In the heights of Zinal, nothing moves. All is still. Shapes emerge in the subdued light, like shadows carved in mist. To the left, the Besso rises its two distinctive horns. In the background, barely visible, theObergabelhorn rises.

I gazed at these two summits for a long time before being able to immortalize them. The atmosphere is soft, hushed, as if the world were holding its breath. The freshly fallen snow softens the contrasts. The Besso - literally "the twins" in local dialect - strides confidently forward. Its presence, though modest on the scale of the Valais giants, is no less noble. It is close, familiar and benevolent. Behind it, theObergabelhorn takes shape. Higher, wilder, almost unreal. Its peak seems to float in the air, caught up in the clouds. We guess more than we see.

In this scene, there is neither drama nor conquest. Just a moment of suspended grace. An ode to the mountains at their most majestic and soothing.