Revers gagnant

 

ASCENT TO THE ARGENTIERE GLACIER - MARCH 2021

 

ATHLETES, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SAMAYA TEAM, ALL UNITED IN THE SAMAYA FAMILY, GATHER IN THE MONT-BLANC MASSIF FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE.

 

Discover the movie about the 'No Siesta' Base Camp

The members of the Samaya Family look back on their latest adventure to the Argentière glacier: a singular adventure driven by the desire to share moments around a common passion for exceptional technical products. The crew, in search of memorable adventures, returned from the expedition tighter than ever, sharing stories and special memories.

 

The term "No Siesta" is rich in meaning for mountaineers. Firstly, because it evokes the North Face of Les Jorasses - a highly inspiring route for mountaineering insiders - which lies a valley away from the selected base camp. This route, opened in 1986 on the Croz spur, continues to inspire the world's greatest climbers and is a perfect symbol of winter action. What's more, the name is a nod to the way Samaya imagines each of its products, as a link between contemplation and action. The practice of winter bivouac reflects the associated values so dear to Samaya. It is these values that the brand wishes to convey above all through this magnificent story.

 

 

EIGHT HOURS that's the time it would have taken the teams to complete the full approach from down in Argentiere. The time of arrival at the camp leaves a window of one and a half hours of sunshine before plunging into piercing cold, reminding us that winter is not so far away. A place to live is actively organized and each person is working on a specific mission. Efficiency is the order of the day and dusk arrives at the right moment. Once everything is in place, everyone raises a glass: the "No Siesta" is well and truly launched.

 

DURING THE FIRST NIGHT, snow fell and winds danced around camp. Stoves are burning, snow is melting into water and the table is filling up with food, tea and coffee. The teams gradually think through and refine the day's programme as the wind drops. The sky breaks up, giving way to the grandiose scenery of the Courtes, the Droites and the Verte. The morning is organized around different activities between parties leaving and the athletes' interviews. Passion and commitment are the key words. Christophe Dumarest puts down a mark by landing his paraglider at base camp, which starts the hostilities of the lunch break.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, gathered in the bitter cold of twilight, the brand's founders - Ghislain Pipers and Arthur Jallas - take the stage to present the Samaya products. It's the perfect opportunity to show athletes the latest products, gather their observations and target the right models for each person's next trip. Steep-slope skiers and snowboarders, committed mountaineers, paragliders, base-jumpers: they all have expert eyes and demanding needs that Samaya strives to meet.

 

ON THE FRIDAY, the camp is already active at 6:30 am. The rope parties get organized, take something to eat and set off towards the glacier. Some athletes decide to head for the Charlet Ghilini route, while others prefer to head for Les Courtes to climb the north-east face. Radios on, photographers are on the lookout to capture their descent. At the same time, the dismantling of the camp is methodically organized and "No Siesta" is ended and crowned as a great achievement under the heat of spring. The space on the glacier returns to its original state: nothing is left on the spot, the glacier finds its nature virgin of any human trace, the only trace being that of unforgettable experiences anchored forever in the memory of the participants.

 

The entire Samaya team would like to thank the athletes for their presence, the photographers for their work, the guides for their guidance and the staff for their organization and contribution to the success of this event.

 

WHAT WE'LL REMEMBER

 

• An intense climb between effort and wonder.

As for the Five Star Base Camp As with "Five Star Base Camp", the journey, the effort and the complicity required to reach the goal all play an equally important part in the success of the whole, and in its value. It's a "by fair means" approach, so dear to Samaya, according to which the end doesn't justify the means. Once the camp was up and running, the "No Siesta Base Camp" was all about action.

 

• The feeling of being present and fully aware.

After the first night at base camp, the excitement of the participants was palpable when they woke up, as they discovered that snow had fallen during the night and made the landscape look like the moon. Alone, perched several thousand metres above sea level, the silence and the beauty of the surrounding landscape gave way to a feeling of plenitude that was all the more intense because it lasted.

 

• The sharing of extraordinary moments in life.

Each participant brings his or her stone to the building of happiness, hearts are in joy. It doesn't take anything more than the good mood of being together to share exceptional moments and authentic smiles.

 

Photo credits: Marc Daviet