Täschhorn - First snow

The Täschhorn peaks at 4491m above the Saas-Fee valley. It is one of the summits mythical 4000m peaks of the Mishabel massif, which marks the border with Zermatt.

This photograph was taken from Zermatt in autumn, early in the morning, from the air, after a few snowfalls; it shows the sharp ridge leading to the Dom (4545m), the highest summit entirely in Switzerland. In the background, from left to right, you can see the Dirruhorn (4034m), the Höbarghorn (4141m) and the Stecknadelhorn (4239m).

With the fresh snow, the light illuminating the face of the Täschhorn is reflected in the shaded glaciers below. And with this particular shot, summit looks like a mountain straight from the Himalayas. The play of colors leaves much to the imagination, with some rocks resembling ebony, and the grays and whites of the glaciers creating dreamlike shapes. Dreamers will find in this shot more than just a mass of rock and ice, but infinite poetic possibilities.

This mountain has attracted many renowned mountaineers and skiers, for better or worse. The famous Patrick Berhault sadly died at the age of 46 on the famous ridge leading to the Dom in 2004, while attempting the 82 summits 4000m winter ascent. When asked about his friend and lifelong brother, Patrick Edlinger said of Berhault that he should have known better than to say no and given up trying to climb 4000m a day - he's a jerk, and I miss that jerk! he said in a trembling voice, with a tear in his eye... and in 2021, elite skiers Paul Bonhomme and Vivan Bruchez opened a new route called X in the face: 950m of steep descent.

The Täschhorn, like many mountains in the Alps, reminds us of our smallness and fragility.