SAMAYA x LES CRAPAHUTEURS

 

 

If the call of the wild is strong, the call of comfort can be even stronger. When Jean-Jacques Rousseau urges us to wander off the beaten path to find the way back to ourselves, we prefer to take refuge, warm and cozy, between the duvet and the pillow. At least, that is the case for Luigi and me.

 

Every once in a while, the urge to stick our noses outside feels stronger than usual. From the window, we watch the mountains silhouetted against a bright blue sky. We can make out the plains, the fir trees, the hollows in the cliffs, and what inexorably becomes the objective: 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 the outing that very evening. The clear sky and stable weather promise a sumptuous sunset. Once the workday is over, we hasten to pack our bags. In the Samaya ALPINE35, I easily fit my sleeping mat, my sleeping bag, my water supply, and my small, lightweight Samaya INSTANT2 tent, the ideal companion for these impromptu outings.

 

In “Reveries of the Solitary Walker,” Rousseau realizes that man can escape the ills of civilization by taking refuge in nature. Mid-climb on the trail of roots and then limestone pavement, we don’t reach the same conclusions. We are too busy noticing how much our breath is shortening in proportion to the increasing elevation. Yet, on our flushed faces, shine two pairs of eyes that sparkle as the landscape reveals itself. The glow of the sunset begins to appear, and the sky is already tinged with an ochre veil. The rock suddenly starts to sparkle, the granite glitters. This spectacle is a match for the most beautiful works of art.

 

We continue our ascent, breathless—is it the view, or is it our poor cardio? At this stage, you are the only judges. The few dozen meters that separate us from the finish line galvanize us. Our legs become light again and we cover the distance without even realizing it. The apotheosis is here. Gaining height reveals infinite panoramas of mountains, with their distinct shapes that nonetheless merge into a perfect tableau. The sky, tinted with pink, completes this daily masterpiece of nature.

 

We set up our tent on flat ground and under good auspices. A sunset only lasts five minutes. As it was already well underway when we arrived, we quickly found ourselves plunged into darkness. Lacking a light switch for our dining room, we turn on our headlamps to finish our dinner. Soon, the wind picks up.

 

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

 

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

 

The night will be short, but good.

 

At the top of this mountain, alone, every notion of comfort is put into perspective. The massive King Size is replaced by a thin tent fabric that means everything to us: warmth, a shield against the wind and rain, security.

 

In the early morning, the spectacle nature provides rivals that of the day before. Not a sound, only soft colors dancing above the peaks, heralding the arrival of the sun. It rises quickly and radiates everything around it. The timid warmth released by its first rays accompanies us as we pack up camp and throughout our descent.

 

This bivouac, suspended in time, and the teachings of Rousseau will color our entire day.

 

Les Crapahuteurs
Louise Burgher & Luigi Allegro