Backhand winner

ASCENT OF THE GLACIER D'ARGENTIÈRE – MARCH 2021

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

Check out the movie 'No Siesta' Base Camp

The members of the Samaya® Family look back on their last adventure at the Argentière glacier: a singular adventure driven by the desire to experience moments of sharing around the same passion for exceptional technical products. The crew in search of memorable adventures returned from the expedition more united than ever, sharing a history and privileged memories.

The term "No Siesta" is rich in meaning for mountaineers. First of all, because it evokes the north face of the Jorasses – a very inspiring course for mountaineering insiders – which is a valley away from the selected base camp. This route opened in 1986 on the Croz spur continues to inspire the greatest of this environment and is a perfect symbol of winter action. Moreover, this name is a nod to the way Samaya® imagines each of its products, like a link between contemplation and action. This practice of winter bivouac reflects the associated values ​​so dear to Samaya®. These are the values ​​that the brand wishes to convey above all through this magnificent story.

EIGHT HOURS is the time it took the teams to complete this approach from Argentière. The time of arrival at camp leaves a window of an hour and a half of sunshine before plunging into a piercing cold reminder that winter is not that far away. A place of life is actively organized and everyone is working on a specific mission. Efficiency is essential and dusk arrives just in time. Once everything is in place, everyone raises their glass: the "No Siesta" is well and truly launched.

DURING THE FIRST NIGHT , the snow fell and the wind blew over the camp. The stoves burn, the snow melts into water and the table fills with food, tea and coffee. The teams are gradually refining the program for the day as the wind drops. The sky is torn, giving way to the grandiose decor of the Courtes, the Droites and the Verte. The morning is orchestrated around various activities between race starts and athlete interviews. Passion and commitment are the watchwords. Christophe Dumarest signs a paragliding landing at the base camp which opens the hostilities of the meridian break.

AT THE END OF THE DAY , gathered in the biting cold of dusk, the founders of the brand – Ghislain Pipers and Arthur Jallas – take the floor to present the Samaya® products. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the latest innovations to athletes, to collect their observations and to target the appropriate models for everyone's next trips. Skiers and snowboarders on steep slopes, mountaineers with committed practices, paragliders, base jumpers: all have an expert eye and demanding needs that Samaya® strives to meet.

THE NEXT DAY , the camp is active from 6:30 am. The roped parties organize themselves, take something to eat and set off for the glacier. Athletes decide to go towards the Charlet Ghilini route, while others prefer to go towards Les Courtes to climb the northeast face. Radios on, photographers are on the lookout to capture their descent. In parallel, the dismantling of the camp is organized methodically and it is under a spring heat that the "No Siesta" is crowned. The place of the camp takes back its initial aspect: nothing is left on the spot, the glacier finds its nature virgin of any human trace, leaving like only trace that of unforgettable memories 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 supervision and the collaborators for the organization and for their contribution to the success of this event.

WHAT WE WILL REMEMBER

• An intense ascent between effort and wonder.

As with the " Five Star Base Camp ", the progress, the effort and the complicity necessary to reach the goal ultimately play a large part in the success of the whole and its value. That of a “by fair means” approach, so dear to Samaya®, according to which the end does not justify the means. Once the camp was set up, the "No Siesta Base Camp" put the spotlight on action above all else.

• The feeling of being present, in full awareness.

After the first night at base camp, the excitement of the awakening participants was palpable when they discovered the snow that had fallen during the night and had given way to a lunar atmosphere. Alone, perched several thousand meters above sea level, the silence and beauty of the surrounding landscape have given way to a feeling of plenitude that is all the more intense as it is lasting.

• Sharing extraordinary moments of life.

Each participant brings his stone to the building of happiness, the hearts are in joy. It takes nothing more than good humor to be together to share exceptional moments and genuine smiles.

Photo credits: Marc Daviet