KINGS OF THE ENGIADIN
Majestic. Timeless. Beautiful. Awe-inspiring. So many words have been written about mountains – so many adjectives, so many attempts to explain their eternal fascination. But in the end, it comes down to how they make us feel. When we gaze upon a mountain, what emotions does it stir within us? As we contemplate it from below, we may be beset by feelings of challenge, ambition, or aspiration. Or perhaps we feel awe, reverence, or a deep sense of calm. Once we set foot on its slopes, we may have to struggle, push ourselves to our physical and mental limits and discover new facets of ourselves. And when we stand on the summit, the sense of freedom, achievement and release is second to none. Suddenly we gain a whole new perspective and see the world through fresh eyes. It’s an experience that can transform us forever.
In the past, mountains engendered a certain machismo. They were “conquered”, beaten into submission through endeavor, technology, or sheer bloody-mindedness. That mindset still exists but is gradually giving way to an understanding that it is not conquering but care and conservation that counts. Mountains and glaciers may look strong and timeless, but we are becoming frighteningly aware of their fragility. Climate change is wreaking havoc on our mountain environments, to the point that future generations may never be able to experience them as we do today. Pictures of fast-retreating glaciers provide a stark illustration of how quickly our planet is changing.
Crast’ Agüzza not the Matterhorn
Tree kings; Piz Argient (Silberberg), Piz Palü and Piz Bernia
It was in this spirit of care and curatorship that I recently took to the skies on a bright blue morning after fresh snowfall on the peaks. The experienced pilot Beda wove around the high summits of the Engadin, revealing perspectives that are seen only by a fortunate few. The results are captured in my new series of photos, Kings of the Engadin. Also featuring shots taken on earlier expeditions in the Bernina Range, close to the famous resort of St Moritz, the series draws you into the pristine world of this stunning mountain region. They include well-known peaks such as Piz Bernina and the Biancograt, the most isolated mountain in Switzerland, the ridges of the Crast’ Agüzza as they snake their vertiginous route to the summit, and the vast, untouched expanses of fresh snow on the Piz Argient and Morteratsch Glacier.
Biancograt on the way up to Piz Bernina in the morning light
Available in the blues and whites that took my breath away on that fine winter morning, or in dramatic black and white, these limited-edition prints will add beauty and flair to your home or office. If you cannot come to the mountain, the mountain really can come to you. Hang them on your wall then stand back and experience how they transform your room, pique the interest of your guests, inspire creativity, engender calm, or urge you to dream of achieving new heights. One thing is certain – just like the mountains themselves – these images will exert an eternal fascination.
