SAMAYA X VALENTIN PALARDY
DISCOVER BASE JUMPING IN THE MOUNTAINS
There are mountain enthusiasts who push the limits of adventure. Valentin Palardy is one of them. A seasoned mountaineer and unrivalled base jumper, he sets off from the peaks of the Alps with a singular approach: that of climbing technical routes before opening himself up to the air. With Samaya, he finds the perfect balance between lightness and performance to fully experience this unique combination of climbing and jumping.
Low-slide base jumping: an art of verticality
Unlike wingsuiters, who use long glide suits, Valentin practices low-slide base jumping. "My jump is short, my canopy opens quickly, and what interests me is finding the right balance between a beautiful ascent and a beautiful jump," he explains. In this discipline, the key is to capture the moment: to take the time to survey every corner of the summit, to appreciate the chosen route, before launching yourself in a few weightless seconds.
Unlike wingsuiters, who use long glide suits, Valentin practices low-slide base jumping. "My jump is short, my canopy opens quickly, and what interests me is finding the right balance between a beautiful ascent and a beautiful jump," he explains. In this discipline, the key is to capture the moment: to take the time to survey every corner of the summit, to appreciate the chosen route, before launching yourself in a few weightless seconds.
Equipment designed to be forgotten
"For me, the perfect bag is the one you don't feel." When Valentin approaches a technical summit, the demands placed on his equipment become crucial. The rucksack must be light enough not to hinder the ascent, compact enough to slip under the parachute, and robust enough to withstand the often rough walls of high-altitude mountaineering. That's where the Samaya ALPINE35 comes in. "I use this bag for everything from mountaineering to easy climbing. It stands up to wear and tear really well, and I can pack everything loose, whether it's the sail or the climbing gear, thanks to its large zip." For Valentin, the Samaya ALPINE35 felt like a second skin, in perfect harmony with the needs of base jumping.
"For me, the perfect bag is the one you don't feel." When Valentin approaches a technical summit, the demands placed on his equipment become crucial. The rucksack must be light enough not to hinder the ascent, compact enough to slip under the parachute, and robust enough to withstand the often rough walls of high-altitude mountaineering. That's where the Samaya ALPINE35 comes in. "I use this bag for everything from mountaineering to easy climbing. It stands up to wear and tear really well, and I can pack everything loose, whether it's the sail or the climbing gear, thanks to its large zip." For Valentin, the Samaya ALPINE35 felt like a second skin, in perfect harmony with the needs of base jumping.
Iconic peaks as a playground
For Valentin, the Alps are an inexhaustible source of projects. He recently completed a traverse of the Grandes Jorasses from the Torino hut, before abseiling a few metres down the north face to launch himself into the void. Mont Blanc is another of his playgrounds, which he tackles via the Trois Monts, before descending to the Italian side to launch himself from the Freney pillar, at 4,500 metres, the highest exit point in the Alps. "These projects are more than just a fall, they're a whole expedition. Taking the time to climb, feeling the wall, observing the slightest changes in the mountain... that's what adventure is all about."
For Valentin, the Alps are an inexhaustible source of projects. He recently completed a traverse of the Grandes Jorasses from the Torino hut, before abseiling a few metres down the north face to launch himself into the void. Mont Blanc is another of his playgrounds, which he tackles via the Trois Monts, before descending to the Italian side to launch himself from the Freney pillar, at 4,500 metres, the highest exit point in the Alps. "These projects are more than just a fall, they're a whole expedition. Taking the time to climb, feeling the wall, observing the slightest changes in the mountain... that's what adventure is all about."
Finding the alignment of the planets
Base jumping in the mountains demands infinite precision. Weather, wall conditions, wind speed: every detail counts. "There are summits where jumping is simply not possible. Sometimes you get to the top and the conditions aren't right. When that happens, we go back down to find another starting point to take off from. For Valentin, it's not a failure, but part of learning about the mountains. Each project is a lesson in humility, and each jump is the culmination of meticulous preparation and understanding of the terrain.
Base jumping in the mountains demands infinite precision. Weather, wall conditions, wind speed: every detail counts. "There are summits where jumping is simply not possible. Sometimes you get to the top and the conditions aren't right. When that happens, we go back down to find another starting point to take off from. For Valentin, it's not a failure, but part of learning about the mountains. Each project is a lesson in humility, and each jump is the culmination of meticulous preparation and understanding of the terrain.
The quest for distant expeditions
Valentin doesn't stop at the Alps. His dream is to explore the peaks of the Andes or the Himalayas, where the altitude imposes even greater challenges. But for him, these ambitions come true at the right time, when all the planets align. "Base jumping in the mountains is not a quest for speed, it's the art of taking your time. Observing the verticals, feeling the moment when the mountain becomes ready to let you go... it's an intimate adventure, a unique connection with the environment."
Valentin doesn't stop at the Alps. His dream is to explore the peaks of the Andes or the Himalayas, where the altitude imposes even greater challenges. But for him, these ambitions come true at the right time, when all the planets align. "Base jumping in the mountains is not a quest for speed, it's the art of taking your time. Observing the verticals, feeling the moment when the mountain becomes ready to let you go... it's an intimate adventure, a unique connection with the environment."
With Samaya by his side, Valentin Palardy reinvents base jumping not as a simple descent but as a genuine exploration of the mountains, an invitation to slow down, listen and melt into the immensity.
