Storm on the Border

Dance of the elements at summit on the Cima di Jazzi, which rises to an altitude of 3796 metres on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Separating the Zermatt valley from the Anzasca valley, the mountain faces the famous Matterhorn, king of the Valais Alps. Its Swiss face is discreet compared to the impressive silhouette of its neighbors, Monte Rosa and Liskamm. But on the Italian side of Macugnaga, the Cima di Jazzi rises like a gigantic cliff. From one side to the other, mountains often reveal different aspects of their personality. In this black and white photograph, the Cima di Jazzi reveals the softness of its relief and the purity of its lines.

The mountain's poetic name inspires me. One day, I'd like to climb it on ski touring skis, to be able to contemplate the most beautiful 4,000-metre peaks in the Alps from above summits . I waited many years before succeeding in conjuring up the magic of the Cima di Jazzi. Then, finally, one stormy day from Italy, just as the mountain was beginning to be engulfed by a thick cloud bar, nature offered me this fascinating spectacle. At the end of its glacier, a magnificent white desert, a storm arose. An astonishing cloud formed, linking the snowy summit to the sky. Unreal splendor immortalized in this photograph, witness to the power of nature's impulses. I'm always on the lookout for unique moments, the interplay of light and form. So much beauty revealed by the god Aeolus, if only we take the trouble to pay attention to the elements. Take the time to contemplate the high mountains and wait for the time to come. That absolute moment when nature redraws its landscape.