When we asked our photographer friend Adrien Ballanger to concoct a little trip to the mountains to celebrate his arrival in the Wigwam Store tribe, he pulled out all the stops!

IRUBELAKASKOA?

Under this (a little) complicated name hides one of the most beautiful peaks of the Basque country. But beware ! Radical climb and passages on the sides of ravines require an irreproachable physical form. In short, a real Basque peak is a peak that has to be earned! Adrien Ballanger is an expert and knows the area like the back of his hand. His job as a professional photographer specializing in the Outdoors regularly takes him on the most beautiful hiking trails in the Basque Country. It was a more than obvious choice to make Adrien our very first member of the Wigwam Store tribe. For this first outing Adrien chose the Topo Designs 28L Mountain backpack.

This front opening bag is the perfect companion for a photographer or videographer like Adrien. He gives us here some shots and his impressions.

HIDDEN TREASURE

text & photos: Adrien Ballanger

The Baztan valley is full of natural wonders, between waterfalls, lush vegetation and wildlife, the change of scenery in these mountains is total. On this route you run along the peaks that form ridges dotted with large rocks. You can take the paths that go around them, like having fun climbing on each rock, the cliffs on each side offer magnificent views and allow vultures and other birds to hover very close to you. And when you begin the descent to reach the Baztan river, you come across grandiose trees, some of them centuries old. The climate approaches wetlands, with plants proliferating everywhere, ferns even grow on the moss of trees. Finally we end this hike to the sound of running water since we have to cross and follow the river to the starting point. All seasons have their charms, even in the middle of winter because the trees stay green for a long time. On the other hand, I advise you not to do this snowy hike because it can become dangerous. Autumn remains for me the most beautiful season to choose to make this trace.

... about Adrien Ballanger

Professional photographer, @adrienballanger lives at the foot of the Basque mountains and has been taking magnificent shots for several years highlighting the beauty of the surrounding valleys.
You can also find all these photos compiled in the three issues of @haize.rando sold at the shop.
@haize.rando is not only photos but also an original guide with GPS coordinates and tracks to organize your next hiking trips.
For @adrienballanger the passion for the outdoors is a sharing and we are happy to welcome him as @topodesigns ambassador.

HAIZE THE BOOK

After several years of compiling hundreds of photos for the various volumes of the HAIZE hiking guide, Adrien Ballanger is moving up a gear and soon offers a complete book. It will obviously be available at Wigwam Store and we will take the opportunity to celebrate the release of his book as it should be with a beautiful opening and an exhibition evening. We'll keep you posted !