See in the dark
Walking around at night reveals other senses. We then learn to see in the dark.
Sit back and observe
More common during the day, sitting back and obsering can also be done during the night. One observes differently, with the other senses, like hearing.
Melt at night
Summer being there already, the snow has not completely melted yet in the heights. Its slow melt feeds mountain streams. And Belledonne is nothing else than water.
Me and the Milky Way
The small guy in the picture who desperately tries to illuminate the Milky Way, it’s me.
Crescent moon above Belledonne
A crescent moon was rising up above Belledonne. Meanwhile the summits of Belledonne and Chartreuse were overlooking the sea of clouds.
Milkyway above the Lac de la Croix
On a moonless night, snow helps to brighten the scene. Both the mountains and the milkyway can be admired.
Belledonne wandering
I like walking during the night in the light of my headlamp and, sometimes, in the light alone of the moon.
Circumpolar above the Aiguille Dibona
The Aiguille Dibona 3,130 m (10,270 ft) is a summit of the Massif des Écrins. Despite its singular shape, it is popular for the many routes to reach its summit. Good climbers would choose the Visite Obligatoire one.
On the Pic Saint-Michel slopes
The daylight lowering, it is time to turn on the headlamp. The summit is not that far hopefully. What a pleasure to walk into this atmosphere!
I am not alone
More and more of our fellows visit these mountains. Alone not very long ago, I am escorted today except if I get lost into the most remote areas.
The master of the place
Despite he is used to the spectacle of the falling night, he adores it, and he takes to.
My base camp
Tonight, this is very comfortable, the tarp is out, the food is hot, gloves remain in the backpack.
Late thawing
Thanks to a late thawing, ice blocks were still floating in the Lac de l'Âne. Many stars were sparkling into the dark night. The nightscape was gorgeous.
Starry night in the Cerces
The night was becoming darker and darker making stars sparkling in the skies. Vaporous clouds were breaking up letting sharp peaks appear.
An instant with me
I am often asked what is going on behind the scenes. Actually it is nothing more than ordinary. Here, a hot meal in a cold autumn night.
Nocturnal contemplation
Nocturnal contemplation before reaching my rough camp. I don't know yet, but tomorrow everything will be frozen.
Night-time self-portrait
Can one imagine how much windy was this night ? Yet, without this strong wind, such an atmosphere would not have been possible. The clouds would not have hidden the moon. The beam of the headlamp would not have been visible.
Moonrise
Only few seconds remain before the moon, hidden behind the mountains, illumates the whole landscape.
The Milky Way from North to South
The Milky Way crosses the skies from North to South. Were campers around the Lac Noir watching it ? I believe that only few of them were. People are usually not attracted by the magic of Nature.
Vercors at night
Few minutes before the sunrise, the skies full of Cirrus took a magenta colour. An incredible sunrise was then expected.
The Lac Fourchu
In the spring, if you are lucky, you can see the Milky Way rising up above the Taillefer and reflecting into the still waters of the Lac Fourchu.
A tent at night
When the moon is full, the Plateau d'Emparis is a perfect spot for a bivy. Despite of the night, one can enjoy scenic moutain views.
The Milky Way and a shooting star
Above the Pic de l’Étendard, close to the Milky Way, a shy shooting star crossed the skies. Wow was the only word I could deliver.
Nightscape in the Dévoluy
From left to right, one might recognize 3 famous summits of the Dévoluy: the Tête des Ormans, Tête de Garnesier and Roc de Garnesier. It is so rare not to get windy conditions in the Dévoluy that we had no other choice than to enjoy it.
Night-time skiing in Chamrousse
In the background, as night falls, the Grandes Rousses seem to peer the Chamrousse ski slopes which are going to welcome night skiers.
The Aiguilles de l'Argentière at night
Without any luminous pollution, the night is deep dark inside Belledonne. With fresh snow, the Aiguilles de l'Argentières can only be seen by those who take time to.