Mountain life can be rough, beautiful and exiting. Yet, it isn’t just about living to survive in the rough environment, but about experiencing, exploring and using the challenges and opportunity.
Mountain houses and cottages
Mountain houses in the snow.
Mountain cottages in the snow.
It does snow in the winter and cottages are build for this.
In the high mountain regions of Switzerland cottages are often build on a high stone foundation or an extension of some kind, as when it starts to snow it can snow a lot.
Cottage in the high mountains.
House in the border area between France and Switzerland.
Airborne
In the high mountain regions ordinary transport means, such as vehicles or by foot are some times not possible or far too slow. Rescue operations and sometimes people transport, for example when the avalanches has crashed out roads and train tracks, as well as constructions in high altitude or even the provision of goods may only be possible by helicopter.
Specialized helicopter services, both private and with the Gendarmerie, have developed in many of the countries straddling the high Alps such as in France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria.
The French gendarmerie may be best known for its law enforcement duties among the civilian population of rural areas and small towns, but the gendarmerie in high mountain areas such as Chamonix also has mountain rescue as an important function. Their Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM) with base in Chamonix is famous.
Helicopter from PGHM with base in Chamonix flying high.
The Swiss Air-Glaciers saving people who had stranded in the high mountains after avalanches crashed the only tracks going there.
The Swiss Air-Zermatt saving people who had stranded in the high mountains after avalanches crashed the only tracks going there.
The Swiss Air-Zermatt saving people who had stranded in the high mountains after avalanches crashed the only tracks going there.
The Swiss Air-Zermatt saving people who had stranded in the high mountains after avalanches crashed the only tracks going there.
Air-Zermatt Hamilton helicopter in the air.
Air-Zermatt Hamilton helicopter in the air.
Air-Zermatt helicopter in the air.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Hélicoptères (CMBH) flying people at Mont Blanc.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Hélicoptères (CMBH) in the air
In the air
The French Chamonix Mont-Blanc Hélicoptères (CMBH) in action.
Small airplane people transport is also done.
Paragliding
Preparing for a tandem paragliding experience.
After take off the pilot in the tandem paragliding team immediate ensures the wing is holding and then get the unexperienced passenger properly seated.
Tandem paragliding
A running and acrobatic take off with one of the fast small wings.
Freedom of paragliding.
Freedom of paragliding
Paraglider exploring
Paraglider enjoying life.
Paraglider having space
High flying tandem paragliding.
Paraglider in open space.
Paragliding over high mountain ground.
Paragliding with a view to far lands.
Paragliding in the sky.
Paragliding late in the day.
Paragliding in the high mountain areas.
Paragliding in the high mountain areas.
Paragliding with a view to the 4000+ meters mountains.
When turning with a paraglider wing the body counter weighs the rotation.
Flying close to the high mountains gives an easy reality of the magnitude of these. And furthermore also how up thermal wind can be generated on the sides.
Paragliding in the high mountain areas.
Paragliding in the high mountain areas.
World class and champion acrobatic paragliding pilot Felix Rodriguez performing an infinity tumbling flight.
World class and champion acrobatic paragliding pilot Felix Rodriguez performing an infinity tumbling flight. Here in front of Mont Blanc.
Paragliding in the high mountain areas.
The paraglider pilot perfectly took off the speed just before landing and have smooth contact with ground.
Landing with a tandem paragliding team. When coming down the paragliding can have a speed of 30+ km/h but can stop it up before landing.
Tandem paragliding team performing a good landing.
Slackline Walking
Slackline walking at 3700 meters altitude. Be careful of the gusts!
Slackline walking at 3700 meters altitude.
Slackline walking at 3700 meters altitude. And hundreds of meters below
Successfully making it across the slackline
Slackline walking at 3700 meters altitude. And hundreds of meters below
Slackline walking at 3700 meters altitude. Reaching the other side
Slackline walking at 3700 meters altitude. This is a challenge!
Mountaineering
Mountaineering in the Alps
Making sure you are secured
Transversing the Glacier at high altitude
Transversing the Glacier and crevasses at high altitude
It requires knowledge and skills to manage in the high mountains. The less experienced is robed in the middle. The first person has a high responsibility on finding the right route and the last protect in case of some accident.
Mountaineering is an organized and well prepared activity.
Mountaineering is an organized activity
In two persons teams the mountain guide takes the end position and directs from there.
Climbing on ice covered surfaces can be dangerous and protective actions are vital.
Getting down an ice slope of a crevasse.
High mountain mountaineering
Mountaineering school in practical action
High mountain mountaineering
Mountaineering in new fallen powder snow can be dangerous. If you do not know to get down a steep slope you may slide. Here the slide will be 300 meter and then 600+ meters free fall down to the rocks at the bottom.
Mountaineering in new fallen powder snow can be dangerous, and precautions are taken on the steep slopes.
Mountaineering in new fallen powder snow.
It can be intimidating to look over the snow edge down.
Mountaineering in new fallen powder snow can be dangerous. It can be perilous to fall in to a crevasse, and the new snow can cover them perfectly.
High mountain mountaineering.
Mountaineering across the snow covered glaciers.
Mountaineering across the snow covered glaciers.
If a mountaineering team get in to a slide urgent actions are taken to prevent this from developing to a full scale fall.
High mountain mountaineering.
High mountain mountaineering.
High mountain mountaineering.
High mountain mountaineering.
High mountain mountaineering.
High mountain mountaineering, team leaving Aiguille du Midi at 3800 meter.
Mountain guide takes no chance.
Mountaineering team starting out
Mountaineering across the glaciers.
Mountaineering school drilling in the new fallen snow
Mountaineering school drilling in the new fallen snow.
Large mountaineering party
Mountaineering on ice and snow.
In the mountains
Learning ice climbing
Base camp, preparing for the climbing
Taking a rest
Crowded ascent
Properly trained and secured climbing is a lot of fun
Teamwork
Time for a thought
Still a way to go
Hiking
Mountain hiking at Plan de l'Aiguille on the Mont Blanc massif.
Hiking with small child
Lac Blanc is a famous and popular little lake from which one can see the reflection of the Mont-Blanc massif in its clear water. It is only accessible by mountain hikers.
Mountain hiking gives very awarding views.
Mountain hiking
Mountain hiking
Mountain hiking or running!
Hiking trail towards the Mer de Glace and further.
Hiking trail towards the mountains, with Grands Charmoz in view.
Hiking trail with a beautiful view to the Mont Blanc massif.
Hiking in the mountains
Hiking trail towards the Mer de Glace.
Stairway to the mountains in the sky.
Mountain hiking trail.
Hiking trail with a beautiful view to the Mont Blanc massif.
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Downhill skiing the fun way
Skiing
Skiing with a view
Skiing with a view
Skiing
Skiing with a view
High mountain skiing is entirely off the piste. And skiers are to be able to do ice climbing and be ready to do so.
High mountain skiing
High mountain skiing
High mountain skiing is off the piste and can be dangerous.
Skiing with a view
Skiing with a view
Getting to the off-piste skiing ground
Taking a rest at high altitude skiing. Holes in the snow is a good way of protecting against the wind at temperatures of below -25 degrees Celsius.
Off-piste skiing at high altitude
Off-piste skiing at high altitude
Off-piste skiing at high altitude
Off-piste skiing at high altitude
Off-piste skiing at high altitude
Downhill and slalom racing is a challenge when you don't have legs, it can be mastered expertly and shows mankind can overcome significant personal barriers.
Racing down the track requires adjusted equipment and skills when you don't have legs. It can be expertly done as demonstrated here.
High mountain skiing
High mountain skiing.
High mountain skiing.
High mountain skiing
Lifts are crucial for mountain ski resorts
Getting back up the hard way...
High mountain skiing.
Nordic skiing in the Alps
Snowboarding
Skills often start with experience and practice at a young age.
Scenic snowboarding
Snowboarding in high altitudes
Snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding
Biking
Snow biking requires specialized tires and skills.
Snow biking.
Driving
In the high mountains it can snow a lot in a few hours or days, and clearing roads and spaces for traffic is a specialized job.
In the high mountains it can snow a lot in a few hours or days, and clearing roads and spaces for traffic is a specialized job.
In the high mountains driving a car during the winter requires snow chains.
Even with a four wheel driven car it may be adventures to drive in the mountains.
Snow cleaning of train tracks
Go to Mountains and Rivers
Go to Animals
Go to Cityscapes and Castles
