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Tag Archives: Europe
Runner’s World Holland Cover
No matter how many times I get an email with the line, “We’d like to use the attached image as… in our…”, I anxiously scroll down to see what image has been chosen. In our case, it isn’t “just” a photo, it’s a piece of our lives, a memory that is going to be shared and used to hopefully inspire others to get out and have some fun.
Recently, upon receipt of an email from the editor at the Netherlands edition of Runner’s World, I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the image selected for the next cover of a trail running special. It’s me, but not only this, it’s from a day in the mountains that Janine and I remember as quite possibly the best we have ever had together. Rewards come in many forms, but none greater then knowing you are living the life you always dreamed of.
To see the whole story behind this great day, please visit our Mountain Sport site : DolomiteSport : A Masterpiece
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Posted in Clips, Dolomites, DolomiteSport, Trail Running
Also tagged Dolomites, Mountain Sports, Trail Running
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John Harlin Walking the Swiss Border
Earlier this summer we posted our story & photos about John Harlin’s Swiss Border project. It was a project we were very lucky to be a part of as we would have the pleasure of meeting John, spending some days with him as he walked the entire Swiss Border, and getting to visually document part of the process. After three very long & difficult days with John, I was left thinking that in order to complete this epic journey he would need a very strong will, endless endurance and bomber knees. Apparently, he has all these things as yesterday, September 12, at exactly noon, he summited Mont Dolent – this, after 104 days of being on the move . By doing so, he completed a very large circle that offered him countless geographic and weather challenges, but also an endless stream of memorable trailside human encounters and support via social media.
John Harlin arriving to the summit of Mont Dolent
We joined him as he first set out this summer, then again yesterday for his finish atop Mont Dolent, which serves as the border between France, Italy and Switzerland. Also in our group were supporters & partners from Swiss Tourism, some close friends, and his host SwissInfo.ch.
The day started off with the sound of heavy rain bombarding our bivouac on the Italian side of Mont Dolent. 5 am, rain, 6am, rain, 7 am, drizzle. With drizzle being a major improvement, and John determined to close the project, we all set out. 30 minutes later as we gained the glacier the first rays of sun were streaming through the clouds. Shortly after this we had bluebird conditions and a freshly frosted mountain all to ourselves.
A huge congratulations to John for completing his journey and lifelong dream. There are some great stories from along the way at SwissInfo Border Stories. Also, a follow up summary is soon to follow and can be watched for at the SwissBorder Facebook Page. His own write up of the final day is appropriately titled, Party Time.
A few images from a great day with a superb group of people.
Inside the Bivouaco Fiorio. Too bad we had to carry all the schnapps & wine up, there just wasn't enough.
John Harlin leaving the bivouac in wet and unpleasant weather for his final day on the Swiss Border
The crew negotiating a heavily crevassed glacier below Mont Dolent
The skies cleared to a perfect last day. Here, John is on the upper glacier before the final rock ridge.
John Harlin and Friends on the summit of Mont Dolent. Congratulations John.
Even the Ibex were out in support. This big guy was on the doorstep of the bivouac when we returned.
Everyone down and happy to the bivouac with Mont Dolent behind.
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Posted in Climbing, Photography, Profiles
Also tagged Documentary, hiking, Photography, Photoshoots, Switzerland
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A Busy Week in the Life of PatitucciPhoto
We live a busy schedule of combining work with play - for us, they are one and the same, we call it life. Living and working in the mountains is simply what we do. But the last week was particularly dense with activity and has finally ended on a drizzly day in Switzerland where I can finally sit and get all caught up – for not only were we on the move, we had no phone service for much of the last 6 days.
It started with friends visiting the Dolomites, lots of road biking and a 21 pitch climb on the South Face of the Tofana, one of the Dolomites largest walls. Then it was straight to the Graubunden Region of Switzerland where we spent some days climbing in the Sciora group. From there I rode my bike back to St. Moritz before climbing another amazing wall above Disentis, Switzerland, the Piz Cavardiras. Once down from shooting photos, and the climbing itself, I jumped back on the bike and rode over several major Swiss passes before bumping into the Bernese Oberland and calling it good. As in exhausted. Maybe I have been drinking too much coffee. A huge thanks to two friends who joined and helped us in the fun; Thomas Engl and Tim Connelly.
This then is our visual diary.
Tim Connelly on the South Face of the Dolomite's Tofana - 21 pitches that he accurately described as being more of an odyssey than a climb. Agreed.
Thomas Engl on the Sciora Group's Innominata; Via di Mezzo 6a
From dumping rain, it snowed, then in ten minutes it was sunny and warm for cragging.
Shame shame shame, but well done Thommy
Thommy Engl cragging above the Sciora Hut
Thommy & Janine in the Sciora Hut, course number 1 is soup
Thommy Engl on the upper pitches of the 22 pitch Piz Pioda, 6a, in the Sciora Group
Thommy Engl on the upper pitches of the 22 pitch Piz Pioda in the Sciora Group
The Sciora Hut sits directly beneath some impressive granite walls and spires
The walk out from Sciora after an all day journey that started, and would end, with headlamps
Above Disentis, Switzerland is the Piz Cavardiras and an amazing 6b+ direct line up one of the best routes I have done anywhere in alpine terrain
What started in blue skies on the Piz Cavardiras turned cold and dank
I opted to pedal to the next venue over the Oberalp and then Furka Passes, pictured here in heavy traffic
PatitucciPhoto and the rolling office/home
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Posted in Climbing, Photography
Also tagged alpine climbing, Climbing, Mountain Sports, Photography
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The Dream Job Schedule
The Tuscan village of Pienza
Outdoor Industry Photographer Life
In addition to being professional photographers, I think it’s safe to say we could be considered professional travelers. In February, after plugging many clients needs into the calendar, we saw that to make everything work we would have to be on the go for seven straight weeks. In the last twelve years we’ve done a lot of back to back trips, but this was ridiculous; Tuscany (post), Norway, Chamonix, Sicily, Switzerland, Italy – in two cases we went straight from airports home to swap bags, then dashed to the next location. Planes, airports, and cars served as editing stations, the iPhone the entire communication platform.
In Montura's new Gore ProShell, Kurt Astner climbing his route White Chocolate. Norway
Our trip to Norway was for W.L. Gore (Gore-Tex) and the Italian clothing company Montura. The goal was to photograph professional climber Kurt Astner climbing some new ice routes in bad weather. The trip also included our own fun, both wandering around the Lyngen Alps and lots of backcountry ski days.
Evening walk along the Norwegian Fjords and scoping ski lines on the other side
A day to ourselves with four laps of fun in the Lyngen Alps
From Norway we flew to Munich, drove three hours home, did laundry, slept a few hours and were in the car headed for Chamonix. The Swiss women’s clothing company Wild Roses had hired us to photograph two of their athletes for three days. The job was to document each of their lives as mother’s and very busy mountain athletes. Esther Larios is a Swiss UIAGM Mountain Guide based in Chamonix and a mother of two. American Nina Silitch, also a great friend and mother of two, is one of the world’s top women ski randonee racers, competing & training fulltime on the World Cup circuit while living in Chamonix. With each of them we spent a full day photographing their day to day routine. Then, the third day we headed into the mountains for a fun day of alpine climbing and skiing work.
Esther Larios and Nina Silitch on Chamonix's Midi Plan Traverse
Nina Silitch
Esther Larios and Nina Silitch in Chamonix
During the Chamonix shoot it became apparent it was crunch time. After the third day shooting skiing and climbing, we were back in the car for the 6 hour drive home. Once there, Groundhog Day; laundry, a bit of sleep, an attempt to edit, then our bell was ringing. Great friends Christof and Evi were outside, the car was packed, we were headed to Sicily for a week of sport climbing. Unlike the other trips, Sicily was our own shoot, both for stock and our DolomiteSport story. AAhhh…. relax a bit, get caught up, deliver some jobs, hang with friends and get a bunch of climbing in.
Christof Ursch at the Castle of Aragon, 7b. San Vito lo Capo, Sicily
With Sicily a wrap, we were back home and awaiting the arrival of our friend Ben Grasseschi from the US. Ben was on his way over to spend two weeks with us, ski touring and shooting more work for Gore. We had news for Ben… while he is from Lake Tahoe, where even now, well into April, they are still skiing winter powder, we in Europe had a mostly ski free winter. As photographers, we need blower powder, untracked lines and interesting weather. For Ben, and for much of the winter, we had very little snow and lots of splitter blue sky. We had the ingredients for some fun, but not to get a very specific photoshoot accomplished. Together with Ben and Italian friend Andrea Gabrielli we headed for Switzerland’s Piz Bernina Group for a multi-day ski tour. Then the very day we skied out of the Bernina, we drove to the Ortler Group and skied straight into another hut to give it a go for a few days. More hardpack snow, blue sky and carved up lines, but amongst it all – some turns, some laughs and loads of great food.
Andrea Gabrielli skiing amongst crevasses in the Piz Bernina Group
Looking back to now it was, as has been our entire career, a phenomenal experience. Great memories, lessons learned, new friends and of course lots of photos. The dream job is indeed dreamy.
Follow us on Twitter to see what we do as we do it : @patitucciphoto
Posted in Photo Business, Photography, Travel
Also tagged Adventure Sports, Photography, Photoshoots, Travel, Travel Photography
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2011 Antholz Anterselva Ski Biathlon World Cup Photos
Today was the opening day of the Antholz/Anterselva Ski Biathlon World Cup here in the Sud Tirol. As it is just 30 minutes away, Janine and I headed over to catch the Men’s 10km Sprint. Congratulations to Russian Anton Shipulin for the win.
Full results at Antholz Biathlon World Cup
The crowd was loud, patriotic and smelled of Glühwein
Pretty sure this would get you a trip to Guantanamo Bay in the USA. I wonder if it could be taken as a carry on?
Posted in Photography, Skiing
Also tagged Competition, Italy, Nordic Skiing, Photography, Professional Sport
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2009 L'Eroica Photos
Simply put, I love bikes.
The culture of cycling is a large reason I have chosen to live in Italy, for the roots run deep and rich.
This past weekend we headed south to Tuscany to photograph the lifestyle around the 2009 L’Eroica. An event celebrating the culture of bike racing and all things that we humans have done with the bicycle. Ironically, in addition to the event I was able to also enjoy the town hosting it, Gaiole in Chianti, where I spent 6 months living on a ranch in 1997. What a joy to be able to play with photography, where I fell in love with photography.
For additional L’Eroica information, visit our DolomiteSport site’s similar page
Posted in Cycling, Life in Italy, Photography, Travel
Also tagged Bike Culture, Cycling, Italy, road biking, Tuscany
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Susie Sutphin Interview
Skiing corn beneath the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
A good friend of our’s from the US, Susie Sutphin, just stayed two weeks with us here in the Italian Dolomites. Together we pushed the limits of our legs and motivation, managing to ski every single day of her visit, 2 weeks solid. Included was Austria’s Silvretta Tour, a few days in the Zillertal Group, numerous days in the Dolomites, including three doubles where we skied during the day, finished at a hut, and then maximized our ski time by skiing out under fullmoon with a slight grappa buzz. The weather was at its absolute best behavior, favoring long days and lots of mileage.
Susie making tracks upward
Susie is the former Patagonia Athlete/Ambassador Coordinator from where we came to know her years ago, but now lives and works in Truckee, California for the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival. She is, simply put, one of the best telemark skiers around. Where people just should not be dropping their knee, she does, with grace and power at the same time. More than a few Austrians are likely singing songs about her right now. Susie’s primary goal in skiing is one thing, skiing steep, narrow, and mightily long couloirs.
This was Susie’s first visit to the Dolomites, I asked her some questions about the skiing.
I know what is coming, but what are your thoughts on the Dolomites?You have expectations from places, from the media, videos, etc… then what a place really is becomes focused when you arrive. The Dolomites are like the Eastern Sierra times 10. Turn everything up 10 notches and it is the skiing here. There are so many visible lines, so many things I look at and know I can go ski, the Dolomites are raining couloirs.
Here it is GO TIME. My skiing really improved in two weeks because the terrain required me to improve. Back home we have training grounds, then the Dolomites are the olympics. The Dolomites make you show what you’ve got.
And it is just so beautiful, the scale is massive, to be up high in the mountains at night and see the tiny villages shimmering below – fantastic.
Why the love of couloirs?
You always hear climbers describing being a part of nature when they climb. For me, being in a couloir, I feel connected to something so big, to actually be inside a mountain where not everyone can go is a great experience. And to stand on the top, looking in, seeing your ski tips sticking out above the drop, feels so good.
Explain the quote of the trip, “I love Europe”.
And not just for skiing, for everything. This trip was special, spending all my time with people who live here and not being just a tourist made it feel even better. Seeing how people live here, seeing my friends living here and how to make it happen, I love this.
What is your perception of Europe’s Mountain Culture?
The sports are just part of the culture, it is what you do. I heard a girl on the Silvretta Tour who was learning to ski in the mountains say, “I am from the Tirol, I must ski.”
And all the older people out?
Great, to be in the mountains, on a tour, arrive at a hut and there are 150 people inside of all ages, amazing. It is so inspiring and motivating. There is so much depth to the culture.
Would you return?
The question is “How do I come back forever?”
Finally, in your group of friends back in the US, is there an awareness of the Dolomites?
They think, “They’re somewhere in Italy, right?” That is it. They seem to be known for just climbing. For skiing, Chamonix and the Alps overshadow everything. But the Dolomites are the most varied, the location and proximity to other incredible areas, the Ortler, the Silvretta, Stubai, etc… And then the Dolomites themselves, if you love skiing couloirs and love just real skiing, go to the Dolomites.
Susie Sutphin dropping into the Holzer Couloir, note the ski line, straight down
Susie Super Psyched post Holzer Couloir
Skinning beneath the Tre Cime di Lavaredo
In the Silvretta
Posted in Dolomites, DolomiteSport, Profiles, Skiing
Also tagged Backcountry Skiing, Dolomites, Mountain Sports, Ski Touring, Telemark Skiing, Women
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The Silvretta Tour, part 1
Probably not your typical ski touring photo
Home. As good as Euro huts are, we still love to be home, and especially home eating a huge, fresh salad. Tomorrow morning’s breakfast will not include dry bread and jam. Those that have been on Euro ski tours will fully understand dry bread and jam. Janine and I fell sick on the last day, spent a feverish night in the Jamtal Hut and promptly descended to the valley first thing in the morning. Time for a quick recovery at home, and tomorrow, Janine’s Birthday will be spent closer to home than in a mountain hut.
6 days on the Silvretta – no bad weather, this is a first. The GPS stayed in the pack the whole time, lovely.
It was all about corn skiing, although thanks to our powder sniffing friend Susie Sutphin, we did manage to find some pockets of north facing fluff up high. Our great Italian friend Andreas Irsara’s quote sums up being on a trip with Susie, “Susie, you make me crazy for skiing.” This while he set out behind her as she kicked steps up yet another steep couloir.
This is part 1 of the Tour Blog, a full account will follow including a trip report for Austria’s Silvretta Tour (my second time on it and likely my favorite in Europe) as well as an interview with Lou Dawson of the famous backcountry ski website Wild Snow. We discovered Lou in the first night’s hut typing (blogging) on the smallest laptop I have ever seen. With Lou was the best selling author Ted Kerasote and together we were all lucky enough to get to spend time drinking beers and laughing about all the decadance of Euro backcountry life.
For now we leave you with some fun pics and the reminder that the Silvretta Tour is paradise for the backcountry skier. Lou Dawson also posted info at Wild Snow. Check back in here for a complete report on the tour.
Andreas Irsara and Susie Sutphin
Touring through a serac zone
Headed for the Piz Buin
Skier's Test: Find the line of choice
Susie Sutphin has clearly earned her turns
Topping out for another couloir
Ridge traversing, Silvretta Tour
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