Mountaineering Photo-Tour Castore peak 4226m

Mirko Sotgiu

The Castore is an easy peak in normal weather conditions, the long final ridge is a balcony on all the peaks of the Monte Rosa massif. The central position of this peak allows you to look the Cervino, Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, Gran Combin, Bernese Alps.

We recommend a minimum of acclimatization at intermediate altitudes before doing the workshop, it is a two-stage climb, a first-day excursion and a high-altitude one the second.

Monte Rosa – Gressoney

Duration: Two days with accomodation in mountain hut over 3500m
Photo level: High
Mountaineering level: medium
Mountaineering: F+

Day by Day:

Day 1:
Meeting at 9.30 am at the cable car square in Staffal short briefing. Ascent to Colle Bettaforca 2800m and beginning of the hiking ascent, we will stop at the most interesting points, the first part of the course includes digital / film exposure techniques, tricks in the high mountains, composition, choice of objectives, use of flash in fill-in . The climb offers very wide views, the flora that we will encounter along the way is the one that first colonizes the areas left by glaciers such as the Linarea alpina and the lichens. Arrival at the Quintino Sella refuge 3585m, accommodation, briefing, tricks on how to prepare the backpack, photograph of the glacial moraine and sunset. After-dinner photography at night. Uphill elevation: 1400 m Journey time: 4/4: 30h (times are very cautious with breaks but do not include photographic breaks) Difficulty: EE

Day 2:
Departure early in the morning, before the sun rise, the ropes along the glacier will create interesting light patterns, once ready we will travel the glacier to the Felik hill from where we will be able to photograph the sunrise with a view of the Lyskamm and the Felik glacier, the summit of the Castor and its crest. Attend photographically, you will be advised, tricks, how to exhibit and compose, filters and camera settings so as not to miss the spectacle of the twilight at high altitudes. Once the sun has risen we will continue the climb dedicating ourselves to mountaineering reportage, tricks to photograph on the ridge / summit safely without losing creative perspectives. Return by the ascent route. Both the descent and the ascent include breaks to photograph which will be chosen by the photographer / guide at the most interesting moments and places. Return to the Q.Sella refuge, de-briefing, rest break, return to Gressoney per evening Departure altitude: 3585 m Ref Q.Sella Arrival altitude: 4221 m Height difference: 636 m uphill and downhill + descent from the hut with another 649 m ) Times: 4h for the climb (considering photographic breaks) Difficulty: F + (mountaineering).

Focus of workshop:

Mountaineering reportage
Sunset and sunrise photography

MASTERS

MIRKO SOTGIU

Professional photographer specialized in mountain environments. Mountaineer and journalist filmmaker, he has worked with the major travel and mountain magazines since 1997. He has expeditions, documentaries and books on biodiversity and nature. He deals with outdoor photography. site: www.alpinfoto.it