From Monaco to Vienna, they crossed the entire Alpine arc on foot
9-Dec-2020
Having left the Principality of Monaco at the end of June, two friends based in Argentière reached Vienna, Austria, on a four-month journey through the Alps. An extraordinary adventure carried out between the two lockdowns.
Confined in a studio far too small for two addicts to the great outdoors, Elliott Mazzola and Victorien Boutin decided to embark on a pedestrian adventure at the height of the national house arrest that was imposed on them [and all the French people] from mid-March to mid-May. A traveler at heart, Victorien who came to Chamonix four years ago, dreamed of crossing the entire length of the Alps on foot. An epic voyage, but not a race, which would allow him to contemplate the immensity of the Alps at the pace of walking. A well-thought-out project that he proposed to his pal Elliott, whom he met four years ago during a night out in a cabin. “At the start I didn't really want to embark on such a long trip, but I told myself that I could at least make the first part of the trip to Chamonix”, laughs Elliott, the more experienced of the two in the mountains, who in the end pushed on to Vienna.
A photographer, sometimes seasonal worker, and collector of odd jobs, this American and his hardworking artist friend have embarked on a unique journey. Along the way, the duo regularly ran into other hikers, telling them how much they wanted to emulate them and set off on such a long expedition. "It's a life choice," they would systematically answer. On a budget too, since Elliott and Victorien paid for their crossing out of their own pockets. "By allowing ourselves a few small pleasures, we got away for 20 euros per day per person.”
After an in-depth analysis of the maps and an optimization of the backpacks so that they do not exceed fifteen pounds, not to including water and food, the two young men went to Nice at the end of June and then to Monaco to start their alpine pilgrimage. .
The Mercantour, Queyras, Vanoise, Beaufortain [French National Parks and nature reserves] are on the program for the month of July. Victorien and Elliott camped most of the time. Sometimes they treat themselves to the luxury of a night in a hotel or refuge, or even enjoy the hospitality of locals, admirous of their courageous adventure. Because they were not looking to break any speed records, the two friends sometimes take the time to linger more than one night. When they arrive in the Chamonix valley, they catch up and party with their local crew. In Switzerland, they stop for a week of bad weather not far from the Eiger.
3,000 kilometers, it only wears out shoes
Strengthened from a long experience in the Pyrenees hiking the GR10 [in 2019], the two hikers learned to choose their equipment and listen to their body. No boo-boos to lament. Not even a blister during the almost 1,800 miles on foot. Only their shoes, worn smooth by the distance, had to be changed.
In Italy, the beauty of the Dolomites captivates them. As soon as he finds a wifi connection, Elliott publishes photos of the sublime landscapes crossed and their bivouac sites. One photo per day of walking. 144 in total. "Our friends felt like they were on a bit of a trip with us," the photographer smiles.
"In four months, of course we have disputes”
Without transition, the pair go from summer to winter when, at the end of August, the snow suddenly falls at low altitude. The course becomes more complex. Sometimes the tension mounts. "In four months, of course we dispute," laughed the two friends who admit that without the other, they would each have turned back before the end.
After the Julian Alps, they find refuge one night in Slovenia in a climbing gym. Then come Austria and Vienna, always taking the way with as little asphalt as possible. On the way back, it only took 12 hours by train to reach Chamonix. From this epic crossing, the friends keep a multitude of photos and memories. Victorien Boutin wants to write an essay on travel, perhaps to make others want to explore the Alpine Arc with the sheer strength of their legs.
Baptiste SAVIGNAC
The photos of the crossing are visible on the Instagram accounts @zzzzam_photo and @dumpster_ocean
Witnesses to the pandemic and storm Alex
Driven by a pandemic withdrawal, Victorien and Elliott's journey allowed them to take the pulse of the inhabitants of the different countries they crossed and observe various reactions to the disease. If the summer recklessness characterized the start of their journey in France and Switzerland, the health situation deteriorated from their Italian stopover. “Once in Slovenia and Austria, the psychosis grew. Strangely, people weren't that afraid of the virus. They were more afraid of the police checks,” laughed the two friends. In these two countries, more and more restrictive measures were promulgated as they passed. “We have passed between the drops,” they rejoice.
The weather on the other hand was sometimes more capricious. Soaked to the bone when they arrived in eastern Italy, they preceded Storm Alex by a few days, discovering chaotic images on the internet of valleys crossed just in time. But that was also the idea of the trip: to humbly measure the power of the elements and nature.
9-Dec-2020
Having left the Principality of Monaco at the end of June, two friends based in Argentière reached Vienna, Austria, on a four-month journey through the Alps. An extraordinary adventure carried out between the two lockdowns.
Confined in a studio far too small for two addicts to the great outdoors, Elliott Mazzola and Victorien Boutin decided to embark on a pedestrian adventure at the height of the national house arrest that was imposed on them [and all the French people] from mid-March to mid-May. A traveler at heart, Victorien who came to Chamonix four years ago, dreamed of crossing the entire length of the Alps on foot. An epic voyage, but not a race, which would allow him to contemplate the immensity of the Alps at the pace of walking. A well-thought-out project that he proposed to his pal Elliott, whom he met four years ago during a night out in a cabin. “At the start I didn't really want to embark on such a long trip, but I told myself that I could at least make the first part of the trip to Chamonix”, laughs Elliott, the more experienced of the two in the mountains, who in the end pushed on to Vienna.
A photographer, sometimes seasonal worker, and collector of odd jobs, this American and his hardworking artist friend have embarked on a unique journey. Along the way, the duo regularly ran into other hikers, telling them how much they wanted to emulate them and set off on such a long expedition. "It's a life choice," they would systematically answer. On a budget too, since Elliott and Victorien paid for their crossing out of their own pockets. "By allowing ourselves a few small pleasures, we got away for 20 euros per day per person.”
After an in-depth analysis of the maps and an optimization of the backpacks so that they do not exceed fifteen pounds, not to including water and food, the two young men went to Nice at the end of June and then to Monaco to start their alpine pilgrimage. .
The Mercantour, Queyras, Vanoise, Beaufortain [French National Parks and nature reserves] are on the program for the month of July. Victorien and Elliott camped most of the time. Sometimes they treat themselves to the luxury of a night in a hotel or refuge, or even enjoy the hospitality of locals, admirous of their courageous adventure. Because they were not looking to break any speed records, the two friends sometimes take the time to linger more than one night. When they arrive in the Chamonix valley, they catch up and party with their local crew. In Switzerland, they stop for a week of bad weather not far from the Eiger.
3,000 kilometers, it only wears out shoes
Strengthened from a long experience in the Pyrenees hiking the GR10 [in 2019], the two hikers learned to choose their equipment and listen to their body. No boo-boos to lament. Not even a blister during the almost 1,800 miles on foot. Only their shoes, worn smooth by the distance, had to be changed.
In Italy, the beauty of the Dolomites captivates them. As soon as he finds a wifi connection, Elliott publishes photos of the sublime landscapes crossed and their bivouac sites. One photo per day of walking. 144 in total. "Our friends felt like they were on a bit of a trip with us," the photographer smiles.
"In four months, of course we have disputes”
Without transition, the pair go from summer to winter when, at the end of August, the snow suddenly falls at low altitude. The course becomes more complex. Sometimes the tension mounts. "In four months, of course we dispute," laughed the two friends who admit that without the other, they would each have turned back before the end.
After the Julian Alps, they find refuge one night in Slovenia in a climbing gym. Then come Austria and Vienna, always taking the way with as little asphalt as possible. On the way back, it only took 12 hours by train to reach Chamonix. From this epic crossing, the friends keep a multitude of photos and memories. Victorien Boutin wants to write an essay on travel, perhaps to make others want to explore the Alpine Arc with the sheer strength of their legs.
Baptiste SAVIGNAC
The photos of the crossing are visible on the Instagram accounts @zzzzam_photo and @dumpster_ocean
Witnesses to the pandemic and storm Alex
Driven by a pandemic withdrawal, Victorien and Elliott's journey allowed them to take the pulse of the inhabitants of the different countries they crossed and observe various reactions to the disease. If the summer recklessness characterized the start of their journey in France and Switzerland, the health situation deteriorated from their Italian stopover. “Once in Slovenia and Austria, the psychosis grew. Strangely, people weren't that afraid of the virus. They were more afraid of the police checks,” laughed the two friends. In these two countries, more and more restrictive measures were promulgated as they passed. “We have passed between the drops,” they rejoice.
The weather on the other hand was sometimes more capricious. Soaked to the bone when they arrived in eastern Italy, they preceded Storm Alex by a few days, discovering chaotic images on the internet of valleys crossed just in time. But that was also the idea of the trip: to humbly measure the power of the elements and nature.