about the work

The Mönch makes a celestial appearance on this photograph taken in ultra high definition. The precision of the details highlights the incredible beauty of this high summit. We are in the bernese alps, on the heights of Grindelwald. Culminating at 4110 meters of altitude, the Mönch is next to the famous mountains Eiger and Jungfrau, forming an impressive triptych of rock and ice.

I made this work by helicopter in 2022, after an autumn storm had deposited the first snow of the season on summit . In full flight, I saw the clouds moving to surround the Mönch. Suddenly, this mythical summit seemed to emerge from a sea of clouds to reach the sky. I immediately asked the pilot to position himself so that I could immortalize this celestial vision of unbelievable power.

The play of light and shadow highlights the southwest ridge and the normal route of this Alpine giant. I had the chance to climb this magnificent mountain shortly before to capture its beauty. I climbed its southwest ridge in the mist. Upon reaching summit, I was suddenly caught in a snowstorm. I had no idea where I was. I could barely make out my steps. The ridge was so narrow that I only had room to put one foot in front of the other. It was a pretty scary situation. I had to cross the summit ridge of the Mönch on my back, drowned in the mist and snow, which swirled around me. I then went down the normal route to the Mönchjoch Hütte. Exhausted by this adventure, I was happy to reach this hut. The Mönch is one of the most popular 4000 meter peaks in the Alps summits . It is indeed quite easy to climb because a train leads to the Jungfraujoch, located at 3600 meters. Afterwards, there is only a small difference in altitude to be overcome to reach its summit. Nevertheless, the weather conditions always dictate the degree of difficulty of an ascent, and mine was, that day, particularly difficult.