SAMAYA x MATHIAS STEIDEL

 

 

Join Mathias Steidel and his companions on a Nordic odyssey where the power of nature meets human ingenuity. Between the thrill of the rapids, the tranquility of the vast wilderness and the bonds forged by effort, this unique adventure redefines the boundaries of the possible.

 

This summer, I answered a call I could no longer ignore. With my two friends Sacha and Esteban, we set out on an expedition to Swedish Lapland. Our challenge: to cross the Sarek National Park, one of the wildest territories in the world, and descend the Kaïtum River, famous for its rapids. 330 kilometers of total autonomy, between imposing mountains and tumultuous waters. A mix of physical exertion, pure adrenalin and constant wonder.

 

I've always been driven by the idea of surpassing myself in extreme environments. When I was looking for the "wildest" park in Lapland, the name Sarek was obvious. But I wanted to go further. Crossing this unspoiled wilderness on foot was a challenge in itself, but I decided to spice up the adventure by adding a descent in a packraft, an ultra-light kayak that can be carried in a rucksack. When I discovered the Kaïtum, a river combining beauty and danger, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. Even though none of us had any white-water experience, this is what adventure is all about: plunging into the unknown.

 

But we didn't set off blindly. A training day with a guide in Briançon gave us the basics for tackling the rapids safely. A few weeks before departure, we tested our equipment at a bivouac in the Drôme: our Samaya 2.5 tent, our packrafts and our freeze-dried meals. Then came the big day. On the platform at Lyon Part-Dieu station, 30kg bags on our backs, we attracted curious looks from passers-by. A three-day train journey across Europe awaited us before we finally set foot in Lapland.

 

The arrival in Sarek Park was breathtaking. After crossing by motorboat to Ritsem, we discovered a landscape that was both imposing and intimidating. Majestic mountains, absolute silence and an icy air that seemed to welcome us. Right from the start, a local resident added a touch of mystery to our adventure. From his wooden hut, he advised us on our itinerary while warning us of the presence of a brown bear in the vicinity. This idea added a small dose of apprehension to our excitement.

 

Our first steps in the park were heavy, literally. Our bags were pulling us backwards and every step felt like a struggle. But the breathtaking scenery, the deep silence of the mountains and the vastness around us made it all euphoric. We set up our first camp on a hill surrounded by glaciers, under a sky tinted pink by the midnight sun. Despite the icy wind blowing relentlessly, it was a moment of pure magic.

 

The following days followed a well-established rhythm: rising at dawn, oatmeal for breakfast, a thirty-kilometer walk interspersed with icy river crossings and bivouacs under the stars. But crossing the Rapa Valley was a turning point. Between dense vegetation and endless swamps, every step became an ordeal. The omnipresent mosquitoes made every pause unbearable, turning this arctic jungle into a real mental ordeal. Nevertheless, we pushed on, carried along by an unshakeable determination.

 

The climb up to Skierfe offered us a respite. Leaving the swamps to climb to higher ground, we escaped the humidity and regained some serenity. Perched at over 1,000 metres, this spectacular promontory overlooks the Rapa Valley. After hours of effort in the rain and wind, a clearing finally revealed a magnificent panorama, rewarding every drop of sweat we'd shed to get there.

 

The descent took us to the Kaïtum, where a new challenge awaited us. Descending a river renowned for its rapids, armed only with our beginner's training, was both exhilarating and terrifying. The first few days were marked by rain, endless lakes and a wind that seemed to want to push us backwards. But the first rapids changed all that. The adrenalin was pumping as we navigated between tumultuous currents and the "Chicken Pass", the calmer paths we sometimes took to avoid impassable zones. With each portage, we crossed slippery rocks and dense forests, sometimes on the verge of exhaustion. But the feeling of progress made every effort rewarding.

 

One moment remains engraved in my memory: a particularly tricky passage where the current formed a veritable washing machine. Despite my caution, I found myself in the icy water, clinging to my packraft so as not to lose my gear. Thanks to the precision of Esteban, who launched a rope from the shore, I was pulled to safety. More fear than harm, and above all, an adventure I won't soon forget.

 

The last few kilometers were a race against time. Discovering that a bus was waiting for us at 9 a.m. the following day, we mustered our last bit of strength to cover 40 kilometers in one afternoon. The river current and bright sunshine offered us a final gift, making this final stage almost light despite the accumulated fatigue. In the evening, at a freeway service area, we emptied our last rations in an impromptu feast, celebrating the end of our journey.

 

At the end of 11 days, we had crossed 330 kilometers of wilderness, pushed back our limits and lived an adventure that will stay with me forever. More than an expedition, this experience offered me a deep connection with nature and with my companions. I came home changed, with an immense respect for this land and a renewed desire to continue exploring the unknown.