Although nearly a month has passed since the official conclusion of the “Leaves Accompany Me” 2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season, Shao Chunyu, as one of the members of the Ultimate Dream Team that successfully summited Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the French Alps, still can’t contain his excitement when recalling the event. From the preliminary selection to the knockout rounds, all the way to the final challenge of Western Europe’s highest peak, the three-month-long “Leaves Accompany Me” 2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season left behind countless memorable moments.
The Ultimate Dream Team takes a group photo in front of the cable car station before departure
Onward march！The birth of the Ultimate Dream Team
Turning back the clock to September 1, 2013, after intense public voting and expert judging, the top 60 teams (120 participants) in the knockout stage of the “Leaves Accompany Me” 2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season competition ultimately crowned their respective champions among the Solo Adventurer Group, Romantic Couple Group, and Friendship Mix Group. Together with media representatives from well-known domestic publications such as 《Outdoor》, 《New Travel》, 《World》, 《Photography Friends》, and 《Happy Trips》, they formed a 12-member Ultimate Dream Team and officially set off toward their dream destination — Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the French Alps！
Turning back the clock to September 1, 2013, after intense public voting and expert judging, the top 60 teams (120 participants) in the knockout stage of the “Leaves Accompany Me” 2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season competition ultimately crowned their respective champions among the Solo Adventurer Group, Romantic Couple Group, and Friendship Mix Group. Together with media representatives from well-known domestic publications such as 《Outdoor》, 《New Travel》, 《World》, 《Photography Friends》, and 《Happy Trips》, they formed a 12-member Ultimate Dream Team and officially set off toward their dream destination — Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the French Alps！
The summit of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak at 4,810 meters
“I still remember the thrill of receiving the call from the event organizers informing me that I had won the Romantic Couple Group championship. My wife and I met and fell in love through outdoor activities. We just got our marriage certificate on September 8th, and winning this challenge and being able to step onto the dreamlike Alps was undoubtedly the best gift from the heavens,” said Shao Chunyu. As an annual highlight in the mountaineering community, the “Leaves Accompany Me” 2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season, a large-scale thematic series of events, has now successfully been held for the second time. Through comprehensive online and offline activities, it fully showcases the mountaineering spirit and skills of enthusiasts, encourages more positive, united, enterprising, and win-win team spirit and values, and has also attracted a large number of mountaineering enthusiasts like Shao Chunyu to participate.
Romantic Couple Group champions Shao Chunyu and his wife cuddle in the town of Chamonix
A Dream Fulfilled！Experiencing an Extraordinary Journey
On the evening of September 12th, as night fell, members of the Ultimate Dream Team gathered at Beijing Capital International Airport and officially set off for France. Over the next eight days of an extraordinary journey, the team members gained countless amazing and unforgettable memories.
On September 13th, upon arriving in Europe, Lafuma, the organizer of the event, arranged a series of professional training sessions for the Ultimate Dream Team. The previously gifted Lafuma outdoor gear worth 4,000 RMB per person better helped the participants adapt quickly to the Alpine mountaineering environment. Under the guidance of Lafuma’s contracted athlete — renowned mountaineer Aymeric Clouet — the participants climbed two 3,000-meter-plus peaks, Tête Blanche and Aiguille du Tour, within just two days as part of their acclimatization training. Their journey spanned both France and Switzerland, and teamwork among the members grew even more seamless during the training. The rich European mountaineering culture and well-equipped facilities also left a deep impression on the Ultimate Dream Team members.
On the evening of September 12th, as night fell, members of the Ultimate Dream Team gathered at Beijing Capital International Airport and officially set off for France. Over the next eight days of an extraordinary journey, the team members gained countless amazing and unforgettable memories.
On September 13th, upon arriving in Europe, Lafuma, the organizer of the event, arranged a series of professional training sessions for the Ultimate Dream Team. The previously gifted Lafuma outdoor gear worth 4,000 RMB per person better helped the participants adapt quickly to the Alpine mountaineering environment. Under the guidance of Lafuma’s contracted athlete — renowned mountaineer Aymeric Clouet — the participants climbed two 3,000-meter-plus peaks, Tête Blanche and Aiguille du Tour, within just two days as part of their acclimatization training. Their journey spanned both France and Switzerland, and teamwork among the members grew even more seamless during the training. The rich European mountaineering culture and well-equipped facilities also left a deep impression on the Ultimate Dream Team members.
Lafuma’s contracted athlete and renowned mountaineer Aymeric Clouet
Everything was set, and the moment to climb the ultimate dream peak finally arrived. Although due to snowstorms, some participants chose not to take the Mont Blanc route but instead summited Italy’s Gran Paradiso (elevation 4,061 meters), the joy of the climbing process brought extraordinary feelings to the Ultimate Dream Team members. “As Aymeric said, climbing isn’t about the height of the mountain, but whether it allows you to fully immerse yourself and enjoy the experience. Whether it was Mont Blanc or Gran Paradiso, we all enjoyed it thoroughly — and that’s enough,” said Shao Chunyu.
Team members near the summit of Italy’s Gran Paradiso
Fulfilling the dream of Mont Blanc, fulfilling the dream of climbing, was the shared highest aspiration of the Ultimate Dream Team. The four members who stayed in Chamonix preparing to summit Mont Blanc bore not only the dreams of the entire team but also tremendous pressure. During the ascent, they had to contend not only with the majesty of the snow-capped peak but also with ever-changing weather and cutting winds. The excitement of climbing was soon replaced by the intensity of the physical exertion and the tension. But when the four finally overcame all obstacles and challenges and stood atop Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, all fatigue vanished. The orange glow of the Lafuma flag contrasted with the white snow and the smiling faces of the four, creating the most moving picture of a dream fulfilled.
Ultimate Dream Team members successfully summit Mont Blanc
It’s worth mentioning that in addition to challenging the snowy peaks of France, Switzerland, and Italy, the Ultimate Dream Team also participated in the annual Mer de Glace Glacier Cleanup Environmental Activity. It is understood that this activity began in 2008 and was initiated by the Lafuma Group in collaboration with Alpin Français...
The trash collected during the Mer De Glace glacier cleanup activity was gathered together awaiting the arrival of the helicopter
“Leaves Accompany My Journey” "2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season Theme Website: www.2013lafuma.com