Somaca recently issued the following announcement.

Like all good ideas, she came to him during a good dinner with friends: " 34 hours of walking, 5000 meters of vertical drop and 10 to 15 kilos of material to wear. The challenge is launched. A real challenge, because in everyday life Julien is not a climber: he is responsible for purchasing.

The physical and psychological preparation begins a few months before the ascent, and - already there - the pressure rises: " I was afraid to be in roped with someone less well prepared than me and especially to suffer the evil of altitude. I was afraid of not being able to go all the way. "

"I TOOK FULL VIEW"

Monday, July 8, let's go. With his seven childhood friends, he left the Paris region, crossed the Beaunois country before sinking into the valley of Chamonix. Before the great ascent, three days of intense preparation with the four guides who will accompany them to climb on the roof of Europe. On the fourth day, they all jump on the Mont Blanc tramway for a first stop at 2400 meters above sea level. " As we went up, adrenaline was rising. Once up there, when I saw the Aiguille du Midi, I finally realized what was going to happen to me. I took full view, but I was halfway between wonder and apprehension because I discovered the extent of steep and dangerous areas to go. "

Julien (right) with one of his friends, almost at the top

"I SAW MY FRIEND FALL EVERY FIVE METERS"

It takes them 24 hours to reach the summit, at 4,810 meters above sea level. Armed with their ice axes, spread with sunscreen under their goretex hooded jackets, they advance on four ropes of three hikers. Between laborious effort and wonder, the immaculate expanse gives way to a whole range of emotions as they rise. " As I sensed, the hardest thing was the lack of oxygen. We crossed very difficult areas, we were in the hard, I saw my friend fall every five meters and advance on the knees. But this remains an unforgettable memory. Once at the top, when all our efforts are rewarded, we are overwhelmed by emotion. To go down again, they need 7 to 8 hours without releasing the pressure, because we go back to places of risk ".

Because he has to go home, he swaps his fleece against his suit. In Paris, he returns to his daily life, that of purchasing manager on the batteries of hybrid vehicles. A strategic position, in which he puts as much passion as in his sporting challenges. As for his next ascent: "Kilimanjaro, I hope. "

Original source: https://group.renault.com/news-onair/actualites/julien-collaborateur-du-groupe-renault-jai-teste-5-000-metres-de-deniveles/