Les Drus

I took this photograph of the Aigulles du Dru (Dru peaks) on a hike in Chamonix, France in the summer of 2023. The Grand Dru is 3,754 meters (12,316 feet) and the Petit Dru is 3,733 meters (12247 feet)! 

Someone I loved reading about in the history of Les Drus is an alpinist named Katharine Richardson, who in 1889, was in the first group to attempt climbing both peaks! About her:

"Richardson was known for her speed and athleticism; she set numerous records for speed and endurance, which Ronald Clark notes "discomfited many male climbers". One of her guides commented, "She does not sleep, she doesn't eat and she walks like the devil." She was also known for wearing a skirt on all of her expeditions, even when her partner Paillon wore breeches."

More about Les Drus, by Alberto Rampini: 

"In Europe and especially in France and Italy the Aiguilles du Dru are a kind of legend due to their stunning beauty, their importance in the mountaineering history and the plentitude of severe routes on their walls. Les Drus are predominantly a rocky mountain, but there is a very serious ice route on them as well.

The name of the Petit Dru is strongly linked to that of the great Walter Bonatti who completed the first ascent of the formidable SW pillar, that since then took the name of Pilier Bonatti. Between 17-22 August 1955 Walter Bonatti solo climbing opens a new route on the South-West pillar in six days, 600 m / TD +, A1. This route has been one of the greatest exploits in the history of mountaineering."

The print is made on a master's edition, archival museum-quality paper and is ready for you to frame!

Product Features:

• Sustainably created through Gelato.
• The paper and frame are FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) or equivalent depending on regional availability. 
• Pine frame
• Matte paper is uncoated and natural white (off-white). The 250 gsm/ 110lb paper is perfect for fine art, designed to last for years without losing its original beauty.
• Print is delivered within the frame, ready to be hung directly on the wall.  Hanging hardware is included.
• Shatterproof, transparent plexiglass protects the print from damage.
• With alkaline papermaking technology, this print is acid-free, meaning the pH of the pulp that is used to form the paper is above 7 (neutral). The paper is also buffered with an alkaline reserve, such as calcium carbonate, to neutralize acid compounds absorbed from the atmosphere or formed through natural aging. This ensures that your poster will last many years without any yellowing or discoloration.
  
• The print is free from or low in OBA (optical brightener additives). This ensures that the natural white color of the paper remains consistent under different lighting conditions. In contrast, the color of papers that contain optical brighteners can shift depending on the light source. Additionally, the color of OBA-free paper remains more consistent over time, so you can enjoy the poster for years without any shifts.

About the photograph:

July 27, 2023

Shot on Nikon Z7ii

ƒ/6.31/32050mmISO100