Strahlhorn (centre left), Rimpfischhorn and Allalinhorn far right
Mountain walking is not always about the objective; there are days when one just wants to walk and soak up the landscape, listen to the quietness, and be at peace.
Takehide Kazami – Japanese author, climber, and photographer wrote way back in 1960: ‘you don’t have to climb a mountain to experience the beauty of the country. There is something indescribably delightful in just wandering around the countryside with a small party, the great mountains towering above you’. He was actually writing about Nepal, but what he says is equally true of any high mountain area.
This viewpoint is close to the Britannia Hut in the Swiss Alps, a place I have walked to on many occasions – alone, with other climbers, and with my wife and children. And I’ve sat on this exact spot too, more than once. A colour version of this image appeared in a previous post ‘The Britannia Hut’. Very recently thumbing through the archives I thought it would make a good B&W image.
LensScaper 
It certainly makes a good black and white image Andy! I like the quote very much. Particularly apt for me as I can’t go hiking up the steeper paths. I’ll stay back, finding my shot and my friend will go chasing up the track, come back and show me what I missed and more often than not, I didn’t miss anything. The better shot was from the easier path.
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When we go at a slower pace we take more notice of our surroundings. And as I have said before there is a lot of benefit of being on one’s own and not subject to the pace or objectives of anyone else. Thanks for your comment, Adrian
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Great black and white image.
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Thanks, Norma. High mountain landscapes always seem to convert well to B&W – there is so often an inherent contrast between snow and dark rock which of course is exactly what I love about the B&W medium.
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Yes me too. I love that effect 🙂
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Glad you do, Norma, and thanks
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A wonderful conversion to monochrome, Andy
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Thanks Sue. I don’t have to work hard on these – the contrast is already there.
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The contrast is great, and really brings out the silhouettes. The photo is so peaceful feeling and yet vast at the same time. I like it!
Have a good one!
Emma
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Many thanks Emma. That’s the joy of being up high – the vistas are vast and there is not a sound to be heard. A place for quiet contemplation.
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Have been there too but sadly saw only mist and sleet before sheltering in a cave! Love the picture – has the feel of the early era of alpinism…
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I too have been there too in thick mist and not seen a thing! B&W really does evoke the past – I suspect you like me grew up with the black and white images of the Alps and that is still how I like to see them – they have a more raw feel to them – and they feel timeless.
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What a great photo Andy…just taking it easy and admiring the view…perfect!
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Nothing better than just taking it easy on a good day. Thanks James
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A well-deserved rest in an incredibly beautiful place. Nicely captured, Andy.
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Thanks so much Scott. I’m sure you will have had many such experiences in the vastness of the landscapes near you
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You’re welcome, Andy….and I don’t know that the vistas in my future will be as grand as these, but I will certainly be out there participating in whatever landscapes I can. 🙂
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This may be my favorite of your mountain photos to date. I like the combination of elements: the smooth rock in the foreground, the curves inherent in the valley, the angularity of the peaks, and of course those wispy little clouds.
What’s especially interesting to me is that the landscape doesn’t at all seem to overwhelm the hikers. Sometimes, the sheer massiveness of the mountains makes people appear to be small, and interlopers. But these fellows fit: perfectly at home.
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It’s such a pleasure to hear your comments, Linda, because you always provide a new insight into an image. This was a very spontaneous image. I was shooting the view with the seated hiker on the left and the man on the right came into view. I think he stopped, trying not to intrude into the shot, not realizing he was already in the frame. I tend not to like figures in landscapes – they are often a distraction. But up high they very often serve a particular purpose. In this case they were there as observers like me of the beauty of this place.
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This is a stunning photo Andy. The ruggedness of the mountain with the human element is perfect.
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Thanks Len
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