SAMAYA x JULIEN LACRAMPE

 

 

Following a paragliding accident in 2022, seasoned climber Julien Lacrampe embarked on a one-month traverse of the High Pyrenees via its summits. For Samaya, Julien shares his experience with us, from risk management to self-sufficiency at high altitude.

 

How did you come up with the idea for this project?

Julien Lacrampe: After my paragliding fall last year, I decided to slowly get back into climbing by touring the High Pyrenees, following the border for 800 km along the peaks and ridges. It was a way to rediscover my native region and showcase it through a film. I wanted to show that there are magnificent things to do close to home and that you can absolutely undertake more committed experiences, even at 3,000 meters altitude.

 

Your project lasted a month; how did you organize it?

JL: I brought my friend and videographer Hugo with me for the entire project. I was mostly alone, moving from peak to peak for a few days, then Hugo would join me to resupply with food and do a few climbing pitches with me before heading back down for the following days. Since I was spending a month in the mountains to complete this traverse, it wasn't feasible to leave with that much food. I would have been way too heavy and it would have hindered my progress. It would have even been more dangerous, since I was mostly traversing via the summits, which involves a lot of climbing and requires the greatest possible lightness.

 

At high altitude and over such a long period, you must have faced changing weather conditions. How did you manage that variable?

JL: At the beginning of my traverse, the weather wasn't very good. I set off anyway and ended up completely soaked for 5 days, unable to dry my gear in the evening. But it created a mood in the fog. It was special. I was still happy to enjoy the good weather for the next 20 days. I was able to stay constantly in the mountains, at an average of 2,500 meters, to complete 160 peaks. It was quite a long haul. My days were rather intense. I would wake up around 7 or 8 a.m. and stop in the evening around 7 p.m. There are no secrets if you want to make progress. On some sections, I was joined by friends. The pace was calmer and I enjoyed it differently. When I was moving on my own, I bivouacked. What was great about the tent is that even up there, stuck in the heart of storms, I was comfortable in my tent, which was super waterproof.

 

The concept of risk is different when you are alone versus with others. How did you handle that?

JL: In the end, despite Hugo's visits and the shared segments, I spent a lot of time by myself. This situation added significant responsibility regarding safety. For the ascents, I chose pitches well below my skill level to ensure my safety. Once I reached the top, I would downclimb on the other side when it wasn't too difficult, then set up rappels with my 15-meter rope. The descending parts pushed me to reflect and analyze my environment a lot. I had no room for error.

 

©Photographs taken by Hugo Aussenac