SAMAYA x MIGUEL BARRALES LEAL
INDEPENDENT WINTER CROSSING OF ICELAND
Polar expedition veterans Miguel Barrales Leal and Jules Rasumny have set themselves the challenge of crossing Iceland on foot, in winter, and on their own. Weighing over 60 kilograms each, they hauled their pulkas over hundreds of kilometers, braving the harsh wind, cold and snow.
"In February 2024, we set off on our journey to Iceland. This choice of destination had been carefully considered and was a natural extension of our project on polar environments. Our aim was to progress and document our learning of these hostile environments over several years. After an enriching first experience in the Sarek National Park, we decided to take the next step by exploring Iceland.
Conditions in Iceland were very different from those in Sarek; the Icelandic climate was much more unpredictable and changeable, with wide temperature variations. We had prepared in advance and felt ready to face these conditions. Nonetheless, it was still quite difficult on a day-to-day basis.
Fortunately, the scenery was astonishingly beautiful, with an environment of mid-range mountains with an alpine and mineral feel, far removed from what we can find at home. Every day, we moved about in this majestic setting. Our days were entirely punctuated by progress along our route, influenced by weather conditions and the need to melt snow to obtain water, which took us more than three hours a day.
The unforeseen events we encountered were an integral part of the expedition. In my opinion, that's what makes these experiences so rich. However, these situations can also have consequences for the success or failure of a project. When I talk about success, I'm referring to achieving the goal you set yourself. On the whole, I think that simply living the expedition helps us to grow, to know ourselves better. That's what it's all about. Achieving your objectives, while important, is secondary. It's simply a question of ego.
For me, the emotional aspect plays a very important role, much more so than the physical. On this kind of trip, you're constantly juggling a range of emotions, some of them very intense. It's hard to describe what you're feeling... One moment you're in high spirits, the next you feel like you're growing wings and moving forward rapidly. Then comes a moment of doubt, when you imagine the worst. Fear sometimes comes at these moments.
Loneliness is also present. Even as a couple, the natural elements, or sometimes simply the distance between us, prevent us from communicating. We're in a bubble, alone. That's one of my favorite parts. Today, in our daily lives, we're never alone. Physically, sometimes, but we always have a host of external elements to catch up with us.
Doubts also arise when it comes to using equipment. Particularly bivouac equipment, which is our only shelter from the elements. Choosing the right equipment is essential. Sleeping under our Samaya BASECAMP was reassuring, and we were able to get plenty of rest. Bivouacking was an essential aspect of our expedition. With only one tent to shelter us, it was crucial to have confidence in our equipment. Every evening, after a day's adventure, we set up camp in picturesque locations, often at the foot of mountains or near frozen lakes. This tent became our home in the heart of the Icelandic wilderness. We rested physically and mentally in the shelter of its walls, recharging our batteries for the next day's challenges. The bivouac routine also enabled us to strengthen our bonds, sharing moments of conviviality and solidarity under the Icelandic stars.
Despite the difficult weather conditions, we were lucky enough to observe an incredible aurora borealis. The wind was blowing hard and the temperature freezing. But suddenly, the sky lit up with vivid, shimmering colors. The northern lights danced above us, painting the night sky in shades of green, purple and red. It was a moment of pure magic and wonder, which made our adventure even more special. At that moment, all the harshness of the environment seemed to fade away.
Knowing how to give up is also part of the journey. This learning is associated with a particularly difficult moment for us. The decision to turn back is not an easy one. We had originally planned to continue our journey by cross-country ski despite the uncertain weather conditions, but our pulkas began to break and the weather quickly deteriorated. Eventually, it became clear that continuing would be too dangerous.
It was an extremely difficult decision to make. Not only had we invested a lot of time, energy and resources in this expedition, but we had also set ourselves personal goals that we hoped to achieve. It was a real blow.
However, despite this disappointment, we soon realized that this didn't mean the end of our adventure. We decided to return to civilization to revise our plan and wait for more favorable weather conditions. This experience taught us the importance of caution and flexibility in inhospitable environments. We also learned to be humble in the face of nature and to recognize our own limits.
Although we didn't achieve our original goal, the expedition provided us with valuable lessons and invaluable experience. We returned home knowing we had made the right decision, and began planning our next attempt with even greater determination and wisdom."
