Augstbordhorn 2,972m - the last ski tour this season

This was the last ski-tour this season, the summit of Augstbordhorn in the canton of Valais, in the German speaking part of Switzerland. Beautifully guided tour by George Sanga (grey-hair, handsome man on photos); 1,500 m of altitude gain was fluid and well timed; challenging snow under the summit and easier descent in spring, lightly melted lower parts. This was the last ski-tour of this season and the first one with the Swiss Alpine Club and it went really well.  I felt melancholic that the ski-touring season is over, kept looking at snow covered mountains, again and again, taking it all in before the tour ended. Thankfully there will be more snow days to come..Spring has arrived and wonderful to feel the newly grown grass under my feet. 

Mountain photography workshop with Jiri Benovsky

This was a beautiful April weekend spent in the mountains for a workshop with a photographer Jiri Benovsky. I have been waiting and anticipating this special two days since already a few months. Such a thrill to pack a camera with two lenses, touring skis and all necessary clothes for the low temperatures and a night in the mountain hut. We spent the weekend on the Wildstrubel mountain, in the Bernese Alps. There were clear, blue skies and plenty of spring sunshine to practice our photographic skills with Jiri. The first day we mainly mastered photographing the skiing action and I have not expected to have so much fun learning it. Here are some images of our mountain guide Yoann in action, a pleasure to photograph his exquisite skiing style.

The joy of outdoor photography; Jiri during our ski action session.

Theory, Q&A session with Jiri in the Wildstrubel mountain hut (2, 791m) where we spent the night. Although sometimes it is difficult to sleep at the higher altitude, I love these silent and cold mountain nights; the cozy atmosphere of the alpine house set in the middle of white stillness and vastness.

The next day we got up at 5 AM, put on the skis and climbed to the near pass to catch the sunrise. My hands were so cold and I could hardly set up the camera but such minor things are ignored when you are in this sublime space, when a new day is just to begin.

Crisp clear sunrise stretching its light across the plateau of Plaine Morte.

We did a proper ski tour guided by Yoann, we were so lucky to have such perfect ski conditions. 

Below are PHOTOS OF JIRI BENOVSKY, I find brilliant these action shots taken with wide angle lens (Canon 10-22 mm)

Our group climbing up. Photos by Jiri Benovsky.

And our climb before the sunset captured by Jiri.

So much I learned during these two days and although there were a few tough moments of carrying all this equipment while climbing up I was filled with joy every minute. If you love spending time in the mountains and want to learn more how to capture this beauty Jiri offers a couple of workshops per year and all the info is on his website www.benovsky.com.

Information about our mountain guide Yoann (a wonderful guide!) and his services you can find him here. 

For this workshop I used  Nikon camera and 2 Nikon lenses: 24-70 mm and 70-200 mm (usually I use Canon but wanted to test another equipment).

First winter summits snapshots

On the top of the Mont Noble (2,673m) just before the New Year

With AnneSo on the summit of Walighuerli (2,050m) in December

With friends on the small summit of Aiguille de Mex 1,866m (Dents du Midi in the background)

Summit of La Para 2,540m

La Para seen from the distance (actually from the Walighuerli)

There is not much snow these last couple of months but the weather on a few weekends was gorgeous in December and January to be in the great space of the mountains either snowshoeing or ski-touring. We did a few gentle summits as a good training below 3,000 m:

- Mont Noble 2,673 m (start from Nax village, at the entrance of Val d'Hérens), 

- Walighuerli 2,050 m (starting point in the village Feutersoey), 

- Aiguille de Mex 1,866 m (staring in Mex village),

- La Para 2,540 m (start above the village l'Etivaz), 

- La Berneuse 2,045 m (start in Leysin) this one I did solo and felt lazy to carry a camera so no pics. 

In all, feeling strong, fit and in good mental spirits for this New Year. A big and far travel is coming up, the next time more about it.