Purewild Adventure Travel

08/02/2025

Snow and ice as far as the eye can see - I knew Greenland only from hours flying across this seemingly endless white desert. Finally, the moment came and I touched down in Nuuk, the capital, populated by a mere 20,000 souls.

80 % of Greenland’s population are Inuit. Immediately curiosity and the desire to immerse in a way of life that thrives in the challenging conditions of the Arctic Ocean kick in.
A hike at -20º C and biting cold winds blowing down from the ice field give us a first taste of what the elements have on offer here. But the beauty and solitude of the mountainous landscape offsets all harshness.

Next stop on our itinerary is Ilulisat 500 km further North - and at least 10 degrees colder. We set out by boat, crushing through Sea ice that built up over the past days, and head towards the gigantic ice bergs that are stuck in Disko Bay, shining in all imaginable hues of blue.

Greenlanders are welcoming people. They know it is cold outside, so their house is always open for friends and strangers alike. For dinner, we are invited to a private home where we are served local dishes from muskox and reindeer to Seafood delicacies like stone crab and whale meat.

Fishing and hunting remain the only way to survive where nothing grows, and the need for vitamins is covered by the skin of Beluga whales rather than vegetables or fruit.

In a land that has 50 different words for snow and ice, dog sleds often are the only means of transportation and of getting food on the table. For the experience, we jumped into seal skins and spent the morning with local mushers and their fabulous Greenlandic dogs.

Our Arctic winter adventure was crowned by a display of Northern lights in the crystal clear (and at -32º C crispy cold) night sky.
When the time came, we stepped outside in wonderment before returning to the comfort of our glass villas and continue watching the spectacle from inside.

Greenland is one of the last truly wild and remote places. What remains after this first encounter with total and increasingly fragile beauty: the yearning to return - as soon and often as possible…

11/01/2025

Summiting Cotopaxi - a story told backwards

It is on the way down from this mountain, towering 5897 m high, when the emotions come out almost uncontrollably - from the effort of heading out into the cold and dark at midnight and embarking on an uphill journey that gets steeper and more strenuous with every 100 m of elevation we gain.
A revolting stomach, slight nausea, and an aching head slowing me down further on the final stretch.
Then, just below the peak, a sulphurous stench hits us - Cotopaxi is an active volcano that last erupted two years ago. The fumes still coming out steadily force us to put on the gas mask we had brought. Just what you need when the air is thin already.
All that is forgotten when, just as daylight begins to set in, you stand on the crater rim looking down into the abyss and the World far below - across the plains all the way to the city lights of Quito in the North, some 80 km away as the crow flies.
15 minutes, no more, we grant ourselves to enjoy the views before we decide to head back down and lose altitude. The body cools off too quickly at temps of -10 c with gusty winds.
The descent then gets easier with every minute as we cross a wonderland of ice and fresh snow the onset of the wet season has brought over the past days.
As we finally take off the crampons and hike down the winding gravel road from the Refugio to the parking lot where Nelson, our driver, picks us up again, it is easy to feel overwhelmed - by the strain of the past 8 hours, but also Cotopaxi’s majesty we got to experience up close and in perfect conditions on this epic hike.

09/01/2025

What a wonderful start of a New Year, exploring Quito with a group of friends, then continuing to conquer its spectacular surrounding Andes peaks.
With every day, we are gradually venturing higher: from Pasochoa and Rumíñahui to snow covered Iliniza, surpassing 5000 masl - all in preparation for summiting magic Cotopaxi. Recent snowfall lets the active volcano appear even more beautiful when he draws back the curtains for us early morning. We are slowly getting closer…

13/12/2024

There‘s always time for a quick photo, especially for a generation who never knew a World without an Apple device.
What‘s great to see is how nature, and the magic of the Sierra Nevada are taking over, every day a bit more, opening senses for the beauty of the real World.
Grateful for those precious moments with son Benno in my favourite Colombian playground.

23/11/2024

AdventureNEXT Fiji, an event organised by my global adventure travel family, brought the opportunity to finally visit the destination I had dreamed about seemingly forever.
Expecting a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, I arrived, only to find my expectations exceeded on day one.
For most parts Fiji still has this feel of being remote and untouched: beaches (almost) without plastic waste, and corals of colours I had last seen 30 years ago. We went snorkelling in reefs full of life and diving with Bull Sharks (!) - I am still exhilarated by the intensity of the experience.
We hiked scenic trails through tropical forests, across waterfalls, and over green rolling hills with breathtaking views of the archipelago.
But Fiji would not be Fiji without its beautiful, warm, friendly, open, smiling, joyful people and their welcoming culture - rooted in tradition, and having come a long way from its cannibalism past. Together with my awesome pre-adventure group I had such a blast.
And after our Adventure Travel conference came to a close last night, we leave inspired by the respectful, inclusive, sustainable, and regenerative road Tourism Fiji is taking to lead their tropical Pearl into the future…

16/11/2024

Fiji had been on my list for probably 50 years. Finally, the opportunity came via an invitation to participate in AdventureNEXT Fiji.
Expectations were high, and surpassed on the first couple of days already. The dive with bull sharks was one of my most exhilarating experiences ever. Our group was totally overwhelmed!
Not to mention the spectacular setting, incredible waters, and lovely people of this tropical paradise…

12/11/2024

I just had the opportunity and privilege to spend a couple of days with Cristian Sierra, my go to and incredible nature guide in the Sierra Nevada. A unique, biodiverse ecosystem and the highest coastal mountain range on Earth rising from 0 - 5700 m above sea level. Unrivalled abundance of vegetation zones, habitats, indigenous communities, and one of the Earth’s true energy places. The vistas are breathtaking, and the experience is ultimately humbling. During our birding excursion in the morning we encountered more than 40, of which several endemic, species. Here are some of them…
Thank you and for this magic adventure.

04/10/2024

A great way to spend a special day…

04/10/2024

…thank you for wishing me well. It was a good b’day!

30/09/2024

Claroscuro

Grateful to return to this amazing destination. After a couple of attempts, we landed safely in Panamá City, where the tail of Hurricane Helene is dumping tons of rain, making the flooded streets of Casco Viejo a paradise for all sorts of exotic creatures.
The ‘Urban Adventure‘ will be followed by exploring Boquete and Bocas del Toro before returning to the City for the World Summit of the Adventure Travel Trade. Exciting and fun days ahead.

08/09/2024

70° North

The final stage of my Lapland adventure continuing north by bus to Tromsô for the return flight home.
There, I took the opportunity to visit a remote lodge, as it is essential to know the places PUREWILD offers personally.
The rental car would have cost € 300. Changed plans and embarked on a 152 km / 6 h bike ride to see 2 cabins and 2 hotel rooms in the north Norwegian Fjordlands. It turned out to be one of my most scenic rides ever. Pure and Wild (and windy) indeed.

06/09/2024

Heading North

Crossing the arctic circle on a bus bound for Kilpisjärvi - a small community of 180 at the northern edge of Finland, bordering Sweden and Norway.
The trees seem to get shorter and the autumn foliage more intense by the minute as we drive on narrow roads without traffic, passing endless lakes and vast tundra.

Kilpisjärvi, an arctic winter wonderland, is dominated by Saana Fell, a mystic and legendary hill rising up 500m from the surrounding barren landscapes.
Exploring the area by kayak and on foot you get a sense of its beauty, but also of how harsh life must be for the so warm and welcoming locals.
Right now Lapland seems to be taking a breather before, in a few weeks, the dark and cold will take over, drawing tourists to discover a then completely white desert.

It is these rough edges of the World that spark the yearning for adventure in us, awaken our instincts, and leave their mark in our souls…

01/09/2024

Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026! At first glance, perhaps not the prettiest place, but it is very young, cool, intriguing, and full of history.
Strolling down its streets, you encounter several streams passing through the City like veins.
They were built to prevent fires from spreading.
Oulu has burnt down ten times over the past centuries. At night the streams are illuminated, shining in bright red light like flowing lava. A powerful reminder, telling the story of an eventful, often difficult past.

28/08/2024

Below the radar of most travelers is Finnish Lapland in autumn. A pristine time to get active on land and water, take in the beautiful fall colours and dancing Aurora lights.
Fill your lungs with the cleanest air on Earth and treat your palate to the abundant local berries, mushrooms, and herbs growing all around you. Ride your bike through endless forests, take a stroll with a reindeer, or practice yoga in open air, peacefully surrounded by these gentle giants and their huge antlers.
This pure nature paradise will earth you. It will fill your lungs with energy to step outside, again and again to wonder and explore.

06/07/2024

On my way back from a fabulous week in Japan, helping to develop cycling programs for Hokkaido Tourism.
Riding around spectacular Rishiri Island, crossing lush forests, and climbing the peaks of central Hokkaido, we also found time to meet the locals and immerse in their welcoming culture and traditions.
Japan is such a fascinating, happy, and rewarding place to visit!

23/05/2024

09/05/2024

Pasochoa con Carne

On our final day of adventure, we left Quito to hike up Pasochoa volcano on the outskirts of the City. With 4150 masl a manageable but rewarding climb with views of the snow capped peaks surrounding us.
At the summit we were greeted by a beautiful Caracara, views into the rim of the crater, and, just below, a precious patch of Polylepis forest.
We made our way down fast to arrive on time for a lunch feast back in Quito at Ikala, known for its world class beef dishes. A perfect way to end a week of discovery in fabulous Ecuador 🇪🇨.