Alex Metcalfe

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Photo Stories #7: Night-time on the Stockhorn

In alpine climbing, the emphasis is to move, move, move.⠀

Time is against you, you've got to beat the midday sun and get down that glacier before everything starts to melt.⠀

Your mind and focus narrow down to singular actions; sling that flake, keep the rope tight, don't drop your ice axe!⠀

There aren't many chances to stop, sit down and drink in the incredible surroundings you're climbing in.⠀

When nighttime comes, she tells a different story. The pace slackens and the noise fades.⠀

That's probably why, on my final climb in Switzerland this Summer, sat above the Stockhorn biwak hut under a clear night sky and smoking a cigarette with my friend Kyle, I didn't really feel like going to bed.⠀
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Valais Alps. Switzerland 🇨🇭


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