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First experience of hammock camping and self-supported hike.
To this day, my most memorable and immersive hiking experience !
To this day, my most memorable and immersive hiking experience !
Day 0 - Arrival
We arrive at Chichilianne, at the foot of the Vercors Highlands, the largest natural reserve in France.
Tomorrow, we will hike up the pass between Mount Aiguille and the cliffs on the left, to reach the Highlands on the other side.
We will carry food for 4 days. Water will be found at water points.
The place is spectacular and adventure awaits !
We will carry food for 4 days. Water will be found at water points.
The place is spectacular and adventure awaits !
Day 1 - Climb to the Highlands
800 meters of elevation climb to the Highlands.
During most of these 4 days, we will see no humans.
During most of these 4 days, we will see no humans.
After a 3 hour climb, we see Mount Aiguille from up close.
We soak in the view and keep going.
We soak in the view and keep going.
Turns out there was more to climb !
When we reach the Highlands, we are greeted by a landscape like nothing I have seen before.
If stoicism was a landscape, it would probably look like this.
Untouched, harsh and serene.
If stoicism was a landscape, it would probably look like this.
Untouched, harsh and serene.
As we start looking for a place to camp, we walk into a herd of sheep.
There are no fences, we share the same space. It gives me a feeling of being part of this place.
There are no fences, we share the same space. It gives me a feeling of being part of this place.
Night 1
Our first hammock night turned out to be a learning experience !
We didn't realize a hammock setup needs an underquilt, since sleeping bags don't block the cold from underneath, which, in a hammock, is exposed.
This night was brutally cold 🥶
For the rest of the trip, we used the emergency blanket from our survival kit.
We didn't realize a hammock setup needs an underquilt, since sleeping bags don't block the cold from underneath, which, in a hammock, is exposed.
This night was brutally cold 🥶
For the rest of the trip, we used the emergency blanket from our survival kit.
Every night, we put our backpacks (with the food) up in a tree away from camp to avoid unpleasant visits at night.
Day 2 - Grand Veymont
We fill up our water supplies for the day and head to the highest mount of the reserve at 2300m.
This climb was the highlight of the trip for me. Worth every effort !
Carrying 15kg backpacks, the way up was no cake walk, but the way down was the most challenging.
In the descent, I broke one of my hiking sticks.
In the descent, I broke one of my hiking sticks.
Back in the highlands, we set camp for the night.
Before we know it, another herd of sheeps walks through our camp.
Watching them pass by was a mix of amusement and anxiety, hoping they wouldn't set their camp next to ours 😅
Before we know it, another herd of sheeps walks through our camp.
Watching them pass by was a mix of amusement and anxiety, hoping they wouldn't set their camp next to ours 😅
They stayed in the area for an hour and then started to leave.
After the sheeps left, the place became silent.
Night 2
After what happened the first night, we took out our emergency blanket and hoped for the best.
In the middle of the night, I heard steps approaching.
The night was pitch black and silent.
The steps stopped 3 meters away from my hammock.
I was trying to be completely silent. Not moving, breathing as silently as I could, listening for any noise.
After a minute or so, the animal left, as calmly as he has arrived.
Probably a dear.
A humbling reminder that I was a guest in someone else's house.
The night was pitch black and silent.
The steps stopped 3 meters away from my hammock.
I was trying to be completely silent. Not moving, breathing as silently as I could, listening for any noise.
After a minute or so, the animal left, as calmly as he has arrived.
Probably a dear.
A humbling reminder that I was a guest in someone else's house.
Day 3 - Balcony
Today we walk the balcony, a path running along the cliffs, midway between the bottom and the top.
Another day of 7 hours of hiking with 800 D+, finishing just in time to set up camp before nightfall.
Another day of 7 hours of hiking with 800 D+, finishing just in time to set up camp before nightfall.
By now, I start feeling a connection with nature.
Priorities are reset to the basics: find water, set up camp, eat, contemplate.
I am filled with a sense of clarity and harmony.
Priorities are reset to the basics: find water, set up camp, eat, contemplate.
I am filled with a sense of clarity and harmony.
Night 3
The third night was windy but less crazy than the first two.
Day 4 - Heading back
Last day.
No food today. The gas cylinders we use to boil water for our meals had run out.
Thankfully, it's only a 5 or 6 hours hike back to Chichilianne.
No food today. The gas cylinders we use to boil water for our meals had run out.
Thankfully, it's only a 5 or 6 hours hike back to Chichilianne.
This trip was special to me.
It made me thankful for the comfort we take for granted. Food, water, a shower, a bed...
I was expecting that.
But I didn't expect that it would made me feel vulnerable, connected, and ultimately, alive.
It showed me how living a simple life can bring fullfillment and peace of mind.
I forget these things easily, so I tell myself I will come back.
It made me thankful for the comfort we take for granted. Food, water, a shower, a bed...
I was expecting that.
But I didn't expect that it would made me feel vulnerable, connected, and ultimately, alive.
It showed me how living a simple life can bring fullfillment and peace of mind.
I forget these things easily, so I tell myself I will come back.
