Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Adventurous Duo Embarks on “5athlon” Expedition from Norway to South Africa
Finnish adventurers Peyman, aged 42, and Sailor, aged 36, are on an audacious journey that combines multiple disciplines into a single extreme challenge. Known for their collective social media presence under the name Nomad’s Trails, the pair has set out on a “5athlon” expedition that spans continents from Norway to South Africa. This extensive project, which involves activities like skiing, running, cycling, swimming, and sailing, is expected to last approximately two and a half years.
Their adventure commenced on January 27, 2025, with the first phase focusing on skiing and hauling sleds for a distance of 795 kilometers from North Cape, Norway, to Rovaniemi, Finland. Following this, their plan includes running from Rovaniemi to Helsinki, swimming to Tallinn, cycling through Europe to Greece, sailing to Egypt, and ultimately cycling through Africa to reach South Africa.
Their undertaking is marked by self-sufficiency, relying largely on their own strength and resourcefulness as they progress. The only planned external support is a safety boat during their swimming segment. The duo intends to camp for the majority of their travels and will rest in towns to recharge, replenish supplies, and conduct repairs. During these stops, they may utilize public transportation as needed.
Shared Spirit of Adventure
Meeting in Helsinki in late 2022, Peyman and Sailor soon identified a shared passion for adventure. Both have extensive experience in solo expeditions, with Peyman having spent eight years living in a tent and cycling over 55,000 kilometers across three continents, while Sailor has explored 30 countries. Since their partnership began, they have undertaken various challenges, such as biking and rafting through Finnish Lapland and cycling across Kenya on modest budgets.
The initial week of their 5athlon saw them adjusting to the demands of hauling lightweight 50-kilogram sleds over snow. Weather conditions, including snowstorms, occasionally restricted their movement, prompting them to refine their daily routines and gradually increase their travel distance. After their first week, they managed to trek about 12 kilometers each day, reaching their first significant stop in Honningsvåg.
Planning to stay briefly, they found themselves stranded for almost a week due to inclement weather. Upon departing Honningsvåg, they encountered a new complication when snow conditions hindered their travel. For some time, they pulled their sleds across heather until fresh snowfall presented them with a new challenge of navigating through deep, soft snow, resulting in limited skiing hours with minimal progress.
Innovative Problem Solving
As the expedition progressed into its second month, the limitations of using skis alone for sled hauling became apparent. Seeking a solution, they built wheeled carts for their sleds after discovering a hardware store in Lakselvi. This adaptation proved crucial, allowing them to maintain their momentum despite the challenging conditions.
Approximately eight weeks into their journey, the duo shifted their operational routine. While Peyman manages his work remotely—editing their footage and sharing updates—Sailor has taken up a role with the Finnish Coast Guard, requiring her to occasionally travel back home for brief intervals. During her absences, Peyman continues their travel and content creation independently, enhancing their growing audience, which has surpassed 100,000 subscribers on their YouTube channel.
On March 23, Sailor returned just in time to celebrate a significant milestone by crossing the Norwegian-Finnish border on skis, a rare opportunity that elicited excitement from both adventurers.
However, soon after entering Finland, Sailor discovered she was affected by norovirus, and Peyman followed suit. After battling the illness for three days, they managed to resume skiing by their fourth day. With approximately 300 kilometers remaining until they reach Rovaniemi and the conclusion of this initial phase, the duo continues to adapt their strategy as rising temperatures pose further challenges to their progress.
Source
explorersweb.com