Viajó durante 145 días por 17 países, recorriendo 40.000 kilómetros y volvió con unas fotos increíbles

Johan Lolos es un viajero/fotógrafo, que pensaba que para descubrir los mejores paisajes del mundo tenía que viajar al otro lado del mundo. El autodidacta belga viajó durante dos años como mochilero por Australia y Nueva Zelanda, hasta que se dio cuenta que no tenía que ir tan lejos para conseguir lo que él quería.

This image was taken last summer after an uncommon heavy snowfall that day in the French Alps. I don’t know how often one gets to see the Lac Blanc unfrozen yet surrounded by snow, but I feel like we’ve been pretty lucky that evening. 24 hours later, all the snow was gone already. #peaksofeurope Shot for @icebreakernz

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el Nov 13, 2017 at 9:27 PST

The day we almost hiked for no view. @supertrampeur and I planned to hike up Pizzo Taneda for sunset in order to have the best view on the Piora Valley. Halfway, we spotted a good looking ridge that wasn’t on the path but seemed to offer even better views than from the top of Taneda. Thinking we would only need 20min to reach the ridge, we started our way up, leaving the main trail. We eventually found ourselves in a very uncomfortable situation where the way to the ridge was steep as hell and became dangerous. When Josh arrived at the top I could see all his disappointment. No views from the ridge. Nothing but rocks, no lakes around. We then only realized that we wasted more than an hour trying to reach something that looked promising, and that it was impossible we would make it on time to the top of Pizzo Taneda for sunset. Gutted, we yet decided to go back on the main trail and see how high we could get to before it gets dark. Not the view we came for, but we were rewarded with a cascade of 3 alpine lakes just a few minutes before dark. Good thing we found the motivation to keep going up instead of just giving up and returning to the car, thinking we would be too late for anything good. But I’m not done with Pizzo Taneda yet, I’ll have to come back and start the hike a bit earlier to allow off-trail exploration! #peaksofeurope Shot for @myswitzerland | @ticinoturismo

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el Sep 24, 2017 at 1:48 PDT

De hecho, era mucho más cerca de lo que imaginó. Su ciudad natal, Liège (Bélgica), que se encuentra muy cerca de los Alpes, tenía todo lo que él buscaba y no lo sabía. Ahí fue que decidió comenzar a recorrer destinos europeos durante los meses de verano.

The mountains of Durmitor National Park, Montenegro got me speechless. The texture, the perfect mix of grass and rocks, the hidden valleys and the pristine blue lakes. It was fun hiking through them! #peaksofeurope

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el Ago 13, 2017 at 10:01 PDT

Midnight sun hikes are my new favorite passion. Shot at 1am. #peaksofeurope . Don’t miss out today’s story featuring aerial shots of Svalbard (78°N) @northernnorway @visitsenjaregion

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el Jun 11, 2017 at 11:13 PDT

Hasta ese momento había hecho algunos viajes por carretera, pero ninguno había superado los tres meses porque él pensaba que era el tiempo justo y necesario (ni muy corto ni muy largo). Pero para recorrer las tres regiones principales de Europa y 17 países, tres meses le parecía muy poco, así que planeó su itinerario para cinco meses.

It’s incredible how travel can be a life changer. #sponsored For me it all started when, back in 2013, I decided to buy a one-way ticket to Australia. Instead of pursuing a career in PR I thought it would be better to leave my comfort zone and follow my gut by traveling around the world for an indefinite period of time. I remember telling my parents «I don’t know when I’ll be back, maybe in 3 years, maybe in 5, we’ll see…». That was the best decision of my life. 4 years later, here I am. Capturing the world as a full time photographer thanks to all the opportunities that came to me during my first 2 years of travel in Australia and NZ. Today, I’m teaming up with @Delta to share my story and I hope it inspires you to share your own using the hashtag #TravelChangedMe. Can’t wait to read them!!

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el May 9, 2017 at 9:13 PDT

Exploring endless ice caves in Iceland’s 4th largest glacier (that covers one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes). Shot for @arcticadventures with the help of the legend @norrisniman.

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el Abr 27, 2017 at 11:09 PDT

Su gran aventura, que bautizó con el nombre «Picos de Europa», empezó el 15 de mayo de 2017. El viaje se dividió en tres partes: el norte, los Balcanes y los Alpes. Después de viajar durante 145 días, visitar 17 países y recorrer un total de 40,760 kilómetros, volvió a su casa el 6 de octubre de 2017.

Watching the sun go down from the hood of our truck. During my recent trip to New Zealand I teamed up with @JackDaniels_US to show you how #JackTravels. #FromLynchburg #ad

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el Mar 10, 2017 at 11:10 PST

Currently re-exploring the South Island and rediscovering old favorite spots with @acerentalcars. This one at Lake Pukaki has to be my favorite campground in the country, offering insane direct views on Mt Cook! Find more travel inspiration on @beautifuldestinations

Una publicación compartida por Johan Lolos (@lebackpacker) el Dic 8, 2016 at 9:38 PST

Todo su viaje lo compartió a través de su Instagram, @lebackpacker, y tuvo una respuesta increíble de los seguidores. Así que decidió elegir un poco más de 200 fotos (de las 30.000 que había sacado) para publicar su libro, «Peaks of Europe», que saldrá en los próximos meses.