A watercolor hiking weekend

At Lagoped, we believe in the power of the mountains to regenerate the body and mind. That's why we're proud to support the Grenoble-based association Des Sommets pour Rebondir , which helps women facing cancer return to physical activity and nature.

Through group mountain outings, the association allows them to regain self-confidence, energy, and solidarity, while sharing precious moments outside of a medical setting. This partnership is part of our commitment: to put the outdoors at the service of human connection and well-being.

Story of a weekend of hiking with members of the association.

With the main road blocked, the cars and camper vans of the humans eager to cool off at altitude found themselves, at the same time, on THE small, narrow mountain road, with a precipice on one side and a bulging cliff on the other. What had to happen happened: all these people found themselves stuck.

Luckily, a veteran trucker, probably a Tetris champion, jumped out of the car in front of us. Our savior began to steer the entire tangle of cars while his 17-year-old son drove.

With his help, and that of Damien, who speaks every possible language, of Sandrine, who blocked vehicles ready to throw themselves into the lion's den, of me, who was turned away by a misogynistic German, and of Carole, who drove the car with a sure hand (and who, thanks to the languidly glued driver's windows, was shamelessly and pleasantly chatted up by a friendly Belgian passing by), we finally reached the meeting point, near Mizoen.

Lunch on site, then a difficult climb under a blazing sun.

Without cinema, Damien then offers us a first attempt at art in front of a small lake. Lake on the edge of which Sandrine serves as a lightning rod for mosquitoes, as she did throughout the weekend, her dedication to the association having no limits (thanks Sandrine! ;-) ).

Arriving at the Clots refuge, we have time for a quick aperitif before a thunderstorm breaks out. Taking refuge inside, we let our creativity run free before the meal. Then, some of us, inspired by the lightning, play Odin with Damien and Jeanne, a game of Carine's, before everyone falls asleep peacefully, after all this effort and emotion.

We climbed to the Emparis plateau, passing above the Pisse waterfall. The view was magical, so we stopped for another sketch. But picnic time was approaching, and stomachs were rumbling. We headed back to the Les Mouterres refuge.

The warden rebuffs Damien for choosing the beds, saying she only wants to speak to the head warden, Sandrine. This makes us laugh, and it will remain a subject of good-natured laughter throughout the weekend.

After settling into a dormitory just for us, and a picnic under a parasol, eager to escape its role as a shade provider and fly towards attractive skies with the help of its friend the wind, we set off again on our hike.

Sandrine discovers edelweiss trees where we sit, drawing a landscape made of different shades, depending on the depth of our gaze. Mineral, plant, sky blue, everything overlaps, intertwines, or blends.

Some try ink, others watercolor, all aided by Damien's expert eye and guidance. Immersed in our artistic meditations, we barely notice the clock ticking.

Quick, we have to get back in time for dinner! We manage it, within five minutes, enough for some of us to involuntarily try our hand at operatic singing under an icy shower.

Dinner at the shelter, where young men at the next table loudly ask each other if they are handsome.

Visceral anxiety caused by the proximity of flowers, each more beautiful than the last? We will never know...

Leaving aside these metaphysical questions, we have dessert outside, as well as the homemade génépi offered by the refuge warden, who helps us (or not?) to distinguish the ibex on the spleen. Uh no, the crest. ;-). Good laugh at the end of the day.

A few games of Odin later for some, we leave to join the soft arms of Morpheus.

After a quiet awakening (the slightly early hour of which was decided by our beloved chef Sandrine at the express request of the refuge warden), we leave the Emparis plateau.

Along the way, we encounter leaping chamois, tranquil vultures, colorful flowers, and we discuss psychogenealogy and other fascinating genealogical investigations.

Picnic, and, again, watercolor/ink/drawing break, a real suspended moment.
Then, another steep descent, under a blazing sun.

We pass through a hamlet in the middle of which stands a fountain whose water inexorably draws us in. Nadine does what many dreamed of: she waters Damien. It turns into a general battle and we end up soaked, refreshed, and happy to have had fun like children.

When we arrived at the cars, Damien suggested a new exercise: drawing each other's portraits. Our works were unintentionally more ferocious than caricatures of Montmartre, but it was interesting.

Finally, we return to our daily lives, invigorated by this rejuvenating weekend, between magnificent nature, laughter, metaphysical discussions and artistic meditations accompanied by precious advice from our guide.

Thank you to Damien, Jeanne, and all the girls for this wonderful, timeless weekend. It will remain in our memories for a long time.

Florence