Dawn at the Matterhorn

It was early June when I hiked the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt through the European Alps. In my opinion, it’s the perfect time of year: the days are long, the weather is generally good, and there is still plenty of snow on the mountain passes.

The snow makes for a more challenging trek, but above all, it keeps most other hikers away. The mountain huts are still closed, and I would often go most of the day without seeing another person.

On the final night of the 12-day trek, I came down from Pfulwe Pass with the Matterhorn lying directly in front of me. Instead of hiking all the way down as planned, I decided to camp not far below the pass with this incredible view of the mountain.

The next morning was one of the coldest of the entire trip. Getting out of my sleeping bag at 5:30 a.m., well before sunrise, wasn’t easy, but looking back, it was absolutely worth it. In the soft light before sunrise, with the Matterhorn rising above the landscape in front of me, I took this photo.

It remains my favorite photo I’ve ever taken of the Matterhorn.