SAMAYA x JOSEPH GANDRIEAU

 

 

The Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland: these are the three islands that Joseph Gandrieau crosses on foot, by bike, on skis and in a packraft. Long-distance roaming, difficult and sometimes inhospitable climates and terrain, resilience and a passion for the outside world in all conditions: this is what drives and inspires Joseph.

 

The "3 Islands" expedition is a three-part project, carried out following my thesis, driven by a thirst for adventure! The first part took place at the end of January 2024, taking me from Strasbourg to northern Denmark, by bike with a pulka grafted onto two devil's wheels. Leaving this trusty machine behind, I crossed the Faroe Islands and Iceland on foot and skis.

 

It took me ten days to reach Denmark, 10 days to cover the main island of the Faroes from south to north, and then 25 days to cross Iceland from southwest to northeast, covering more than 550km on skis. Through this expedition, I'm carrying the message of the Rêve association, which is committed to making dreams come true for seriously ill children: "a dream can change everything".

 

It's a project I've had in mind for a long time, especially Iceland and its mythical, remote environment. As the Faroe Islands and Denmark are close to Iceland, it seemed obvious to unify this route by cycling, hiking and skiing. It was a big challenge, requiring a lot of physical effort and resilience, as the sequence was so long.

 

To be honest, ahead of the adventure, I was afraid of the wind. I was worried that it would prevent me from progressing serenely, especially as Iceland is renowned for its beautiful gusts. Since a bad storm experience during my kayak crossing of the Danube, I've had a real apprehension about bivouacking in strong winds. But I think this adventure was the first step towards regaining my confidence. I think I've learned better how to cope with it, how to protect myself from it, but also how to give it up... so that I'm better able to set off again the next day (or the day after that).

 

After days of cycling and crossing the mythical Faroe Islands, I found myself facing one of the greatest physical challenges of my life, in a harsh but breathtaking environment: Iceland in winter. At first, I felt no apprehension. I'd been pedaling and walking for weeks, only to find myself in this harsh, cold environment. I could hardly wait to get on my skis and cross this white desert!

 

Living conditions in Iceland were nothing like on a bike tour or a trek in the Faroes. Every little thing required extra effort and energy, both mentally and physically. Melting the ice to hydrate and eat, rolling up the comforter, setting up and stowing the tent despite frozen fingers, digging and building a wall of snow every evening to protect from the wind, carrying or putting the pulka on wheels when snow conditions were no longer ideal... The pulka, weighing in at over 60 kilograms, was both a gift - indispensable for carrying all the equipment and food - and a living hell on the climbs, river crossings and snow-free stretches. My progress was not easy, even when the weather conditions were mild.

 

Despite these difficulties, I lived a dream 25 days. 25 days through a wonderful Iceland that I wanted to cross as I did. 25 days experiencing Iceland as I really wanted to: skiing, struggling, discovering, bivouacking! I kept telling myself "this Iceland and no other".

 

It was even better than I had imagined. I'm still on cloud nine when I think back on it. Of course, there were unforeseen circumstances, and moments of hardship and fatigue along the 560 kilometers, but everything thrilled me. Particularly the moment when I spotted the expedition's arrival point in the distance: that lighthouse at the very north-east of the island. It was a transcendent moment! I'd done it. I looked at the map to see how far we'd come. I remember it gave me a real boost to finish the last few kilometers. I had a smile on my face for the rest of the day!

 

More than a moment, it's a period that I particularly remember: that of entering this white desert - the high country. Nothing on the horizon, no sound when the skis stopped on the snow, immense white landscapes as far as the eye could see. My "white desert", in the heart of which I spent my nights and days.

 

For me, there's no adventure without a bivouac. This project is based on a desire to get out into nature and pitch a tent every day. What a joy it is to slip into my Samaya2.5 sheltered from the wind after a hard day. Sylvain Tesson's maxim resonated with me: "the only 5-star hotel is a dry bivouac when you've had rain all day". It's a wonderful experience on which to build an adventure! And it can even make nights away from your tent seem a little bland by comparison.

 

The end of the adventure was really special. It was both a feeling of accomplishment and a little frustration to see this adventure already behind me. Despite my fatigue, I still wanted to fight.

 

The next stage of the project will take me to Greenland for over two months of exploration far from the cities and the beaten track. I'll be crossing mountains and fjords to try and make headway in these virgin territories. I'll be swapping the pulka for a backpack and packraft! The philosophy of this third island will undoubtedly be different. I'm not committing myself to a kilometre-long crossing... but let's leave a little suspense!