The adventurer's base camp
In 2015, a friend came up with the idea of taking part in the Dodentocht. For Kasper, walking didn’t feel like much of a challenge, so he decided to run the 100 km instead.
I wanted to run the entire Dodentocht for my first attempt. And I made it to the finish line. Limping and suffering from cramps. It was a real ordeal. But I made it. And I’m incredibly proud of that.
Since then, he hasn’t been able to shake the bug. He started training harder and more seriously, and tougher challenges in the Ardennes soon followed. He would sleep in his van, go running in the woods and return home on Sunday evening.
In 2016, the Dodentocht went a lot better, and it was time to take on the 100-mile Ultra Warmathon. That was a whole different story, as there were no aid stations like there are at the Dodentocht. It was precisely the challenge of having to master a new set of conditions that gave Kasper the thrill he was looking for.
Running alongside Karel Sabbe for the first time was quite an experience during my first 100-miler.
His friends thought he could take things even further, and it didn’t take long before the Marathon des Sables came up. Kasper had been looking forward to it for a long time, and he thoroughly enjoyed the gruelling challenge of running through deep, loose sand.
Since then, Kasper has been looking for adventure every year, always seeking a challenge tougher than the last. But above all, it’s about learning to deal with ever-changing conditions. And each new challenge calls for different equipment. That’s why a visit to Marc at Base Camp is the obvious choice.
Every race presents its own unique challenge.
Marc’s experience is worth its weight in gold. He is always honest in his advice. In fact, he often recommends against buying certain things. Another outdoor shop in my area has seen its standard of advice decline to the point where it no longer helps me move forward. At Base Camp, you still get genuine advice. That’s a rarity.
The last time Kasper visited Base Camp, he and Marc had a discussion about nutrition.
Marc didn’t stock the brand Kasper mentioned. He found the taste too bland, and the long preparation time was another drawback. He backed up his arguments with the Real Turmat range he carries. A meal from this brand may cost almost as much as a plate of spaghetti, but it provides far more calories and tastes great.
When you have to rely on this kind of food for several days, you really start to appreciate the flavour. Every bite I take of this kind of food now reminds me how grateful I am to Marc for his advice!
For the race in Lapland, Kasper needed a new tent. Every gram counts in a race like this, so he initially wanted to buy a one-person tent. Marc advised him to go for a two-person tent instead, giving him enough room to move around and space for his backpack. Kasper now knows that the extra 200 grams are well worth the added comfort.
A quick chat with Marc is always helpful when it comes to making the right choice.
Marc is a terrible salesman because he genuinely cares about his customers and, above all, wants to help them make the best possible choice.
The shop doesn’t have an overwhelming range of products. At first, this might seem like a limitation, but you soon realise why it’s an advantage. Marc carefully selects the products he offers his customers. At Base Camp, you won’t find endless ranges of solutions. Only the best options make it through Marc’s selection process.
I even buy my socks at Base Camp. I genuinely want to support Marc, and I want him to be around for many more years so I can keep benefiting from his advice.
The photos show me using a pulka (sled), food and a tent from Base Camp.
The pulka allows me to carry everything I need for a multi-day expedition in the snow.
The food (Real Turmat) is simply fantastic. It’s the kind of food you won’t get tired of after day two. It’s full of flavour and genuinely delicious.
The tent (Hilleberg) is one I can use for the rest of my life. It’s robust, spacious and reasonably lightweight, especially considering everything else I have to carry.
I also wear clothing from Montane, which I’m extremely happy with. It’s durable, high-quality and lightweight – definitely worth the money.
It’s always worth stepping into Base Camp. It may not be the kind of shop with shelves packed full of products, but you won’t find expert advice by simply browsing the shelves.
