What are your best moments so far?
Arthur : Ah, there are so many that I don't know what to say... I remember the day of our departure, February 28, 2021, with all my family and friends at my home in Plouay. It was great to know that they were all there for us! It was touching. Then, all the people we met! And it continues. As I write these words, we met an incredible Austrian family who hosted us on a rainy day. And we hope that this generosity of the locals will continue! It's also interesting to see the differences between the cultures in Europe. And of course, one of the best moments is to do this project with a common desire with Melodi, and just be happy and let the wind carry us. (haha!)
Melodi: Every day we have a favorite moment, so I'm going to pick the one that was the most emotional because I'm very emotive, so I'm going to go by feeling. I remember that in France, when it rained very hard one day, we knocked on a local's door to ask to sleep under cover, in the dry. He offered us a night in his camper, then we left the next day, hoping to see each other again one day. We leave and we take a rain all day long. Then there is a moment when the rain falls strongly, at this moment, the person who lodged us the day before calls us and of a very strong and insistent voice asks us where we are because he looks for us in car. He came to pick us up, 2 minutes later he was there, under a torrential rain. He takes us on board and takes us to the shelter! It was just incredible! And there I told you only one day, imagine the 150 days that we spent on the roads, we had only beautiful memories! And it continues...
As at this moment, I needed a medical care to calm my sciatic nerve which blocks my back. Here in the small part of Germany nobody could accept me in emergency. And while walking to discover a waterfall, we see a house with a Therapist sign. We ring the bell out of curiosity and this man, who has a 20-year diploma, accepts me and gives us a cream for the rest of our journey. Moreover, we are going to start the Alps, still by the E5 trail, and by a beautiful coincidence, he also crossed it. So he gives us good advice for the road. I can give you so many more anecdotes of our journey but all good things must come to an end so let's move on to the next question.
What does it take to go on a long hike (equipment, etc.)?
Mélodi and Arthur : First, it takes desire and determination to go on a long hike. Without these two things, we would not have gone very far!
Then, a good physical condition. Something we didn't do very well (haha!), but it is necessary. Indeed, concerning the physical preparation, we had planned a departure in November 2020 but with the French restrictions, we finally started on February 28th 2021. To tell the truth, we left from one day to the next because we were bored with the health situation. So preparation was neglected! But we are very active, young and healthy, so our bodies followed us without any problem in this adventure. And of course without stress, our muscles are fine and our resistance has progressed day by day.
Then came the equipment. As Arthur worked in outdoor stores, he used his knowledge in this field. Then we chose together the products that we have now. We looked for all the possibilities, so that it would not be too bulky or too heavy. But that it is comfortable. So yes our bags are quite heavy (about 14 kg for Melodi at the moment and 22 kg for Arthur), but we left for a year. We started in the middle of winter with all the necessary and quality equipment.
For walking, shoes are very important. Melodi chose a pair of Meindl Ohio, which is really top, light and very comfortable. Arthur chose a Lowa Renegade which is also great, with a good foot and ankle support. For information, we just got rid of them because after 1600 km, they reach the end, the crampons become flat. And we bought new ones.
Then, our backpack is also important, do not choose too big or too small. We were leaving for a year and everything had to fit! So we decided to take Gregory's 55L, the Maven Lady and the Zulu.
Then concerning the tent, a two-person tent would have been lighter and more practical but less comfortable to sleep in. So we went with the MSR Zoic 3-person tent, which is still light for this size. (2,45 kg) It is easy to set up and is especially waterproof.
We chose MSR's kitchen equipment, stove and popote, which also served us well in the cold season. Before starting Switzerland we had to part with them, the heat forced us to eat cold. We saved on the weight of gasoline to carry.
And finally, getting dressed to go on a long hike was a challenge. So we wanted to have clothes that breathe and are light. That's why we chose Chlorophylle. The products we selected are really great for our activity, whether it's hot or cold.
What are the challenges of being the only two on the road on foot?
Arthur: Actually we are never alone. You know we are not in Canada, France is a small country with a lot of people. So we go through a lot of towns and villages. The French people were very curious (they are not really used to see backpackers) so we were asked a lot. Then, in Switzerland, the mentality changes and people are more closed on themselves so less friendly. But the fact that we always saw cities, civilization, helped us a lot psychologically, we never felt really alone.
But then I could say that the only challenge of being the only two on the road on foot, is to get used to the difference in level between Melodi and me. I have already hiked a lot elsewhere, even if it was not in extreme, so my physical shape is not the same as hers. So sometimes I have to understand that difference.
Melodi: To think that we are the only two on the road on foot, every day in the middle of nowhere, well I'll tell you something, it's an incredible ecstasy! There is an adrenalin of not knowing the places, of being in constant discovery, of not knowing where we go. It's like a few days ago, we were walking along the Rhine in Switzerland and we heard a thud, you get close to it, and it was a tourist waterfall. Impressive (but it was nothing compared to Niagara Falls!). It is every day a discovery and an explosion of sense to every landscape (visual, olfactory, auditory...). And knowing that we are alone and on foot, it is like a freedom, we can enjoy the moments for a long time. To be the only ones on the road is also a challenge between us, as Arthur said, it is necessary to be able to adapt to the other, but we manage it well! And then if we feel too much alone it is enough to start the discussion with a local and just a smile of a stranger makes us warm in the heart. You know, many people have offered to help us if there are any problems. Our community on our social networks supports us a lot, we thank them all one by one.
A summary of Switzerland ( beginning of Austria). What do you think about it?
Mélodi and Arthur : We crossed Switzerland during the hot summer weather. Fortunately it was flat all the way. The landscapes have changed, we came back by the Swiss-French part with the Jura and thus very nice mountainous landscapes. Then we arrived in the north of Switzerland, in Basel, where we stayed several days in Couchsurfing. We could see the quietness, the sympathy and the help of the locals, despite the language barrier (because it was the Swiss-German part). From there, we headed back to the east of Switzerland, following the Rhine to Lake Constance, to head towards Austria. The scenery on the Rhine was the same for 3 days but pretty, then became wilder and still beautiful. Moreover, with the language barrier we felt more and more alone on the roads, but it was the occasion to learn German and the dialect too, which also made the locals laugh. The crossing was express because Switzerland is a small country and we drove about 200 km.
As for now, we have just started Austria, the third country on our route. We notice the difference and enter the pre-Alps. Only 3 days and already 1800 m of altitude. At this time we are organizing ourselves to cross the Alps by the European trail number 5 in direction of Italy (rest, purchase of new shoes, planning of the route, reservations of mountain huts...).
To follow us, go to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube : FROM MY HOME TO YOU HOME
Visit their ambassador page.
Subscribe to our newsletter !
By subscribing, you accept that we will send you emails concerning promotions, events, products and other exclusive advantages that are only available to our subscribers.