FROM THE CITY INTO THE MOUNTAINS

I grew up in a big city, exactly 1 metre below sea level. My adventure in Switzerland began 5 years ago. I had never set foot on a high mountain before. Of course, as true Dutchmen, we had travelled in the mountains by car and tent in the summer. But away from the usual hiking trails, everything was new to me.

We had also been skiing a few times, but never in deep snow. I had never heard of ski touring before.
In the first winter, after a day on the beginners' piste, we ventured straight into the big ski area and just one day later we went on our first ski tour. A whole new world opened up for me. Walking uphill somewhere in the middle of nowhere, no other people around, at one with nature. Once we had safely reached the bottom again, it was time for a bit more of a challenge.

Piz Palü
Piz Palü, 3905 metres high, a glacier crossing, connected by ropes. What an adventure as a ‘newcomer’ to mountain sports. I learnt so many new techniques and safety measures. And all this between crevasses as high as houses, where you seem tiny as a human being.



Once we reached the top, we naturally had to get back down again. The almost 2000 metre descent was magical. My thighs were burning at the bottom, as was my heart, but my heart was burning with happiness and passion for this sport. The euphoria on the summit, overcoming your own physical limits, the teamwork to reach the goal together, the physical and mental testing of your own limits, pushing your limits and then going beyond them.



The first steps into this world not only changed my geographical perspective, but also ignited a passion in me that has driven me ever since.

As winter gradually gave way to summer…
…I packed away my skis and embarked on a new adventure: paragliding. The feeling of being carried off the ground and floating through the air for the first time is something quite surreal. I manoeuvred through the air between clouds, looking over the highest peaks in Switzerland. After a while, I swapped the large glider for a lightweight harness and a small glider that fits easily into a small rucksack. Now the adventure could really begin. Climbing the mountains and then flying down from the high peaks. An ‘infinity moment’ in which all the great sports came together.