Words by Jill Young.
The 6th annual Arc’teryx Alpine Academy has come and gone, bringing 440 passionate mountain people from 25 countries together to the mountaineering mecca of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to learn, inspire and share knowledge about exploring wild spaces. We’ve pulled together a quick snapshot of some of our favourite shots in an attempt to share the excitement and energy surrounding the event. Check out the full photoset on our Facebook page.
Amongst the flurry of events, alpine & rock clinics, breathtaking scenery and a ski village full of character and history, it is next to impossible to put your camera away in an effort to capture every moment. Luckily, our team of six talented photographers were running around from dawn until dusk with their fingers on the trigger to capture every memorable scene from this year’s event.
“Moody skies on the MSR Overnight Bivy Course in the Mont-Blanc Massif.” Photo: Franz Walter
“It was great to get to share my local trails with enthusiastic trail runners from around the world. It’s fantastic to see people return year after year to learn new mountain skills and participate in all of the great alpine activities Chamonix has to offer.” – Stian Hagen, Arc’teryx Athlete. Photo: Angela Percival
The energy you feel in Chamonix from the dramatic mountains and the passionate mountain people is contagious. Photo: Franz Walter
The Alpine Academy kicked off with our annual Mountain Clean Up Day. This year we took the Montenvers up to the Mer de Glace with Academy participants and athletes to clean up garbage from the area. It’s good to give back to these mountains that give us so much in anyway we can. Photo: Franz Walter
The Mer de Glace. Photo: Hugo Vincent
The weather can change pretty quickly in Chamonix, but if you packed GORE-TEX and love being in the mountains as much as Will Gadd… it’s a good time rain or shine. Photo: Franz Walter
The Grade 7A+ Rock Climbing Techniques clinic led by Paul Mcsorely. Photo: Franz Walter
Guiding with style. We’ll be keeping this trick in our back pocket. Photo: Hugo Vincent
Walking down the arete from the Aiguille du Midi to the Vallee Blanche. Photo: Hugo Vincent
Heading out on a mountaineering clinic off of the Aiguille du Midi. Photo: Hugo Vincent
Learning from the best is the best. Arc’teryx athlete Luka Lindic knows a few things about being in the mountains and is stoked to share his experience. Photo: Piotr Drozdz.
One giant classroom. Photo: Piotr Drozdz.
Dream team. Photo: Johannes Stroebel
Thank you to all of this year’s participants, partners, mountain guides, athletes, volunteers and the entire town of Chamonix for making this year’s Arc’teryx Alpine Academy such a great event. See you next year, Chamonix!
Photographers:
Franz Walter