When the storm subsides and the veil of clouds breaks, it rises up before my eyes - imposing, sovereign. The Dent Blanche, undisputed queen of the Alps, reveals itself in an almost mystical apparition. Seen from the Val d'Anniviers, its colossal silhouette impresses me every time I contemplate it.

The Quatre Ânes ridge stretches out in front of us. To the left, the normal route winds along the southern ridge. To the right, the famous, more austere north ridge. Maupassant's "Monstrueuse Coquette" - rarely has a nickname been so perfectly chosen. Monstrous in its size, which defies comprehension, and coquettish in the way it adorns itself in snow and light. Until 2024, I'd never contemplated it from such a striking angle. When the fury of the elements subsides and the sun peeks over the horizon, the rays caress its flanks with an almost supernatural clarity.

Clouds still cling stubbornly to its summit. This vaporous crown adds to its mystery, a diaphanous veil that partially conceals its summit. We can make out the summit without fully seeing it. In this contemplative face-to-face encounter with one of the finest creations of the Valais Alps, time stands still. The mountain becomes a mirror of the soul, an invitation to an inner journey as much as a physical ascent. La Dent Blanche Blanche is a perfect reflection of the splendour of nature that inhabits our world.