"Alpine start" refers to the early morning beginning to every climb. In the cold, frozen hours of darkness the ice conditions are firm and stable, making for fast climbing conditions and minimal avalanche danger. One of the biggest challenge climbers face is getting out of a warm sleeping bag at 1 a.m. and coming to grips with 5 hours of climbing in frigid temperatures with only a small headlight to light your way. Many climbers become demoralized in these frozen hours before daylight, only to abandon the climb and turn around before the warm sun breaths life and hope back into them and their summit ambitions.

Contax G2, 28mm Carl Zeiss Lens, Kodak Photo Journalist PJ400 film.