Poland Trek (2012)

Description

The project was a human powered expedition by foot, packraft and seakayak between the Highest summit of Poland (Mount Rysy, 2499m) to the Baltic sea.

The team left Brussels driving to Kraków on the 5th of May. Prepared on the 6th the equipment and food. The progression started at the entrance of the Tatra National Park on the 7th of May 2012.

The journey started by climbing Mount Rysy (climbed on 7 May 2012), then hiked the North-west across the Tatras mountains towards Mt Baranja Mountain (1220m), found with a local guide the source of the Vistula (the longest river of Poland) and follow it to the sea. During the 4 weeks of the expedition, cultural places and famous cities were visited along the way.

The expedition allowed also the observation of polluted waters to inspire preservation of the waterbodies and wildlife of the country. A TEDxWarsaw talk describes this part of the expedition.

Objectives

1) Sportive: Cover the estimated distance of  1200km  from Mount Scratches to the Baltic sea, finish in Gdansk.

2) Discover and document: Visit a new country, new landscapes, enjoy the simple life in the mountains and on the river. Take photos and videos to show later on in articles, exhibitions and documentary. Polish landscapes and culture will be promoted Inherently.

3) Inspire to preserve: Water is the most precious thing we have on earth. Like the rain, I will start my return journey from the high mountains to the sea Following the streams of water. I will also show & pollution trash along the way. We all can do something about it to preserve our environment and ourselves THUS.

Types:	Adventure
Challenges:	Fully human powered, GPS, Use of human structures, With film crew, With support crew
Progression means:	Kayak, On foot, Packraft
Climbing styles:	Alpine style
Countries:	Poland
Landscapes:	Forest, Mountain, Mountain range, River, Urban
Route type:	A-B-C
Distances:	route: 1200,0km
Altitudes:	from 0m to 2499m
Misc:	Public joined

Records

World records:

* Longest descend of the Vistula river as the expedition received the authorisation to paddle the protected area of the Goczałkowice Reservoir (lake and dam)

* World First summit to sea of Poland. Done by human power.