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Cold and wonderful lakes

Aaron Rolph isn't just a mountain athlete; together with two friends he will defy the cold, diving into three Alpine lakes between Como and Chamonix.

Aaron Rolph isn’t just a mountain athlete; he’s one of those people who was seemingly born to defy limits - both physically and mentally. He’s based in Chamonix, a small Alpine paradise in France where he has found his home in the mountains. What makes him special, however, isn’t just his ability to climb peaks or ski impossible slopes, but his talent for telling stories that inspires others to get out and explore the world. 

As the founder of the British Adventure Collective, Aaron leads a group of adventurous souls who share the same passion: living and documenting unique outdoor experiences. The group not only seeks to challenge one’s own limits, but also to connect to nature in a profound and meaningful way. Together they have explored some of the most spectacular and remote landscapes on the planet, creating stories forged in respect for the natural environment, like their latest adventure. Imagine: it’s the dead of winter in the Alps, the temperatures are barely tolerable and the days are so short that time somehow seems to disappear between sunrise and sunset. Aaron and his team decide to embark upon a journey that would take them from Lake Como, in Italy, to his house in Chamonix, France.

The plan was ambitious: cycle to some of the most beautiful lakes where it’s possible to swim in winter. Their pedalling legs would take them through magical landscapes, but they would also face challenges beyond imagination. They crossed three Alpine passes that stay open during winter: the Simplon Pass, Col de la Forclaz and Col des Montets, reaching a total 6700 metres in altitude. They not only had to pedal up never-ending slopes - they also had to trudge through deep snow in order to reach the lakes hidden in the mountains.

The real challenge, however, was in the water. Swimming in Alpine lakes in the dead of winter isn’t for everyone, and this is where Aaron and his team made a difference. Geared up with the Orca Zeal Thermal wetsuit, gloves, booties and hoods, they ventured out into the icy waters surrounded by snowy peaks. The sensation of swimming in such a remote and spectacular setting is something that, according to Aaron, connects you with nature in a unique way.

The trip was recorded by filmmaker Luke Jarmey, who managed to capture the physical challenges as well as the magic of the crossing. Daisy Karyna and Mauri Marassi went together with Aaron, both contributing to an adventure that is just as much a testament to resistance as it is a celebration of nature’s beauty.

For Aaron, the experience wasn’t just another challenge; it was a way of showing that adventure is within reach of everyone who is willing to seek it out - the important part is connecting to the world around us. In the end, with every anecdote that Aaron and his team share with us, we’re reminded that limits are made to be overcome, and it’s in our attempt to do so that we find our true essence.

 

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