pole and back, in a historic unsupported traverse.

• Achievements:

  • First expedition to cross Antarctica using only human-powered means — sledges, skis, and snowshoes — with no outside support.

  • Contributed groundbreaking data to the study of Antarctic ice cores and glacier movement.

4. Amazon Jungle Expedition (2014)

• Duration: 90 days

• Details: Led an expedition into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, in collaboration with indigenous tribes, to uncover previously unknown ecosystems and species.

• Achievements:

  • Discovered and cataloged 15 previously unknown species, including a new species of amphibian.

  • First explorer to navigate the entirety of the Amazon’s tributaries, mapping and identifying areas of untouched biodiversity.

  • Established a research and conservation partnership with multiple NGOs, which led to the creation of a protected ecological zone in the Brazilian Amazon.

5. Successful Solo Expedition to the South Pole (2013)

• Duration: 120 days

• Details: The longest and most difficult solo journey to the South Pole without external support, carrying all supplies across 1,200 miles of treacherous Antarctic terrain.

• Achievements:

  • Set the world record for the fastest solo trek to the South Pole.

  • Spearheaded groundbreaking research on glacial retreat and ice shelf dynamics, in partnership with NASA’s Cryospheric Research Program.

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Publications & Media

• Book: Endurance Beyond Limits: The Science of Extreme Exploration (2022)

  • International bestseller detailing groundbreaking science and human stories from expeditions, including climate data, psychological endurance, and environmental discoveries.

  • Featured in The New York Times and BBC Radio 4.

• Documentary: The Final Frontier (2021)

  • A National Geographic exclusive showcasing the Earth’s most remote and extreme locations, documenting the Four Extremes and other high-risk expeditions.

  • 5 million viewers worldwide in its first month.

• TED Talk: The Human Spirit in Extreme Conditions (2020)

  • Delivered to over 2 million people, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in life-threatening environments.

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Awards & Recognition

• Explorer of the Century (2025) – The Royal Geographical Society

• Gold Medal for Environmental Leadership (2022) – The United Nations Environmental Programme

• Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World (2021)

• The Polar Medal (2019) – For unparalleled contributions to polar exploration

• Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) – International Association of Adventure Professionals

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Affiliations & Partnerships

• World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers – Promoting global sustainability initiatives and youth-led environmental change.

• Patagonia Ambassador – Advocate for sustainable gear and zero-waste practices in extreme exploration.

• NASA Earth Science Division – Partner in polar research initiatives.

• WWF Conservation Partnership – Active member of the WWF’s global expeditions initiative.

THIRD PROMPT: now make one for a female

Name: Dr. Isabella "Izzy" Morgan

Date of Birth: March 5, 1986
Location: London, England
Contact: izzy.morgan.adventure@gmail.com
Website: www.isabellemorganexpeditions.com
Social Media: @izzy.morgan.explorer

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Objective

Globally recognized explorer, environmental advocate, and pioneering adventurer with a legacy of breaking records in extreme exploration across the polar regions, high-altitude mountains, jungles, and deserts. Expert in leading complex expeditions, advancing scientific research, and promoting sustainable practices in the world’s most unforgiving environments. Dedicated to inspiring future generations of female explorers and pushing the boundaries of human endurance.

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Education

Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Earth Sciences
University of Oxford, England
Graduated: 2014
Thesis: "Glaciology and Climate Change: Understanding the Dynamics of Ice Sheets in Extreme Latitudes"

Master of Science in Environmental Sustainability
University of Cambridge, England
Graduated: 2010
Thesis: "Conservation and Adaptation Strategies for Biodiversity in Polar and High-Altitude Ecosystems"

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology
University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Graduated: 2008
Focus: Human Resilience and Cultural Survival in Extreme Environments

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Core Skills

• Expedition Leadership & Logistics Management

• Advanced Survival and Wilderness Techniques (Cold, Desert, High Altitude, Jungle)

• High-Risk Decision Making & Crisis Management

• Cutting-Edge Scientific Research & Data Collection

• Public Speaking, Writing, and Advocacy

• Multinational Team Coordination & Motivation

• Expert in Navigation (GPS, Compass, Traditional Techniques)

• Languages: English, Spanish, French, Swahili, Basic Russian

---

Expeditions & Achievements

1. First Female Solo Traverse of the Antarctic Continent (2023)

• Duration: 200 days

• Details: Completed the first ever solo, unsupported traverse of Antarctica, crossing the entire continent from coast to coast, enduring temperatures as low as -80°C, high winds, and severe isolation.

• Achievements:

  • First woman to complete the solo, unsupported Antarctic crossing, covering over 2,000 miles.

  • Collected invaluable scientific data on glacial retreat, weather patterns, and biodiversity in extreme cold environments.

  • Raised $10 million for climate research and the protection of Antarctic wildlife, particularly penguin and seal populations.

2. The Summit of K2 in Winter (2021)

• Duration: 3 months

• Details: Led the first all-female team to summit K2, the world’s second-highest peak, in the dead of winter during the most brutal conditions in history.

• Achievements:

  • First all-female team to successfully summit K2 in winter, a feat that had previously been deemed nearly impossible.

  • Developed and implemented new high-altitude acclimatization techniques, now considered standard practice in extreme mountaineering.

  • Documented the journey for a groundbreaking documentary that won an Emmy Award.

3. Crossing the Sahara Desert by Camel and Foot (2019)

• Duration: 60 days

• Details: Became the first woman to cross the entire Sahara Desert using only traditional means of transport—camels and on foot, braving extreme heat, desert storms, and dehydration.

• Achievements:

  • Set a new world record for the fastest solo unsupported crossing of the Sahara.

  • Developed a sustainable water recovery system for desert expeditions, later adopted by organizations like the Red Cross.

  • Raised over $7 million for desertification prevention and sustainable water use in North Africa.

4. The Amazon: Expedition to the Heart of the Green Hell (2017)

• Duration: 90 days

• Details: Led an international team deep into the Amazon rainforest to map and document the biodiversity of previously uncharted territories, encountering hostile wildlife, tribal conflicts, and treacherous river systems.

• Achievements:

  • Discovered several new species of plants and insects, contributing to global conservation efforts.

  • Filmed a critically acclaimed documentary that was broadcast worldwide on Discovery Channel, focusing on indigenous knowledge and conservation.

  • Secured over $5 million in funding for sustainable rainforest preservation.

5. Climbing Mount Everest without Oxygen (2015)

• Duration: 2 months

• Details: Successfully summited Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, a rare and dangerous feat, using advanced acclimatization techniques and pushing physical limits to the edge.

• Achievements:

  • First British woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen.

  • Conducted groundbreaking scientific research on the effects of high-altitude oxygen deprivation, contributing data to NASA and the European Space Agency for future space missions.

  • Featured in National Geographic for pioneering high-altitude health studies.

6. Crossing the Ice Sheets of Greenland (2014)

• Duration: 65 days

• Details: Completed the first full crossing of Greenland's ice cap, solo and unsupported, navigating through glacial crevasses, extreme cold, and unpredictable weather.

• Achievements:

  • Set a record for the longest unsupported Arctic crossing.

  • Contributed to climate change research by measuring ice sheet thickness and movement in remote regions.

  • Raised awareness for the preservation of Arctic ecosystems.

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Publications & Media

• Book: Beyond the Edge: A Woman’s Journey into the World’s Most Extreme Places (2022)

  • A best-selling memoir that shares insights into the mind of a female adventurer, chronicling daring feats and the psychological and physical toll of extreme expeditions.

  • Translated into seven languages, with an international book tour.

  • Featured in The Guardian and Vogue for its impact on women in exploration.

• Documentary Series: Breaking Boundaries: The Journey of a Modern Adventurer (2020)

  • A 10-part series airing on National Geographic and Netflix, following Dr. Morgan’s most historic expeditions, including her Antarctic crossing and K2 summit.

• TED Talk: "The Power of Resilience: Navigating Life’s Extremes" (2021)

  • Delivered to a global audience, exploring themes of personal resilience, overcoming adversity, and the role of women in the future of exploration.

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Awards & Recognition

• Explorer of the Year (2024) – National Geographic Society

• Gold Medal for Mountaineering Excellence (2021) – Royal Geographical Society

• Polar Medal with Distinction (2020) – Awarded for contributions to polar exploration and climate change awareness.

• Adventurer of the Decade (2019) – Adventure Travel World Summit

• Sustainability Leadership Award (2018) – United Nations, for exceptional leadership in combining adventure with environmental conservation.

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Affiliations & Partnerships

• International Women’s Exploration Network (IWEN) – Founder & Chairperson

• Patagonia Environmental Ambassador – Leading sustainability efforts in extreme travel and adventuring.

• UN Women’s Global Ambassador for Empowering Women in Exploration

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – Lead partner in high-risk conservation expeditions for endangered species.

• Google Earth Outreach – Partner for virtual mapping and 3D visualization of endangered ecosystems and regions.

member of The Explorers Club for 15 years

EN: Just got an email from the Explorers Club to tell me it was my anniversary. And indeed I became a member in 2010. Then I became a Fellow member in 2014 and a Life Fellow in 2017. To become "for Life" member or felow member, we must "just" pay 20 times our yearly dues. Still very happy to be part of the club for the great people I have met. It even gave me the opportunity to join in 2013 an expedition to Clipperton Island. One of the 2 expeditions I paid to join and did not organize too much as I was not the leader.

I just finished actually to put online the video of my talk to Explorers Club members in Sydney, with English subtitles and you can chose autotranslate to French, Dutch or any other language of course.

FR: Je viens de recevoir un courriel de l'Explorers Club pour me dire que c'était mon anniversaire. En effet, je suis devenu membre en 2010. Ensuite, je suis devenu membre Fellow en 2014 et membre à vie en 2017. Pour devenir membre "à vie" ou felow, il "suffit" de payer 20 fois notre cotisation annuelle. Je suis toujours très heureux de faire partie du club pour les personnes formidables que j'ai rencontrées. Il m'a même donné l'occasion de participer en 2013 à une expédition sur l'île de Clipperton. Une des 2 expéditions que j'ai payé pour rejoindre et que je n'ai pas trop organisé car je n'étais pas le leader.

Je viens de terminer la mise en ligne de la vidéo de mon intervention devant les membres du Club des explorateurs à Sydney, avec des sous-titres en anglais et la possibilité de choisir la traduction automatique en français, néerlandais ou toute autre langue bien sûr.

Expedition Feedback GTA Grande Traversée des Alpes

 

EN: Like in every expedition, there's what we plan and then the reality. There's the things that will happen and things we didn't expect. Even if I succeeded to complete the GTA trek unsupported from Nice to Thonon-Les-Bains and even if it was a rather easy expedition, I've made a few mistakes that are great to know for the future.

First, the distance covered. For sure more than the minimum of 614 km of the GPX file I used. Some trekkers expected the GTA believes it's indeed closer to the 630km measured by Pascal Blanc and close to D+ 40.000m. Not really important because I must do the distance anyway? Correct but having +-34.000m or +-40.000m is a big difference if you need to calculate the calories to ingest.

Knowing the food left at the end of the expedition (I didn't eat everything and had certainly 2-3 days food left if I ration well), I ate 78.500 kcal and lost 6kg of body mass.

The pain in my left Achilles was unexpected. It started on day 5 and remained during all the expedition. I did shorter progression days. Only 1 day I started at 6 am and finished at 9 pm. Most of the expedition I think I started around 9 am to end around 9pm. The pain in my Achilles remained stable and that is the most important as I could finish the expedition without a major problem.

Not expected events

• Some sources of water (public fountains) were closed. Luckily I was told about it by hikers going in opposite direction and for one important source closed, there is a large river 500 away where I actually took a break, washed my dirty legs and drank a lot.
• On the first day I drank 7 liters. More on that day than in any deserts I have crossed. Why? I was not acclimatized to the heat, it was during a heatwave in France (you know, when the wind blows it feels like someone opened the door of the oven) and of course I start with a heavy (34kg including 4L water) backpack and must mainly go up all day starting from sea level.
• Past Briançon, towards Montgenèvre, there's some forest. I came across 2 groups of 2 migrants in the late afternoon, then as the night fell, I saw a group of 6 guys in the distance, they've seen me, I've seen them, I tried to stay out of their way. Just as I found a place to pitch my tent, I saw a migrant 30m below me, opening his sleeping bag on the ground. I decided to go 150m further. I was not reassured, they're not normally bandits, but I'm on my own, so if one of them decides to steal something from me, it could derail my challenge. I slept with one eye open, ears out of my beanie to hear. Around 2 a.m., I heard branches snapping, people walking not far from me. I said "Hello" loudly to let them know I wasn't asleep. All my belongings, even my rucksack and poles, were with me in the tent. Nothing happened. Phew. I finally fell asleep. I woke up and started my day. After 300m I came across 3 ladies having breakfast. A group of 20 migrants approached not far from their 2 tents and lit up their tent with a light around 2am. They didn't know whether to shout or keep quiet. They had already dialed 112, so all they had to do was to press a button to make a call. They also heard the police making their rounds. We were scared for 1 night. Migrants are no doubt scared every night throughout their journey from another continent.

Mistakes:

• On day 2, I fell forward, a lace loop from my left boot caught on the hook of my right boot. Beginner's mistake. This shouldn't happen. The phalanx of my left index finger is bent, it's still a bit sore today and a bit swollen.
• I took 2 short merino T-shirts from the same brand. The seams are in the same place and shear my shoulders and hips in the same places. I put them on inside out, with the seams facing outwards, but that doesn't make much difference with the weight of the bag. It's on day 4 that I finally decide to bandage the shoulders and hips. 4 cm wide and 20 cm long. That'll do the trick.
• Carrying too much water in the mountains. I have 4 bottles: 2*1L, 1*1.5L and 1* 0.5L. I'm getting rid of the big bottle after a few days because I don't need to carry 4 liters of water any more. On the other hand, in the high mountains and until the end of the expedition, I regularly carry 500ml between 2 water points without drinking. It's stupid to carry water for nothing, but it's better than the other way round. In fact, on the penultimate day, I refill my 500ml at 9am and only find a source with water to purify around 4pm. And on the way down to Lake Geneva during this other heatwave, I'm very thirsty. Better preparation would allow me to know with certainty where there is water and therefore avoid carrying it at high altitude where water is quite abundant.
• Too much food. I knew towards the end that I'd probably make it in 24 days instead of the estimated 25. I had forgotten the exact quantity of nuts and cereals and during the first 2 weeks I ate too little. I lost too much weight too quickly and should have lightened up. What's more, with the heatwaves, I didn't need to heat up my body during the day. Finally, it's better to finish an expedition with 1,4kg of food than to fail for lack of energy, exhaustion for 1 day. So I have to remember exactly how much food is in my pack.
• The shoulder strap on my new backpack ripping off. Clearly, with the usual bag for these expeditions, this wouldn't have happened. But hey, when you want to save 600 grams. And indeed, in the end, everything in this little bag means that the center of gravity is very close to my body, so there's little risk of losing my balance.

Good Strategy?

I think the Nice start was a good choice. Admittedly, I started with far too much water (4L), but I avoided the danger of long, long descents with a heavy pack. The GTA-GR5 is very easy to walk compared to the HRP, but you climb a lot more all at once, and inevitably you descend a lot more too. And to do this with a heavy bag while remaining focused at every step is the great difficulty of this project.

I estimate that 5% of people doing the GTA (GR5, HexaTrek) start from the South. So I meet a lot of people coming in the opposite direction. The GR5 signs are clearly designed for their direction, not mine. I've made a few mistakes. I had to turn on my phone and check the map to see if I was on the right path. I didn't have a paper map. 2 mobile phones with maps. That's all and that's enough, we're on a GR.

The advantage is that they (other walkers) tell me about the terrain to come or the water, but frankly, when it comes to water, they're quick to forget or make mistakes. 3 hours beforehand for them could be 1 hour for me if I'm going downhill, or double that if I'm going up with my big bag. And I can also decide that the water point indicated seems too risky to drink. The downside is that I've lost 1 day in total just talking to people. Well, during these discussions, I rest and gain followers on Instagram. Their testimonial is also proof of my progress, my big bag they saw and my relative slowness.

Conclusion

I believe that the GTA can be completed in 18-20 days on its own and without assistance. This means taking fewer supplies, being fast and above all working long hours from 6am to 9-10pm. I also had only 1 major thunderstorm and 4 days of rain, 2 of which got me completely wet.

I'm glad I took along a pair of super-light trail shoes that I used for the long runs on asphalt.

In any case, the Alps are magnificent. And there are villages and hamlets where I really wanted to stop and order a good meal. We'll have to come back for a few more stages.

FR:

Comme dans toute expédition, il y a ce que l'on prévoit et puis la réalité. Il y a ce qui va arriver et ce à quoi on ne s'attendait pas. Même si j'ai réussi à terminer le trek GTA sans assistance de Nice à Thonon-Les-Bains et même si c'était une expédition plutôt facile, j'ai fait quelques erreurs qu'il est bon de connaître pour l'avenir.

Tout d'abord, la distance parcourue. Certainement plus que le minimum de 614 km du fichier GPX que j'ai utilisé. Certains trekkeurs estiment que la GTA est en effet plus proche des 630 km mesurés par Pascal Blanc et proche de D+ 40.000m. Pas très important puisque je dois faire la distance de toute façon ? C'est exact mais avoir +-34.000m ou +-40.000m est une grande différence si vous devez calculer les calories à ingérer.

Connaissant la nourriture restante à la fin de l'expédition (je n'ai pas tout mangé et il me restait certainement 2-3 jours de nourriture si je me rationnais bien), j'ai mangé 78.500 kcal et perdu 6kg de masse corporelle.

La douleur dans mon tendon d'Achille gauche était inattendue. Elle a commencé le 5ème jour et est restée pendant toute l'expédition. J'ai fait des journées de progression plus courtes. Un seul jour, j'ai commencé à 6 heures du matin et j'ai terminé à 21 heures. Pendant la majeure partie de l'expédition, je pense que j'ai commencé vers 9 heures pour finir vers 21 heures. La douleur au talon d'Achille est restée stable et c'est le plus important car j'ai pu terminer l'expédition sans problème majeur.

Événements non prévus

• Certaines sources d'eau (fontaines publiques) étaient fermées. Heureusement, des randonneurs qui allaient dans la direction opposée m'en ont parlé et pour une source importante fermée, il y a une grande rivière à 500 mètres où j'ai fait une pause, lavé mes jambes sales et bu beaucoup d'eau.
• Le premier jour, j'ai bu 7 litres. Plus ce jour-là que dans tous les déserts que j'ai traversés. Pourquoi ? Je n'étais pas acclimaté à la chaleur, c'était pendant une vague de chaleur en France (vous savez, quand le vent souffle, on a l'impression que quelqu'un a ouvert la porte du four) et bien sûr je pars avec un sac à dos lourd (34kg dont 4L d'eau) et je dois principalement monter toute la journée en partant du niveau de la mer.
• Passé Briançon, vers Montgenèvre, il y a de la forêt. J'y croise 2 groupes de 2 migrants en fin d'après-midi puis à la tombée de la nuit, je vois au loin un groupe de 6 gars, ils m'ont vus, je les ai vus, je cherche à ne pas être sur leur chemin. Au moment où je trouve un endroit pour poser ma tente, je vois à 30 m plus bas, un migrant qui ouvre son sac de couchage au sol. Je décide d'aller 150m plus loin. Je ne suis pas rassuré, ils ne sont normalement pas des bandits mais je suis en autonomie, si l'un décide de me voler quelque chose, cela pourrait faire échouer mon défi. Je dors avec un oeil ouvert, les oreilles hors de mon bonnet pour entendre. Vers 2h du matin, j'entends des branches qui cassent, on marche pas loin de moi. Je dis "Hello" bien fort pour qu'on sache que je ne dors pas. Toutes mes affaires, même le sac à dos et les bâtons sont avec moi dans la tente. Rien ne se passe. Ouf. Je finis par m'endormir. Réveil et j'entame ma journée. Après 300m je tombe sur 3 dames qui déjeunent, elles ont eu très peur. Un groupe de 20 migrants s'est approché pas loin de leurs 2 tentes et a éclairé la tente aussi vers 2h du matin. Elles ne savaient pas s'il fallait mieux crier ou se taire. Elles avaient déjà composé le 112 et il n'y avait plus qu'à lancer l'appel. Elles ont entendu aussi la police faire des rondes. Nous avons eu peur 1 nuit. Les migrants ont sans doute peur chaque nuit pendant tout leur périple depuis un autre continent.

Mes erreurs:

• Le 2ème jour, je fais une chute en avant, une boucle de lacet de ma bottine gauche s'est accrochée au crochet de la bottine droite. Erreur de débutant. Cela ne devrait pas arriver. La phalange de mon index gauche pliée, j'ai encore un peu mal aujourd'hui et elle est encore un peu gonflée.
• J'ai pris 2 t-shirts mérinos court de la même marque. Les coutures sont aux mêmes endroit et me cisaillent les épaules et les hanches au mêmes endroits. Je les mets à l'envers, coutures vers l'extérieur mais cela ne change pas grand-chose avec le poids du sac. C'est au 4ème jour que je décide enfin de panser les épaules et les hanches. 4 cm de large et 20 cm de longueur. Cela fera l'affaire.
• Porter trop d'eau en haute montagne. J'ai 4 bouteilles: 2*1L, 1*1.5L et 1* 0.5L. Je me sépare de la grande bouteille après qqs jours car je ne dois plus transporter 4 litres d'eau. Par contre en haute montagne et jusqu'à la fin de l'expédition je transporte régulièrement 500ml entre 2 points d'eau sans boire. C'est con de transporter de l'eau pour rien mais vaut mieux cela que l'inverse. D'ailleurs l'avant dernier jour je recharge mes 500ml à 9h du matin et je ne retrouve qu'un abreuvoir avec de l'eau à purifier vers 16h. Et en descendant vers le Lac Léman pendant cette autre canicule, j'ai très soif. Mieux préparer me permettrait de savoir avec certitude où il y a de l'eau et donc éviter d'en porter en haute altitude où l'eau est assez abondante.
• Trop de nourriture. Je savais vers la fin que j'allais réussir sans doute en 24 jours au lieu de 25 estimés. J'avais oublié la quantité exacte de noix et céréales et pendant les 2 premières semaines je mangeais trop peu. J'ai perdu trop de masse trop vite et j'aurais dû m'alléger. En plus avec les canicules, pas besoin de chauffer mon corps en journée. Enfin, vaut mieux terminer une expédition avec 14kg de nourriture que d'échouer par manque d'énergie, épuisement pendant 1 journée. Je dois donc mieux me souvenir de la quantité exacte de nourriture dans mon sac.
• La bretelle de mon nouveau sac à dos qui s'arrache. Il est clair qu'avec le sac habituel pour ces expéditions, cela ne serait pas arrivé. Mais bon, quand on veut gagner 600 grammes. Et en effet, à la fin, tout dans ce petit sac fait que le centre de gravité est très proche de mon corps donc peu de risque de perdre l'équilibre.

Une bonne stratégie ?

Le départ à Nice était je crois un bon choix. Certes je commence avec beaucoup trop d'eau (4L) mais j'ai évité le danger que représentent les grandes et longues descentes avec un sac lourd. La GTA-GR5 est très roulante par rapport à la HRP mais on monte d'un coup beaucoup plus et forcément on descend beaucoup plus aussi d'un coup. Et faire cela avec un sac lourd tout en restant concentré à chaque pas, c'est la grande difficulté de ce projet.

J'estime que 5% des personnes faisant la GTA (GR5, HexaTrek) partent du Sud. Je rencontre donc énormément de gens venant en sens inverse. La signalisation du GR5 est clairement faite pour leur sens et pas le mien. Je me suis trompé quelques fois. Il faut alors allumer mon téléphone et regarder sur la carte si je suis sur le bon chemin. Je n'ai pas de carte papier. 2 GSM avec les cartes. C'est tout et suffisant, on est sur un GR.

L'avantage est qu'ils me parlent du terrain à venir ou de l'eau mais franchement, pour l'eau ils oublient vite ou se trompent. 3h avant pour eux cela peut être 1h pour moi si en descente ou le double si je monte avec mon gros sac. Et je peux aussi décider que le point d'eau indiqué me semble trop risqué à boire. L'inconvénient est que j'ai bien perdu 1 jour au total rien qu'à parler aux gens. Bon, pendant ces discussions, je me repose et j'ai gagné des followers sur instagram. Leur témoignage est aussi une preuve de ma progression, de mon gros sac qu'ils ont vu et de ma lenteur relative.

Conclusion

Je crois que la GTA en autonomie et sans assistance peut se faire en 18-20 jours. Cela veut dire prendre moins de vivres, être rapide et surtout faire des longues heures de 6h du matin à 21-22h le soir. J'ai eu aussi 1 seul gros orage et 4 jours de pluie dont 2 gros jours qui m'ont complètement mouillé.

Content d'avoir emmené une paire de chaussures de Trail hyper légères que j'ai utilisé pour les longs trajets sur le bitume.

En tout cas, les Alpes, c'est magnifique. Et il y a des villages et hameaux dans lesquels j'ai vraiment eu envie de m'arrêter et de commander un bon plat. Va falloir revenir faire quelques étapes.

VIMFF adventure and mountain film festival

EN: This Thursday and Friday, I was on stage presenting the films of the first edition of the VIMFF tour (Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival) in Brussels (Flagey) on 16 et 17 March.

FR : Ce jeudi et vendredi, j'ai présenté les films de la première édition de la tournée VIMFF (Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival) à Bruxelles (Flagey) les 16 et 17 mars.

Yes I am METRO guy

FR: Bonjour, vous m'avez trouvé via le journal METRO de ce jour, merci d'être curieux. Jamais entendu parlé de moi? Commencez via ce mini site donnant accès à mon CV aventure, vidéos, newsletters et réseaux sociaux. Inscrivez-vous à la newsletter où suivez-moi sur Instagram ou Facebook. L'année 2023 sera remplie de films d'aventure* et j'espère de ma première tournée de conférences. (*) Certains seront mis directement sur la chaîne YouTube de MeetExplorers Productions.

NL: Hoi, als je me gevonden hebt via de METRO krant van vandaag, bedankt voor je nieuwsgierigheid. Nooit van me gehoord? Start via deze mini-site die toegang geeft tot mijn avontuurlijke CV, video's, nieuwsbrieven en sociale netwerken. Meld je aan voor de nieuwsbrief of volg me op Instagram of Facebook. 2023 zal vol zitten met avonturenfilms* en hopelijk mijn eerste spreekbeurt. (*) Sommige hiervan zullen direct op het MeetExplorers Productions YouTube kanaal worden geplaatst.

EN: Hi, if you found me via today's METRO newspaper, thanks for being curious. Never heard of me? Start via this mini site giving access to my adventure CV, videos, newsletters and social networks. Sign up for the newsletter or follow me on Instagram or Facebook. 2023 will be full of adventure films* and hopefully my first speaking tour. (*) Some of these will be posted directly on the MeetExplorers Productions YouTube channel.

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VeloFollies 2023 to meet Sponsors

EN: I went for the second time to VeloFollies in Kortrijk to meet brands. The idea is to find sponsors and partners for the Bike Belgium Challenge - The longest cycling diagonal of Belgium.

FR: Je suis allé pour la deuxième fois aux VeloFollies à Courtrai pour rencontrer des marques. L'idée est de trouver des sponsors et des partenaires pour le Bike Belgium Challenge - La plus longue diagonale à vélo de Belgique.

Jane Goodall in Brussels

 

ENG: I first attended a public lecture of Jane Goodall organized by the Jane Goodall Institute Belgium in May 2011. I knew about her since joining The Explorers Club in 2010. I was made ambassador in 2011 and organized the first Roots and Shoots cleanup activities in April 2012 with dropouts teenagers. The event was then sponsored by my employer ALTRAN. I've met Jane Goodall many times in the past 11 years. Last time was in 2017. I was at the (ECAD) Explorers Club Annual Dinner in 2019 and then in 2020 I was supposed to see her in Brussels and NYC but the Pandemic hit. This weekend she did an another amazing lecture and I inspired also those coming to her gala.

FRA: J'ai assisté pour la première fois à une conférence publique de Jane Goodall organisée par l'Institut Jane Goodall Belgique en mai 2011. Je connaissais son existence depuis que j'ai rejoint l'Explorers Club en 2010. J'ai été nommée ambassadeur en 2011 et j'ai organisé les premières activités de nettoyage Roots and Shoots en avril 2012 avec des adolescents en décrochage scolaire. L'événement était alors sponsorisé par mon employeur ALTRAN. J'ai rencontré Jane Goodall à plusieurs reprises au cours des 11 dernières années. La dernière fois, c'était en 2017. J'ai assisté au dîner annuel de l'Explorers Club (ECAD) en 2019, puis en 2020, je devais la voir à Bruxelles et à New York, mais la pandémie a frappé. Ce week-end, elle a donné une autre conférence extraordinaire et a aussi inspiré ceux qui sont venus à son gala.

Crossing the Pyrenees unsupported via the HRP

EN: This weekend I should start my last "long expedition with a heavy backpack". I'll attempt to cross the Pyrenees solo, unsupported (no food resupplies unless I find berries before the bears) and only sleeping in my tent (not fun in thunderstorms). I expect it to last 40-50 days but there are so many ways to fail so no one knows if I'll succeed. It's a world first, just hard challenges. I guess I'll post on my facebook fan page when possible (4G network).

Remember to stay safe and respect the rules, I should have no Covid news while in the mountains, which will be great. #expedition #worldfirst

For those who haven't seen the news of the past days, I climbed above the height of Mount Everest in only 3 days as a training. (65h30, time easy to beat if you train, #EverestBuerenChallenge

Map: Variante of the HRP. Plan. End route might differ. Upload the GPX in here for better results.

The final GPS trace (30 min updates LIVE) is here: https://eur-share.inreach.garmin.com/louphi

Remark: The trace only starts at Elizondo as due to the Garmin hack I could only start the tracking after the hack. But I started from the Ocean in Hendaye following strictly the trace you find here above.

FR: Ce week-end, je devrais commencer ma dernière "longue expédition avec un sac à dos lourd". Je vais tenter de traverser les Pyrénées en solitaire, sans assistance (pas de ravitaillement en nourriture sauf si je trouve des baies avant les ours) et en dormant uniquement dans ma tente (pas de plaisir dans les orages). Je m'attends à ce que cela dure 40-50 jours mais il y a tellement de façons d'échouer que personne ne sait si je réussirai. C'est une première mondiale, juste des défis difficiles. Je suppose que je posterai sur ma page de fan facebook quand ce sera possible (réseau 4G).

N'oubliez pas de rester en sécurité et de respecter les règles, je ne devrais pas avoir de nouvelles de Covid pendant que je suis dans la montagne, ce qui sera génial. #expédition #première mondiale

Pour ceux qui n'ont pas vu les nouvelles des derniers jours, j'ai escaladé la hauteur du Mont Everest en seulement 3 jours comme entraînement.

Blue Mountains - Three Sisters

EN: I went for my 3rd time to the Blue Mountains to meet the film director of the film THE SECOND STEP that won the Grand Prize (first Aussie) at the BANFF in 2002. It was about Warren Macdonald (leg amputee) climbing Federation Peak. I reached the mountain too on day 33 in 2007 while doing my unresupplied 49 day crossing of the Tasmania Wilderness heritage parks. I'm not going there this year in the winter.

FR: J'ai été pour la 3ème fois dans les Blue Mountains pour rencontrer le réalisateur du Film THE SECOND STEP qui a gagné le premier prix du BANFF en 2002. Il raconte l'ascension de Warren Macdonald, amputé des jambes, qui grimpe Federation Peak. J'ai atteint ce sommet au 33è jour sur 49 en 2007 lors de ma traversée de la partie sauvage de la Tasmanie.

Outdoor fair - 25 years

EN: It's the 25 years of the Outdoor Fair in Friedrichshafen. A cruise and supper was organized on the Lake of Constance (Bodensee). I also met my sponsors and found new ones while checking out new gear. I also briefly adventurer Denis Katzer who's traveling around the globe and has done many expeditions with camels, horses, 4WD and even with elephants.

FR: La foire Outdoor de Friedrichshafen fête ses 25 ans. Une croisière - souper était organisée sur le Lac de Constance. J'ai aussi rencontré mes sponsors et trouvé de nouveaux tout en découvrant les nouveaux produits. J'ai également rencontré brièvement l'aventurier Denis Katzer, qui voyage autour du monde et a effectué de nombreuses expéditions avec des chameaux, des chevaux, en 4x4 et même avec des éléphants.

 

KayaClean - on TV - BrusselsAirlines mag

EN: The article about my climb in Uganda is published in the B.Inspired magazine of BrusselsAirlines and can be found here: May B.Inspired mag (from page 43).

With the Jane Goodall Institute and company LEVIS, another KayaClean clean-up was done, we removed a lot of trash from the Lesse this year.

I was also on TV on RTBF Quel temps.

FR: L'article sur mon ascension en Ouganda est paru dans le B.Inspired de BrusselsAirlines et se trouve ici: May B.Inspired mag (dès la page 43).

Avec le Jane Goodall Institute et LEVIS, nous avons réalisé une autre opération KayaClean de nettoyage et retrait de déchets de la Lesse.

Aussi je suis passé dans l'émission RTBF Quel temps.