SAMAYA x CÉLESTINE DESOEURBRUN

 

 

Setting off alone, tackling the mountains and exploring the vast Alpine spaces: this was the challenge Célestine chose to take up in 2024. Through the Via Alpina, she embarked on a four-month journey in complete autonomy, where each step resounded like a return to the essentials.

 

 

On June 1, 2024, I set off on the Via Alpina, a mythical route linking Slovenia to Monaco, crossing eight Alpine countries. With my backpack, tent and stove as my only companions, I aimed to cover 2,650 kilometers in complete autonomy. This project was not only a physical adventure, but also a true inner journey.

 

The Via Alpina has always fascinated me. This itinerary, designed to link the wide-open spaces of the Alpine arc, passes through incredibly varied landscapes and offers a glimpse of mountain cultures unique to each region. What attracted me was the idea of immersing myself in an experience where I would be confronted with myself, far from modern comforts.

 

Accustomed to short bivouacs, I knew this expedition would be different. I was going to have to adapt to the specificities of each country, the local rules concerning bivouacs and the challenges of a sometimes unpredictable environment. The unknown was both exciting and intimidating.

 

 

Throughout this adventure, the mountains reminded me that they were my masters. Each day brought its own challenges: from snow-covered passes to endless descents, from technical passages to capricious weather conditions. I covered an average of 20 kilometers a day, often with an impressive vertical drop.

 

One of my most memorable moments was crossing the Vermuntgletscher glacier on the border between Austria and Switzerland in the Silvretta Alps. On that day, the fog was so dense that I could only see a few meters in front of me. Fortunately, I came across two German hikers with whom I roped up for a safe crossing. 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 I crossed and every stage I completed filled me with satisfaction, reminding me why I was there.

 

 

For me, autonomy was at the heart of this expedition. I wanted to be able to manage everything myself, without depending on anyone else. My pack was a concentrate of essentials: my lightweight but sturdy Samaya2.0 tent, a stove, a few warm clothes and some dehydrated food. My meals, simple and often based on polenta and gorgonzola, were enough to provide me with the energy I needed to move forward each day.

 

My tent was more than just a shelter: it was my refuge, my home. No matter where I pitched it, it gave me a sense of security. In the mountains, every decision counts. The slightest mistake can have consequences, and there's 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 on my own, human encounters also marked my trip. Once, in a small Swiss hamlet, an Italian-German family welcomed me into their home. They offered me a cup of coffee, shared their stories and even offered 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 is always present.

 

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

 

 

Having reached Monaco earlier than planned, I decided to extend my journey to Grenoble. This last improvised stopover was my way of coming full circle and preparing to return to city life. But something in me had changed. Those four months in the mountains had taught me to slow down, savour the simple things and reconnect with myself.

 

This adventure also reminded me that the mountains are a place of freedom, but also of respect. It taught me humility and the importance of living fully in the present moment. I'm leaving with memories that will stay with me forever: the silence of the summits, the stars twinkling above my tent and a 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 keep calling me, and I'll know how to answer them.