SAMAYA x CÉLESTINE DESOEURBRUN

 

 

Setting off alone, facing the mountains, and exploring the vast alpine spaces: this is the challenge Célestine chose to take on in 2024. Along the Via Alpina, she experienced a four-month journey in complete self-sufficiency, where every step felt like a return to the essentials.

 

 

On June 1st, 2024, I set off on the Via Alpina, a legendary route connecting Slovenia to Monaco, crossing eight alpine countries. With my backpack, my tent, and my stove as my only companions, my goal was to cover 2,650 kilometers in complete self-sufficiency. This project was not just a physical adventure, but also a true inner journey.

 

The Via Alpina has always fascinated me. This route, designed to connect the vast spaces of the alpine arc, crosses incredibly varied landscapes and offers a glimpse into the unique mountain cultures of each region. What drew me to it was the idea of immersing myself in an experience where I would be confronted with myself, far from modern comforts.

 

Used to short-term bivouacs, I knew this expedition would be different. I would have to adapt to the specificities of each country, local rules regarding camping, and the challenges of an sometimes unpredictable environment. The unknown was both exciting and intimidating.

 

 

Throughout this adventure, the mountains reminded me that they were in charge. Every day brought its share of challenges: from snow-covered passes to endless descents, from technical sections to fickle weather conditions. I covered an average of 20 kilometers a day, often with significant elevation gain.

 

One of the most memorable moments was crossing the Vermuntgletscher glacier, on the border between Austria and Switzerland, in the Silvretta Alps. That day, the fog was so dense that I could only see a few meters ahead. Fortunately, I ran into two German hikers with whom I roped up to cross safely. This passage, both terrifying and exhilarating, reminded me that the mountains demand humility and preparation.

 

There were also moments of anxiety, especially at night when I was alone in my tent. The sounds of nature, amplified by the darkness, sometimes made it difficult to sleep. But every pass conquered and every stage completed filled me with satisfaction, reminding me why I was there.

 

 

For me, self-sufficiency was at the heart of this expedition. I wanted to be able to manage everything on my own, without depending on anyone. My pack was a concentrate of the essentials: my Samaya2.0 tent, lightweight yet robust, a stove, a few warm clothes, and dehydrated food. My meals, simple and often based on polenta and gorgonzola, were enough to provide me with the energy needed to keep moving every day.

 

My tent was much more than just a shelter: it was my refuge, my home. No matter where I pitched it, it provided me with a sense of security. In the mountains, every decision counts. The slightest mistake can have consequences, and there is no one else to deal with them. This sense of responsibility taught me to anticipate and think carefully about each step before taking it.

 

 

Although I spent a lot of time alone, human encounters also marked my journey. Once, in a small Swiss hamlet, an Italian-German family welcomed me into their home. They offered me coffee, shared their stories, and even invited me to pitch my tent next to their house. These moments of spontaneous hospitality touched me deeply, reminding me that even in the most remote places, humanity remains ever-present.

 

In Italy, I met a shepherd who told me about his life in the mountains. His simplicity, his love for his work, and his deep connection with his environment inspired me. These exchanges allowed me to discover another facet of the mountains, that of those who live there all year round and know them better than anyone else.

 

 

After reaching Monaco earlier than expected, I decided to extend my trip to Grenoble. This last-minute improvised stage was my way of coming full circle and preparing to return to city life. But something in me had changed. These four months in the mountains had taught me to slow down, to savor the simple things, and to reconnect with myself.

 

This adventure also reminded me that the mountains are a place of freedom, but also of respect. They taught me humility and the importance of living fully in the present moment. I am leaving with memories etched forever: the silence of the peaks, the stars twinkling above my tent, and that deep sense of accomplishment that nothing and no one can take away from me.

 

I don't yet know what my next adventure will be, but one thing is certain: the mountains continue to call me, and I will know how to answer.