A human and sporting adventure in the heart of the wild Lapland
Traveling through hostile lands, far from any civilization, in total autonomy but also as a team. An intense expedition, rich in challenges and lessons.
Well equipped thanks to Cairn, our six officers from the Special Military School of Saint-Cyr, all mountain enthusiasts, share their unique experience in the wild nature of Sarek, in Lapland.
EXPLORATION OF SAREK
Located in the center of Swedish Lapland, Sarek is often called the "most beautiful natural area in Sweden" and rightly so! With its 19 peaks rising over 1,900 meters and its 2,000 km² of preserved nature, it is one of the wildest places in Europe. Here, visitors can be counted on one hand and the vastness of nature imposes silence.
Our goal: to cross Sarek by connecting Saltoluokta, in the east, to the village of Ratsem, in the northwest.
Nearly 150 km in complete autonomy, in the snow with significant elevation changes. Warm clothing, ski gloves, and a hat are mandatory: over there, the cold is a constant adversary.
THE FINE TEAM
We are six officers aged 20 to 23: Ralf, Alban, Clément, Quentin, Thomas, Loïc, and Adrien. Alongside us, Ralf Graf, a German soldier, and Zsolt Osztian, our mountain guide, who improvised as a photographer to capture the adventure.
It is because Sarek is difficult to access, isolated, and exotic that we chose to take on this challenge.
For several months, we prepared physically and mentally in the French mountains, between the Alps and the Jura. Thanks to this rigorous training, we were ready to face this demanding environment.
GROUP LIFE: COHESION & SOLIDARITY
All passionate about mountains, we quickly created a true team cohesion.
Solidarity and good humor were essential drivers of the success of this crossing. Each member gave their best, each supported the others in difficult times.
We were not just a group of mountaineers: we became a group of friends, bonded by a common adventure.
AN EXTRAORDINARY CROSSING
From our arrival, what struck us the most was the vastness of the territory.
The feeling of being cut off from the world is total: even our satellite phone barely had a signal. Here, time stops.
Each pass ascent, although difficult, rewarded us with magnificent panoramas: snow-covered mountains as far as the eye can see, a white desert above the clouds... Images forever etched in our memories.
We were also surprised by the deceptive effect of distances: the open plains give the impression that the passes are close, but it often took us 30 to 45 minutes to reach their base.
And in this snow desert, another lesson: never forget sunscreen and glasses even here, sunburns hit hard.
MEETING SAREK: A TURBULENT FIRST DAY
Despite several months of preparation, confronting this brutal environment required immediate adaptation.
Everything started well: at 8 am, we left our lodge on snowmobiles to reach the entrance of Sarek. After two hours of travel, our drivers wished us luck, then left. There we were, alone, left to our own devices.
At 11 a.m., the sleds are ready and we begin our first kilometers. First bivouac, first setups until a metallic noise rings out, followed by a groan: Ralf broke a tooth while setting up his tent, trapped by a frozen stake that popped under pressure.
After setting up the camp, we aim for our first ascent: Mount Spijka (1,000 m of elevation gain, 15 km). Once at the summit, visibility drops to almost zero. Dense fog, biting cold, urgency to descend. But at the first curve, Ralf falls: his ski binding just broke, it definitely wasn't his day. This leads to a makeshift operation to cobble together a repair with what we have on hand.
Back at the camp, another surprise: Quentin's sled tarp has blown away. While going to retrieve it, Quentin and Loïc come across wolf tracks, needless to say, they don't linger outside for long.
This eventful first day set the tone for us: the Sarek offers no concessions.
IN THE END, AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
We completed a unique crossing, rich in emotions, efforts, and life lessons.
We leave with images etched in our memory and valuable teachings: solidarity, mutual aid, and the importance of preparation.
Beyond the sporting adventure, this expedition reminds us that in life, as in the Sarek, every day can become a successful adventure.
