The inner path of Vanil des Artses (Swiss Press Text 2014, by Christophe Sugnaux) - Swiss Press Award

La Liberté

Christophe Sugnaux

At the end of August 2013, speleologist-explorers opened a new route in the Fribourg Pre-Alps: they made the first UNDERGROUND ascent of Vanil des Artses, a peak culminating at 1993 meters. They also proved at the same time that it is still possible to add a few lines to the history of the conquest of the Alps, 75 years after the ascent of the north face of the Eiger, long considered one of the last great untouched peaks of the Alps. A mountain enthusiast myself but a novice in speleology, I had the chance in 2006 to make a first report underground in the company of this same group of speleologists. This experience convinced them that I was capable of following them in this new adventure, a little crazy and demanding, both physically and mentally. This is how I had the chance to exclusively relive The Inner Way of Vanil des Artses and to devote to this intense experience a report that is sometimes tight and creeping in a fascinating and totally timeless world.