2025 Switzerland – On the Niederhorn. The water supply.

Each of us brought one or two flasks with 1.5 liter of water, more or less. This is meant to keep us hydrated for the first day, but it’s not going to be sufficient for the following 48 hours. That is why, as soon as the fire burns, Noé asks us to melt some snow. Melted snow is going to be our water supply. We are surrounded of water. It’s like walling on a solid, pure, ocean.
We designate a clean spot from where we take the snow, to make sure nobody steps on it or worse. We remove the first layer and then we put the snow into one pot, with the lid on it and then all goes to the fire for quite a while. As the snow gradually melts -it takes a certain time – and the volume in the pot shrinks, we add more snow, in order to optimize the process. It takes quite a while for all the snow to melt and have fully drinkable water. Once this is done, those who are in for a tea can hand their cups. The rest of the water will cool down and then it will be used to refill the flasks. It does not taste like tap water, its flavor makes me think of the earth or of the forest.
I find the whole story thrilling. It has a sprinkle of adventure and it is a mini-class about survival.
It reminds me of my childhood, when we used to go to the mountains and add snow in a cup of coffee to have quick-made granita.
It is fascinating staring at that white snow cap and realise that part of it is inside you.
At the end of the trip, I save some water from the snow. I arrive at home and I pour it into a small clean glass bottle, to keep it as a souvenir. It is the second time I keep water as a souvenir. I put the flask next to the one containing the sea coming from Cape of Good Hope.
Water connects all things. The mountains to the sea. Switzerland to South Africa. My inner and my outer worlds.