SAMAYA x LES CRAPAHUTEURS

 

 

If the call of nature is strong, the call of comfort can be even stronger. When Jean-Jacques Rousseau urges us to wander off the beaten track to find our way back to ourselves, we prefer to take refuge in the warmth of our comforter and pillow. At least that's the case for Luigi and me.

 

Once in a while, the urge to step outside is stronger than usual. From the window, you can see the mountain silhouetted against a brilliant blue sky. You can make out plains, fir trees, cliff cavities and what is inexorably becoming the goal: the summit. What if we were to spend the night under the stars? What if we gave ourselves the gift of finding comfort elsewhere, outside the whirlwind of life?

 

Filled with excitement, we plan to go out that evening. The clear skies and stable weather promise a sumptuous sunset. Once the day's work is done, we hurry to pack our bags. In the Samaya ALPINE35, I easily fit my mattress, my comforter, my water supply and my small lightweight tent Samaya INSTANT2, the ideal companion for these impromptu outings.

 

In "Les Rêveries du promeneur solitaire", Rousseau realizes that man can escape the evils of civilization by taking refuge in nature. As we ascend the trail of roots, then lapiaz, we don't tend towards the same conclusions. We're too busy noticing how our breath is getting shorter in proportion to the increase in altitude. On our warmed-up faces, however, shine two pairs of eyes that sparkle as the landscape unfolds. As the sun begins to set, the sky begins to take on an ochre hue. The rock immediately begins to sparkle, the granite glistening. It's a sight to rival the finest works of art.

 

We continue our ascent, breathless - is it the view, is it our poor cardio? At this stage, you be the judge. The few dozen meters that separate us from the finish galvanize us. Our legs become light again and we swallow the distance without even realizing it. The apotheosis is here. The height reveals infinite panoramas of mountains, each with its own distinct shape, yet all merging into a perfect picture. The sky, tinged with pink, completes this daily work of nature.

 

We set up our tent on flat ground, under good auspices. Sunset is only five minutes away. As it was already well underway when we arrived, we soon found ourselves plunged into darkness. Failing to find the light switch in our dining room, we turn on our headlamps to finish our dinner. The wind soon picks up.

 

The warmth of our down jackets warms our bodies and hearts. Before slipping into our cocoon for the night, we take in the starry sky and put away the headlamps. It takes a few minutes for our eyes to adjust to the dim light. The mountain ridges stand out against the dark night, cradled by the millions of stars watching over them.

 

The cold finally gets the better of us and we dive into our comforters.

 

The night will be short, but good.

 

At the top of this mountain, alone, any notion of comfort is put into perspective. The imposing King Size is replaced by a thin canvas tent that represents everything for us: warmth, a shield against wind and rain, and safety.

 

In the early hours of the morning, the sight of nature rivals that of the day before. Not a sound, just soft colors dancing above the peaks, announcing the arrival of the sun. It moves swiftly and radiates everything around it. The timid warmth of its first rays accompanies us as we pack up camp and make our way back down.

 

This bivouac suspended in time and Rousseau's teachings will lull us through the day.

 

Les Crapahuteurs
Louise Burgher & Luigi Allegro