SAMAYA x JULIETTE WILMANN & PIERRE IDRIS MEHDI
DEEP CALM IN THE VASTNESS OF THE CHILEAN ANDES
Skiers Juliette and Pierre Idris spent August 2024 in Chile, gliding between Andean peaks and the vagaries of the weather. From Portillo to Cajón del Maipo, they explored virgin slopes, savoring every moment of solitude and freedom. For Samaya, they share their immersion in the heart of the Andes and the memories etched in the snow.
Early August, Chile, 2024. A new chapter begins for them, guided by the desire to explore and ski the virgin faces of the Andes. Juliette arrives first, at the end of July, to coach a freeride ski camp with young Americans. Ten days of hard work and enthusiasm in the mountains before Pierre Idris joined her on August 13. The adventure begins.
Their starting point? The heights of Chile, a country which, although familiar to Juliette, remains mysterious and vast. This is her fourth adventure here, but for Pierre Idris, it's a total discovery of the Chilean Andes. The objective is clear: to ski, explore and soak up the immensity of these mountains.
From Portillo to Cajón del Maipo: the exploration begins
They begin their journey near the Argentine border, at Portillo, a station that serves as their starting point. After a day on the trails and another hiking, they decide to venture further afield, towards Cajón del Maipo. Here, at the foot of the majestic San José volcano, they spend six days. The weather was capricious, alternating between heavy snowfalls and sporadic days of fine weather. Some corridors are impassable due to the amount of snow, but this doesn't discourage them. Sleeping in a tent under the stars is only possible for one night, as the weather plays tricks on them. Yet every day spent here is a lesson in discovery.
They begin their journey near the Argentine border, at Portillo, a station that serves as their starting point. After a day on the trails and another hiking, they decide to venture further afield, towards Cajón del Maipo. Here, at the foot of the majestic San José volcano, they spend six days. The weather was capricious, alternating between heavy snowfalls and sporadic days of fine weather. Some corridors are impassable due to the amount of snow, but this doesn't discourage them. Sleeping in a tent under the stars is only possible for one night, as the weather plays tricks on them. Yet every day spent here is a lesson in discovery.
The Andes, an infinite playground
What strikes Pierre Idris most is the imposing geography of the Andes Cordillera. In one fell swoop, you go from the ocean to snow-capped peaks at 2,300 metres in just a few hours. They ski at over 4,000 meters, but the mountains rise even higher, topping out at over 7,000 meters. They seem endless, with long approaches and imposing faces. One of the couloirs had a vertical drop of 1,200 metres. "A memorable descent that leaves you speechless," confesses Pierre Idris.
What strikes Pierre Idris most is the imposing geography of the Andes Cordillera. In one fell swoop, you go from the ocean to snow-capped peaks at 2,300 metres in just a few hours. They ski at over 4,000 meters, but the mountains rise even higher, topping out at over 7,000 meters. They seem endless, with long approaches and imposing faces. One of the couloirs had a vertical drop of 1,200 metres. "A memorable descent that leaves you speechless," confesses Pierre Idris.
They are constantly on the move, each day a new exploration. In Cajón del Maipo, they are alone. Not a soul in sight. They park, spot a magnificent corridor from the village, and the next day, it's theirs. Solitude here isn't burdensome; it's synonymous with freedom and choice.
The conditions and reality of a remote adventure
Chile offers a wide variety of snow conditions. Days of perfect powder follow days of hard snow, transformed by the heat. Altitude imposes its own rules: one day of good weather and the snow changes radically. They must constantly adapt. One day, they turn back because of impassable conditions; another, they set off down a capricious snow couloir.
Chile offers a wide variety of snow conditions. Days of perfect powder follow days of hard snow, transformed by the heat. Altitude imposes its own rules: one day of good weather and the snow changes radically. They must constantly adapt. One day, they turn back because of impassable conditions; another, they set off down a capricious snow couloir.
Being far from everything and everyone is part of the adventure. Help is scarce, and risk-taking is calculated. "We listen more to our instincts, our senses are on alert," says Pierre Idris. Here, the mountains remind them that every decision counts.
The next stage of the adventure
They leave Chile with their heads full of images and ideas for the future. Perhaps they'll return to explore Cajón del Maipo in greater depth, setting up a base camp for total immersion. The Andes have won them over. "Over there, every summit, every face seems to be crying out to be skied," sums up Juliette.
They leave Chile with their heads full of images and ideas for the future. Perhaps they'll return to explore Cajón del Maipo in greater depth, setting up a base camp for total immersion. The Andes have won them over. "Over there, every summit, every face seems to be crying out to be skied," sums up Juliette.
They are now preparing for a new expedition to Nepal. Chile was a perfect training ground for testing their equipment and honing their instincts. Nepal promises to be another adventure, with new challenges, but one thing remains certain: the call of the mountains is irresistible.
In the meantime, they keep in mind every curve, every climb, and every breath taken in the pure air of the Chilean Andes.
