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).

Wilsons Promontory National Park

These were the last days in Australia before returning home to Switzerland and I could have not imagine a better place to end the 6 weeks journey.  As I look at this image of myself running on the beach feeling space and freedom for me this is what life is about; playing in outdoors, being our true selves, doing what we love, spending quality time with our loved ones and drinking good wine. The more life is simple the more it is fulfilling.

Wilsons Promontory National Park is one of the most beloved national parks by Australians, and for me one of the most special place in the world. It is located at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia (Victoria), 150 km south of Melbourne. ‘The Prom’, as it’s affectionately known its wilderness and rainforest, stunning coastal scenery, some mountains and secluded, swimming and surfing white-sand beaches. We caught a fish, stayed at Squeaky Beach (stunning wild beach with orange rock formations), hiked Mount Oberon and watched sunsets. If you travel in Australia one day this is a place to come to!