When Urbain II launched a call for the 1st crusade from the large neighbouring city of Clermont, Alric and Guillaume left with Baron Lavort to go to the aid of their Christian brothers, but also in the hope of discovering new know-how. Crossing the Alps was much more difficult than they thought it would be. Snow, wind and cold linked with steep passages made this stage perilous. The peasants, who made up the majority of the crusades, were not equipped for such a journey: their ill fitting clogs and shoes were very slippery on this hazardous terrain and some unlucky ones had already lost their lives.