2004-08-24 - Johans Impressions
23 Aug, 04
Overcast to sunny, 6°C to 18°C, light winds from pretty much all directions, camp on an island at N 62°30´05.6 E 151°41´31.3
Written by Johan Ivarsson, on his first Expedition ever.
I went out to test the fishing today, and man didn´t it work great!
Got a whole lot of graylings today, probably around 3 kg all together. It was great fun! For this reason I´ve just finished eating a big grayling for supper. It must be one of the most delicious meals one can get. The taste is superb!
We have finally decided to have a few days of rest. Until now we have only stayed for one day at most, due to the threat of flooding. This time we will stay at least 3 if not 4, and we need it!
We´ve been out here in the wilderness close to a full month now and when I think back of this time, I realize how much I´ve changed and how much I´ve learned.
Only during this month I´ve experienced times more demanding then ever before, without the security and comfort that I have at home. On the other side of the coin, I´ve never felt such a joy and satisfaction regarding relatively small things like getting into a warm sleepingbag after a hard day of rain and cold. This is the life of contrasts, one day one is dry, warm and safe, the other day wet, cold and struggling to find a safe campsite.
One important thing I´ve learned so far is that you can never fully relax when out on an expedition like this. There is always something to worry about or something that has to be fixed. But then again, you are never bored!
Another thing that I´ve experienced during this time is how the body always demands food, even right after eating a big portion of grub, it doesn´t take long before I feel hungry again. Not that I´m not eating enough (we probably eat a lot more than necessary!), but I know one thing for sure, I don´t think I will ever look at food the same way after the completion of this expedition. I know I will enjoy every little piece of meat from an Argentinean T-bone steak or a McDonalds hamburger!
Even though we´ve been through extremely demanding times already - thinking back on the mosquitoes, flooding, sickness and other obstacles- there is nothing in the whole world that would make me want to be somewhere else! I´m grateful that I´ve been given the opportunity to be out here, travelling through such an unknown wilderness. |
