The IAFL Yearbook 2025
2025 has been an exciting year filled with beautiful moments. We shared so many unforgettable experiences together, whether in the mountains, in training, over dinner, or in unplanned moments. As IAFL celebrates its first year, we take a moment to reflect on how far we've come.
Questions & Answers
Throughout such an exciting year, we're confronted with many decisions. Some push us into the unknown, others we come to regret, but most are choices we're happy with. To better understand these challenges, we asked each IAFL member the following question:
What was your best decision in 2025?
As we are by nature happy to accept new challenges, most of IAFL's best decisions are about joining exciting and ambitious adventures ...
✅
More of a mindset than a decision but saying yes to every adventure no matter how crazy it sounded at first: Lausanne-Haute-Cime, Grammont trail race, and nighttime via ferattas were certainly among them.
Nathalie
Nathalie
✅
Taking two weeks off this summer to rediscover the French mountains by bike and by foot with Nathalie and Tim. A full mental reset and a reminder of the joy of slow travel. Definitely motivated to do more of this in 2026.
Camille
Camille
✅
I went slab climbing in Italy and learned to appreciate slabs… but the hard way!
Camilo
Camilo
✅
To commit for many different projects such as a bike trip, GR hike, trail race, a couloir, ski raids and even surfing in Spain, which by the way opened my perspective from “only mountains are cool” to “ocean can be cool too”.
Timothée
Timothée
... or participating in trail running races ...
✅
Definitely the decision to sign up to the humani’trail as I had so long wanted to get into trail running but didn’t really find the motivation.
Jozef
Jozef
✅
Taking part in the Humani'Trail in les Diablerets. I really liked the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. I didn't mind being muddy from top to toe.
Lucas
Lucas
✅
Participate in my first trail race! And even better, a duo race with my IAFL buddy Nathalie. An unforgettable race, which motivates me to do more of them.
Alex
Alex
... or learning a new skill.
✅
To buy a camera along with a telephoto lens. Capturing the emotions and landscapes make it an indispensable companion on many of my trips in the mountains.
Fabio
Fabio
But no good decision can be taken without many bad decisions beforehand. The question is:
What was your worst decision in 2025?
It is not surprising that forgetting things can render a mountain adventure rather inconvenient ...
⛔
Always triple check your gear (and the bus schedule)! I was going to go climbing at cabane d’orny with Camilo, and I misread the bus schedule, and 33 is in fact not 36… After arriving at the base of the mountain I get this weird feeling and I check my gear, turns out, you need climbing shoes for climbing… Ended up having to buy a pair on the spot. Ouch!
Jozef
Jozef
⛔
Being in a busy hut without earplugs is another factor besides altitude that keeps sleep away. I now have multiple pairs. One for each bag.
Lucas
Lucas
... but so can taking too much stuff ...
⛔
I’m a gourmet and love some comfort. For the tour des Écrins, I prepared many good meals requiring onions, tomatoes, etc… My heavy bag got the better of my weak body and Nathalie took care of the onion. Lesson learned : bread and cheese is the only way to go.
Timothée
Timothée
But even if your bring all the necessary equipment, forgetting to use it correctly can still lead to unpleasant consequences ...
⛔
I was once again reminded this year that I indeed have no more hair on my head, and that I should really put sunscreen or a hat on it in the mountains. Going up to the tracuit hut, I was severely punished for forgetting this…
Alex
Alex
... or, of course, you risk loosing it.
⛔
On a 14-pitch multipitch in Domodossola, I managed to drop my Reverso while starting the first rappel. Luckily, I was able to retrieve it. A few months later, during the Gais Alpins ridge, I dropped my Reverso again — this time for good, and Fabio had to rappel without his Reverso to get us out safely. Lesson learned: don’t drop your devices. Twice.
Camille
Camille
Also when planning new adventures, bad decisions can be taken ...
⛔
Don’t go ski touring too early in the season. I know you can’t wait for it, but your skis will regret it. But usually it’s still worth it.
Fabio
Fabio
⛔
We didn’t check the Swisstopo itinerary and later realized the path was closed due to flooding, so we had to turn back all the way.
Camilo
Camilo
... or not everything goes to plan ...
⛔
Public transport is great, but maybe not infinitely available. Fabio and I had a nice 5km run from Lausanne back to Renens at 1am after our slightly too long trail run (I’m sure Tim and Camille can relate after their night in Arolla).
Nathalie
Nathalie
Moving on to the honest gear review, we asked the IAFL members:
What is the best (or worst) piece of gear you've used in 2025?
For many of us, it's things that make life outdoors much more comfortable ...
👍
Lined crocs, with unicorn buttons. Incredibly stylish, very warm, and perfect for at campings or an expedition basecamp! The only thing to learn is how to rainbow dye them properly.
Alex
Alex
👍
Discreet but essential for warming the heart and body, the gas stove was THE companion for the bike trip and many bivouacs. Tea, risotto, soup, lyophilised, endless possibilities are offered by this (non-)essential piece of gear...
Timothée
Timothée
👍
My new airmat with high R-value. I thought this was overhyped, but after camping for a night up high and not being miserable, I wondered why I hadn't bought it earlier.
Lucas
Lucas
👍
A huge pack of hand warmers gifted by IAFL members and other friends for my birthday. Used on every single ski and mountaineering outing this year. My most reliable piece of gear — and a multiple-time life saver.
Camille
Camille
... more performant ...
👍
The petzl quick adjust for sure! One item that I did not know I needed so much. It’s a piece of gear that does one thing, and it does it well. Would 100% recommend!
Jozef
Jozef
👍
Trekking poles. I’ve just burned through my 6th pair within three years, but never regret bringing them along on trail runs, hikes, ski tours, and alpine tours.
Fabio
Fabio
... or more exciting.
👍
My mountain bike! I rediscovered this sport this year and realized how much fun it can be. It’s much more than a means of transportation!
Camilo
Camilo
Then again, it's a bummer when our gear lets us down.
💩
Straps on the outside of bags might seem like tempting places to put things, but they, in my case, often aren’t quite as secure as they look — I nearly lost an ice axe and did lose flip flops all because of misplaced trust in some not-quite-tight straps.
Nathalie
Nathalie
However, when we miss something, it can lead to some hilarious situations:
What was the most hilarious moment you've experienced in 2025?
😂
Me, Camille, and Alex went on a ski touring weekend to the cabane des aiguilles rouges. When we arrived at the hut we found that there were only 9 blankets for 10 people. To fight the cold we all decided to sleep in the eating area close to the stove to keep warm. The next morning I go upstairs to the sleeping area and what do I find behind a small wooden window cover? A large extra room with beds and all the blankets that you might want… Should have checked the night before.
Jozef
Jozef
😂
It was when we went back down from the multipitch climb in Domodossola. We saw a left turn on the hiking path which was ridiculously well marked: three arrows and two hiking path signs... We could be sure we were on the right way.
Fabio
Fabio
😂
Cycling in the Pyrenees this summer, Nathalie and I walked out of a bakery to strap our viennoiseries onto the bikepacks. We both stared at her bag for a solid two seconds, brains lagging, before realizing her flip-flops that were supposed to be attached had flown away on the downhill just before. The memory of the flying flip-flops is forever in my mind!
Camille
Camille
😂
Jozef missed his train, and then he realized he had forgotten his climbing shoes and had to buy some very expensive ones. Sorry for that Jozef :/
Camilo
Camilo
But even if nothing goes wrong, we can have a great laugh ...
😂
Timothée’s finger miming and sound effects of Jozef’s helicopter adventure was really something. Timothée has quite the talent for bringing our craziest moments to life with only a few sounds and his own two hands.
Nathalie
Nathalie
😂
At a hut with Nathalie and Camille, we played a drawn telephone game. One starts with an expression, the next person draws it, the next deduces the expression and so on. The laughter of “il pleut comme vache qui pisse” were memorable.
Timothée
Timothée
😂
After the raclette in Zweisimmen we all felt so full, that we decided that we should pose for a great picture using our hands to show the outlines of our food babies.
Lucas
Lucas
... especially, when we put our creativity into thinking of the funniest activities.
😂
One of this year’s highlights was for sure the Easter Olympics in Aosta. Masterfully set up by Camille and Tim. The picture of them racing with toilet rolls while wearing beautiful sunglasses is burnt in my memory forever (see the blog for the picture ;)).
Alex
Alex
However, we are not just there to laugh and enjoy, but also to learn, grow, and push our limits. We asked our members:
In what moment were you most outside your comfort zone?
As mountain sports enthusiasts, the scariest moments clearly happened out there.
😱
Walking unroped on the rocky ridge to the Pointe de Zinal with crampons, seeing a sheer vertical drop on the left, and a giant bergschrund on the right. Probably the moment I felt most “alive”.
Jozef
Jozef
😱
My craziest decision was to follow Fabio to the couloir de la Pointe d’Orny. Although I trained for it, the steep slope and long void below my skies was daunting. The idea of willingly putting oneself in a risky situation rather than simply facing it is odd. Great experience.
Timothée
Timothée
😱
I was most outside of my comfort zone while scrambling in the Sierras. Good thing I had IAFL’s most optimistic member at my side.
Nathalie
Nathalie
😱
With Alex I traversed the ridge leading to the Chüpfenflue in the summer. This ridge was my sketchiest trip of the year: my hands holding on to the sharp teeth of the ridge, whilst my feet were scrambling for grip, knowing full well that if I had let go there would have been no tomorrow.
Lucas
Lucas
😱
Multipitch slab climbing in Domodossola. Slab is… humbling. As a not-yet-experienced climber, my nerves were thoroughly tested. Thankfully, I was tied to the IAFL Most Patient Rope Partner Award winner, and I left extremely motivated to climb better.
Camille
Camille
But surprisingly, also some seemingly innocent activities send shivers down our spines.
😱
Deep talks in Domodossola.
Camilo
Camilo
😱
I was most out of my comfort zone when participating in a traditional dance in India, dancing with locals while wearing an elaborate traditional dress.
Alex
Alex
😱
Going along for a flight in terrible conditions in a four seater plane with Jozef in Zweisimmen. We barely managed to take off and suddenly dropped tens of meters in front of the Vanil Noir. I’m happy to be alive.
Fabio
Fabio
IAFL Awards
Each of the eight members of IAFL is a vital part of the association. We share common goals and a passion for learning and spending time in the mountains. At the same time, every member brings their own unique traits. In this section of the yearbook, we celebrate (or gently mock) what makes each of us stand out.
🗺️
Most Optimistic Planner Award: Fabio
For consistently believing that the approach would be short, the weather would improve, and the descent would be obvious.
For consistently believing that the approach would be short, the weather would improve, and the descent would be obvious.
🍫
Best Snack Provider Award: Timothée
For proving that morale is directly proportional to pastry quality. Special mention to the ail des ours tressé at Pigne d'Arolla.
For proving that morale is directly proportional to pastry quality. Special mention to the ail des ours tressé at Pigne d'Arolla.
👌
Most Likely to Say “I’m Fine” Award: Nathalie
For proving that morale is directly proportional to pastry quality. Special mention to the ail des ours tressé at Pigne d'Arolla.
For proving that morale is directly proportional to pastry quality. Special mention to the ail des ours tressé at Pigne d'Arolla.
🧗
Most Patient Rope Partner
Award: Jozef
For carrying cams on a 14-pitch slab climb without complaint, questions, or visible despair.
For carrying cams on a 14-pitch slab climb without complaint, questions, or visible despair.
🥵
Worst Sunburn Award: Alex
For letting his head absorb the recommended yearly dose of UV rays in a single day.
For letting his head absorb the recommended yearly dose of UV rays in a single day.
📚
Walking Enyclopedia Award: Lucas
Whatever question you may have, you'll have it answered by our walking dictionary.
Whatever question you may have, you'll have it answered by our walking dictionary.
🥳
The Hype Master: Camille
For thinking of the most creative, fun and ambitious plans, and making sure to motivate everyone to join along for a great time.
For thinking of the most creative, fun and ambitious plans, and making sure to motivate everyone to join along for a great time.
🐻
Hibernation Award: Camilo
For disappearing during the whole winter and coming back with full force when spring approaches.
For disappearing during the whole winter and coming back with full force when spring approaches.
Project timeline
It's hard to believe how many projects the members of IAFL have completed in just one year. To keep track, we've compiled the major projects in the table below for future reference.
