Hogan works as an arborist at 't city of Kortrijk. While most of us the day before the snow layer of only 4 cm already experienced as a burden, this is just a small highly Hogan! Lake Baikal in Siberia is one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world, especially very long and narrow and deep. During the winter the lake is almost completely frozen, the water is so clean that you really have a layer of ice can range from about half a meter thick and it is totally transparent!

In 2007 he crossed the Greenland ice sheet is largely about skiing and he stayed too close to the North Pole. Next week he leaves for a walk of 636 km from north to south across the lake, and this alone!

Do not say that you are the first to walk across the lake from north to south?

"I'm not the first ... but I do have the total distance, only 636 km. Without adversity, I am the first Belgian to that alone will do. "

Russia must not be so easy to organize an expedition to ... Administration asset?

"Say it! A real disaster. All papers must be translated. Luckily I have a lot of help from a friend Irkoutsk. All materials should I bring back to Belgium. Everything is an inventory, listed, a photo taken ... apparently the Russians are afraid of something that I want to sell my material. Together with 38 friends, we saw no more sitting down to meet the Russian administration. Perseverance is the message! "

Physical preparation is important?

"I walk every day 1 to 2 hours, or about 80 km per week. You definitely need to run a marathon within 4 hours, physically strong stand, so to speak. On the other hand, mentally strong for 50% important. The practical preparation is enormous. Save on luggage weight is very important. For this expedition I'm already 8 months to work together with Sylvie, my wife. "

You're not your spurs ... and climbing Nepal, Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Peru, Tibet, so ... different third world countries. Climbing costs money! You got a bad feeling ... We spend a lot of money and the local population is very poor?

"I'm not a rich boy, so we do everything with a very limited budget. When we go climbing, Sylvie and I, we at Alpine climbing. This is climbing in a small group and lightweight. Unfortunately, the people there not good. We always provide at least 25 pounds of clothing, hats, gloves and shoes for our carriers ... In Nepal, for example, many life carriers / guides us, the climbers. Much of our budget goes to the porters / guides. Fortunately this is now required by the government there. "

Hogan, I know ... you're a simple guy. Together with your colleagues around you whisper in an orange van in Kortrijk. How do you deal with some reactions from people when they say "He has at least polar bears, and not on TV! How does he do it? "

"Some are jealous. Luckily I get a lot of respect, it should not but it's nice! "