Sébastien Raichon Blazes a Trail for Wildinism with new Alpine Traverse Record

Press Release / 10.09.2021

Sébastien Raichon, a member of world #1 ranked adventure racing team ‘400 Team Naturex’, achieved a remarkable new endurance record this August establishing a new fastest time on the Traversée des Alpes.   What’s more he was totally unsupported, carrying just one 4kg  bag and having no support or any motorized vehicle to follow or assist him **.

His route covered 623km and 34000m of elevation gain to link Thonon les Bains on the shores of Lake Leman to the Mediterranean in Nice by the famous GR5, crossing 3 national and regional parks (Vanoise, Mercantour, Queyras) and a large number of nature reserves.

His time of 150h 25min beat the previous best set by Romain Sophys by the huge margin of 10 hours and 19 minutes.  This was set using pacers and with vehicle support, which is a completely different sports philosophy and a much bigger carbon footprint.  Raichon’s traverse was an approach known as "wildinism", which promotes wild sport and autonomy and a simple approach with humility in nature.

Speaking after his feat Raichon said.

"It's simply magical, a lucky star allowed me to find a bed every night and pass through the storms ... Non-assistance allows fortuitous encounters as well as encouraging  self-confidence in life ... I was even able to meet the gaze of a wolf for about twenty seconds before we each continued our journey ... I had a little taste of unfinished business last year during my first attempt, but now I’m satisfied and I will be able to turn to other challenges. ”

As an adventure champion he is keen to  put autonomy back at the heart of Nature sporst,  and hopes that Wildinism will become the norm or at least the Holy Grail for future contenders.

In addition to being a great springboard for exploration and development, Endurance has been THE renewable means of transport since the dawn of time.

Isn't learning to venture into the heart of nature without short cuts or artifices a path more inspiring than ever for future generations?