Šimánek studied civil engineering. He left communist Czechoslovakia in 1968. He settled in Germany where he gained citizenship and lived at different times of his life. He worked as an architect in Passau. He also lived in Canada where he built his own cabin. He first wrote his books in German language but later also in his native Czech. Apart of travel books, he also wrote a novel called "V zajetí polární zimy". As a mountaineer, he made first ascent at Mount Queen Bess in British Columbia.