From Stafelalp, the Hörnli ridge stands out in all its clarity. This mythical Matterhorn ridge guides climbers to the summit of the Queen Mountain, at an altitude of 4,478 metres. Here, the normal route is outlined with striking precision, underlined by the clouds still clinging to the slopes.

The Matterhorn breathes. Its dark rock contrasts with the white clouds that glide along its ridge. The light reveals every detail, accentuating the verticality of this sovereign pyramid. The Hörnli ridge, so famous and so feared, unfurls like an arrow reaching for the sky. It seems to invite the gaze, but already imposes respect for its demands.

I contemplate this scene where nature composes a picture of rare intensity. The clouds, held back by the mountain, seem suspended in their ascent. They reveal the itinerary, highlighting its roughness and outlining its every contour. The Matterhorn becomes a monument, a living sculpture born of dialogue between rock and sky.

Climbed for the first time in 1865 by Edward Whymper and his fellow climbers, this ridge remains one of the most emblematic routes in the Alps. It tells the story of generations of climbers who have come to measure themselves against the lord of Zermatt. But at this moment, it no longer speaks of feat or conquest. It expresses the grandeur of a summit that surpasses man and reminds us of our fragility.

In this black-and-white portrait, I want to freeze this fleeting vision: the ridge of the Hörnli, outlined by the clouds, standing like a path to the absolute. The Matterhorn stands out, Powerful and timeless, an eternal witness to the beauty of the Alps.