Jérémy Berardi, a 24-year-old from Nice, is embarking on a crazy challenge: trekking the GR5 trail on foot, which connects Nice to Amsterdam. And it’s not just for the pleasure of burning a few calories.
Native of Falicon and a graduate of the journalism school in Nice, Jérémy Berardi is not used to long hikes. But it was during one of them, with his friends, that he made an alarming observation. “During our hike, we noticed that the edges of the trails are dirty, especially the places where walkers can rest. We found a lot of trash along the way. I thought about it a lot and decided to embark on this project.”
A crazy project, considering how difficult the GR5 trail can seem: the path crosses no less than five countries over nearly 2,600 kilometers. Nice, Briançon, Modane, to join the Grande Traversée des Alpes. Then Switzerland, Lake Geneva, the Jura, the Vosges, the Moselle, before leaving the country to reach Luxembourg, then Belgium, and finally the Netherlands.
To prepare for this trek, worthy of shows like “Pékin Express,” Jérémy has prepared himself. “I’ve done some hikes, of course, so I don’t come off as a tourist,” he clarifies without losing his humor. “I hope I won’t get too many blisters!” He’s also equipped himself accordingly: nearly 2,000 euros worth of gear, which he will take with him. The necessary hiking equipment, of course, but also tools to feed his Facebook page (Jerem’ on The Road) where he will share updates throughout his journey. “Initially, I will make posts on Facebook to share my adventure.” A YouTube channel will also be launched: “I think once I’m back, I’ll start publishing the videos, to summarize and showcase my adventure.”
An adventure expected to last “about eighty days, maybe more,” according to Jérémy. But he is not afraid. Perhaps he’s a bit apprehensive about the adventure, being attached to his hometown, but his determination is unshaken. “The goal of the trip is to pick up as much litter as possible while attempting to show the challenges of such a long journey for a beginner like me. Maybe it will allow me to show a more human side.”
One thing is certain, covering such a distance to highlight the importance of simply picking up one’s trash is already a beautiful proof of humanity.
