Grand finale
Before I verbally gush about how nice it was this year, I need to look back at the last day of the Montane JIBE JAHA. That was the final day for Martin Šilhán. When he set out from Roznov with his special boots that purposely cause pain in order to see the result, I knew that he would not give up from here and that he would reach the finish line.
Because of his sore heels, he often had to tiptoe like a ballet dancer. And the Beskydy ridge is full of rocks and unevenness that Martina stabbed to a standstill. But he set a steady pace, which he kept honestly, neither slowing down nor speeding up. The Beskids rewarded him with beautiful weather. Apparently they were happy, as we were, that Martin had made it to the stage where it was only a matter of time before he would reach Havířov.
The last night, when he bivouacked in a meadow under the open sky, offered him the best experience of the whole race. He was lying under that beautiful night sky, lying on that huge piece of rock, and it carried him and all of us through the endless universe. Unfortunately, the pain of the stalemate was not cured by this moment, and he had to reach often to the limits of his moral strength on the last day.
And thirdly, all the best. Martin stood at the start for the third time. The first attempt ended very early, in the Krkonoše Mountains, due to serious frostbite, which still plagues him today. The second attempt ended halfway through. At that time, thanks to the disgusting weather, 300 km was enough for him. And now, at 1:28 a.m. on Tuesday morning he stood under the Victory Arch of Havířov. He doesn't show emotion, but the sparkle in his eye betrays that he is happy. And together with him, we are also very happy that it finally worked out.
With the arrival of Martin, this year's third edition of the challenge has come to an end. Even more than a day before the limit expires. This challenge has reinforced that it's always going to be something a little different every time and that's the beauty of it. Different weather, different conditions, different souls, different atmosphere. It's such a live challenge where you can prepare and plan everything as best you can, but it's still all going to be different afterwards. But it will always bring a kind of experience, experience and camaraderie.
We believe that everyone took away something from the above. For better or worse, I guess it doesn't matter. As long as it brought something back and disrupted the merry-go-round of reality. And that's the biggest motivation for us. To see that this kind of entertainment makes a person more alive, more experienced, more humble. However, if we look at it a bit philosophically, we are just a temporary cluster of atoms and our pidi-short existence here should be used to enjoy ourselves.
But enough of the philosophical mumbo jumbo. We're just very glad that it was a good event in a good group of people again. Huge congratulations and respect to everyone for their performances. And a huge thank you to the company Vertonewhich gives it all material security and supports our idea of JIBE. Many thanks to our helpers. Aunt Vera and everyone's favorite Dirt CPfor which we are very grateful Radek and Sarka . Karel Francke and his broth in Maršov. Lenka Zemínová and her help with everything over the weekend. Eva Hostinska for asylum and especially gourmet security in Havířov. Srubu Karolina in Maršov for very cozy accommodation. Chalet under the ski slope for a great place for CP. Wonderful Lentilka cottage in Rožnov, where it was a pleasure to wait for the participants. And to all the complete strangers who didn't hesitate to hit the trail to support the participants along the way, whether with a kind word or refreshments.
And if you happen to miss watching the rectangles on the screen, I have good news for you, because now it's our turn. Starting Feb. 23, you can follow Hosta and me at the Alaska Iditarod trail invitational. where we'll be doing the Havířov version of the 600km.
We are looking forward to the fourth edition of Montane JIBE JAHA.
Guest and Venc Francke
