Rafał Król - www.expeditions.pl

I was born in the middle of ’70 on a cold sea, and cold has been my trademark. I am a resident of the city of Gdynia-young, modern, but not too big-which perfectly fits into my needs. If I had to set aside a little "hem of privacy" of myself, I would say this: I really like the wine, I play the guitar, I also like dark glasses and consuming culture in the form of cinema, theater or any kind of exhibitions. I am spiteful scoffer and the owner of the contagious sayings collection. I love coffee and tea, but though the expeditions I can survive without it. I listen to very different music, from classical to jazz and trash metal. I never wore a tie and I have very sensitive sense of smell. The full moon does not allow me to sleep. I say what I think, I do what I say. From an early age I was interested in expeditions and travels in a formula which deviates from the standard career of climbers, travelers and survivalmens.

If I had to summarize my expeditions – there is a few common features that led to all my ventures. I avoid known and frequented places , by saying simply - I avoid people. It fascinates me that there are still places where you can be a pioneer. Person to describe and take pictures of unexplored places or pay attention to the place, which existence does not come to the universal mind. I am inspired by places where survival is difficult.

Expeditions to such places allow me to check myself, learn new skills and learn a lot about me. There also allow me to develop another passion, namely implement new products, inventions and technologies through which it becomes safer and can achieve even more inaccessible targets. For over 10 years my tests are used by a number of world leaders in outdoor equipment, including not only native companies but also Norwegian and American. A little more information on this topic is in the "Tests" tab. Currently, I've been involved in working with the British brand Berghaus, which products I have the pleasure to use since one year. Berghaus appreciated my expeditions by including me into theirs world "team" alongside such eminent personalities as Sir Chris Bonington.

Another distinguishing feature is the diversity of my travels. Organizing expeditions to the radically different conditions and different forms from the polar regions, through the highest mountains, swamps to deserts. My expeditions are using various equipment and transportation. An important aspect of my work is widely understood security. More on this subject can be read in the "Safety" tab. Knowledge, learning and getting information is another important theme of my expeditions. I believe that every journey must precede the detailed preparation and studies. Trips requires extensive knowledge of meteorology, cartography, physiology, pharmacy, astronomy, navigation, and many others and learn new skills in these areas gives me a lot o fun. In my opinion, knowledge and mental condition determine the success of the expedition much more than physical. I share my skills and experienced by organizing by myself or with Polish Expedition Center various trainings. For more information see the “Courses and Trainings“ tab.

I also teach the educational activities, and popularizing. In addition to radio broadcasts of both organizing talks for children and demonstrations for students and “adults“. Lead talks on the expedition but also the seminar-type meeting a variety of topics around the oscillating nature conservation, heritage conservation, human rights and philosophy.

I move this type of subject matter by publishing in various travel magazines and professional journals for the army, police, or students. I take part in many tourist events across the Europe.

I am trying to organize two expeditions each year, selecting exotic and demanding targets. In 2009 it was a traverse of Greenland – in the footsteps of Nansen – which is 600km in the worst polar conditions and expedition to Mongolia to Otgon Tenger where I was able to determine the true height of the summit. In 2008, in February, walking winter traverse of Iceland by the Vatnajokull glacier (the largest glacier of the world lying outside the polar caps) in a record time of 14 days, and in August the expedition to the largest and wildest national park in Europe - the polar Lemmenjoki forest in Finland where I managed to make a pioneering switch on route Lisma-Angeli. In 2007 a climbing expedition to Kampire Dior, lost in the Karakorum a 7168 meter peak captured only once in the 70s of the XX century by the Japanese. In 2006, the winter polar expedition to national parks Sarek and Padjelanta above the Arctic Circle in Sweden and in the summer exploration in eastern Turkey from entering the Ararat and Ercyies. There were also a number o earlier expeditions and smaller trips, not to mention all, but special affection for the gift of winter expedition to Spicbergen and Kamchat.