
Nordend
In the imposing shadow of the Dufourspitze, Nordend (4,608 m) rises like a discreet giant of the Monte Rosa massif. Switzerland's second-highest summit , it nonetheless offers a singular majesty: its snow-covered ridges and steep slopes sketch out a rare alpine architecture, where light chisels ice and rock in silent dialogue. Few crowds, few routes taken: this is a summit that has to be earned, revealing to the patient mountaineer all the raw power of an unspoilt nature.
For Thomas Crauwelsfor Thomas Crauwels, photographing the Nordend means exploring what's behind the scenes. Here, the essence of the high mountains is expressed in the calm of suspended glaciers and the verticality of secret couloirs. Each expedition becomes a quest for rare moments, where fog gives way to sunlight, and shadow reveals a striking contrast on immaculate flanks. Through his photographs, Thomas invites us to discover the hidden soul of Mount Rose, to feel the intensity of a place still protected from human frenzy.
Far from the prestige often associated with more high-profile summits , Nordend welcomes those who dare to venture off the beaten track. Its wild character makes it an invitation to surpass oneself, but above all to contemplate. Under the lens of Thomas Crauwelsthe Nordend becomes a messenger of Alpine authenticity: a silent colossus standing proudly above the valleys, a reminder of the timeless beauty of the Swiss Alps.