Tag Archives: hiking
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, Europe, Photography, Photoshoots, Switzerland
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No Photos, just Words
Twenty years ago I did little more than climb; sport climb, trad climb and alpine climb. Like so many other climbers of my generation, Peter Croft was a hero. He was also, and still is, a friend. I vividly remember one morning we spent having coffee together at my house, he was telling me all about a morning he hiked in to climb a North Cascade peak. Alone in the pre-dawn with the smells, the sounds, and the anticipation of going climbing – things all climbers will understand. He recalled crossing some frozen snow where he banged his knuckles, causing them to bleed a bit. Details of the climb were skipped, instead he described seeing the little spots of red in the snow later that day and having his morning come back to him, realizing that he had passed through the environment in the darkness and that he had been a part of a much bigger picture.
Something made me think of that this morning as I hiked alone in the dark toward a climb in the Alps. I am fortunate, for well over twenty years now, the majority of my days have been spent in the mountains. Yet still, when the alarm wakes me in the middle of the night I often feel the same child-like excitement for what I will see, what I will experience, and for all the emotions of the coming day.
We are inundated with images and video, everything everyone does is broadcast with visuals. I am a part of this. Deeper than what we see are the feelings we have when we, as individuals, are actually doing what we love, passing through the environment and taking it all in. We must not forget to slow it all down and do something purely for the sake of what it gives us. And we must not forget that in addition to photos and video and all the impact that they can carry, there are words. Maybe they’re not as fun, and certainly slower paced, but perhaps they are the most important of all. Especially those words which run through our own head and remind us that yes, there is a much bigger picture through which we are passing.
And so this post is just words, I made no photos of my climb, I just thought about how wonderful it was to spend a morning alone in the big mountains.
Follow us as we run the Alta Via 1
We will be running/fast packing the Dolomites Alta Via 1 21 – 25 June. Likely to be Italy’s most spectacular trail, the course takes one through the heart of the Italian Dolomites, amongst the most famous peaks and along WWI historical areas.
Throughout the run, we will be Twittering photos, stories and info from the trail and are followable via the Twitter hashtag #dav1.
The DolomiteSport Twitter feed is: http://twitter.com/dolomitesport.
Photos and stories when we are back.
Hiking the Dolomites Alta Via 1
Posted in Dolomites, DolomiteSport, Trail Running
Also tagged Alta Via 1, Dolomites, Italy, Trail Running, Trekking
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DolomiteSport profiled by Backpacker Magazine
Exciting news for our DolomiteSport site, Backpacker Magazine has put a profile of our work and site on their website: Backpacker Magazine
This is ahead of their August issue sporting another of our photos from the Dolomites on the cover. We are super happy to be noticed by these guys!
Posted in Dolomites, DolomiteSport, Photo Business, Profiles
Also tagged backpacking, Dolomiten, Dolomites, Dolomiti, Mountain Sports
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Sardinia: Selvaggio Blu Trip Report
Touted as Italy’s most remote hike, the Selvaggio Blu on the island of Sardinia repeatedly came recommended. Finally, Nicholas over at Planet Mountain advised me to have a look at Marcello Cominetti’s Guide Star Mountain Site for photos, I did so, and was sold.
I contacted our great friend and prolific writer, Tim Neville, we discussed it, pitched the story around to some magazines, and a week later had ourselves an assignment. Marcello provided invaluable information for the article, so we opted to go along with him serving as Guide.
Beginning on the southeastern part of the island in a small village called Santa Maria Navarrese, the trek creeps along the towering limestone seacliffs above the Mediterranean. As you weave your way through forests, wander through limestone corridors, and pass by ancient shepherds shelters, the Mediterranean sea, azure and cool far below, awaits the evening’s descent to camp. The tagline “Most Remote” does indeed hold true. For the first time in my 8 years of trekking in Europe, I never once felt like I would run into anyone along the trail.
The same did not hold true for the beaches we descended to. While we would emerge from the land side of the beach, all the many sunbathers would arrive via boat. The beaches are isolated bits of paradise along what is actually a vertical coastline, access is by water only, unless of course you are working your way along the Selvaggio Blu.
Tim, Janine and I wandered along behind Marcello, listening to all the fascinating history of the area and Sardinia. Sardinia is part of Italy yet has its own and decidedly unique history due to its position as an island between Africa, Spain and Italy.
For our last night, we found ourselves in a cave 40 meters above the water perched in the wall of stone. Our food had been dropped off by boat and in our stash was a bottle of the local red wine. At this point, we realized that all four of us were “working”, and that our “work” was confirmed to be blissfull. We laughed well into the night.
The final day included several rappels and some easy climbing before we stumbled from the trees and straight onto yet another white beach with azure waters lapping the shoreline. That, and a bar with the local beer served ice cold.
Some friends once told us that after all their trips, they do a best of/worst of report. So, while the above is general info for the Selvaggio Blu, now it is time for a more personal report with the results mixed, you decide if it is best or worst of:
- Mosquitos in mass quantities one night, no protection, too hot to lay in sleeping bag. Marcello looking like Rocky Balboa
- The Euro beach scene
- Asino kisses
- Beers in the food drops
- Cell service in our cave
- The color azure
- 3 hours sleep in the car outside the Milano airport
Stay tuned for Tim’s slideshow, including compromising photos of Dan’s photography techniques. Also, a full gallery of some real photos from the trip.
Many Thanks to these outstanding hosts…
Guide Star Mountain: http://www.guidestarmountain.com
Rifugio Goloritze: http://www.coopgoloritze.com
Albergo Santa Maria: http://www.albergosantamaria.it
Posted in Friends, Photo Business, Photography, Random Thoughts, Travel
Also tagged backpacking, Sardinia, Selvaggio Blu, Travel
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