Chronicles of the Moment [1/3]

 

At Samaya, we strongly believe in the power of storytelling. It inspires our choices of outings, ascents, bivouacs, and travels, and ultimately changes our lives in indirect ways. As this atypical year comes to a close, with the cold setting in and the snow glistening, a different relationship with the mountains is emerging. We are eager to share this new vision of the mountains with you through a series of chronicles. Let yourself be guided toward reclaiming the present moment by looking upward, toward that place we love so much, toward that unique spot where the ground ends to meet the starry sky.

CHAPTER 1: DREAMING IT

One of the unique features of mountaineering is the dream that precedes the action.

As Gaston Rébuffat once said: "A mountaineer is a man who leads his body to where his eyes have once gazed." This quote is inspiring and applies to all enthusiasts seeking to reconnect with nature. It invites us to lift our heads and move toward what makes us dream.

But what happens between reading a story, contemplating a mountain, and the moment we find ourselves in these cherished, desired places, meticulously preparing a platform to set up our shelter for one or more nights?

Even the greatest winter achievement is born from a desire, which matures to transform into a project, into actions, and finally, after some time, into destiny.

This genesis from dream to realization is often deeply personal and constitutes an ascent in itself. The path that separates this dream from its fulfillment is not without effort. It requires passion, willpower, and, in fact, preparation with suitable equipment.

While it is but one step from desire to project, one must still take it.

While the mountains are immensely attractive and enchanting in this season, they can also prove inhospitable. Preparation is therefore decisive and also involves excellent self-awareness, both physically and mentally.

The writer and philosopher Gustave Thibon would often remind us that "being in the wind is an ambition of a dead leaf." To fully experience one's ascent, it is essential to dream it for oneself, rather than responding to expectations and motivations that are not one's own. This is where the intimate origin of the project takes on its full meaning: anchored deep within every enthusiast, experienced or not, it gives them the inner strength to take the step between dream and action. The time spent amidst these natural cathedrals then stretches out.

The most beautiful adventure story will never replace the experience of an intense interaction with nature, and it is never too late to take the plunge. An itinerary project driven by the power of a dream makes it an initiatory journey. What we keep within ourselves when we descend is an infinitely precious asset, and the personal benefit associated with it is not necessarily proportional to the level of commitment.

If, through these few lines, we can give you the confidence and the desire to revive old dreams, whatever they may be, and transform them into projects, then—whatever anyone says—this end of the year will truly be the year of the moment.