Mt Rose from Mt White, a photo from Rhone Alpes, South

Photographer's Note

A view from the Mt Blanc Panoramic cable car that runs from Aiguille du Midi to Pointe Hellbronner on the France-Italy border. In the background is the icy massif of Monte Rosa (the highest mountain in Switzerland at 4634 m), which is 76 km away.

The mountains of the Mt Blanc Range seem to have more rock spires and needles than any other part of the Alps. In the foreground are some of these crazy rock needles.

A little story: the day after we took this ride, there was a malfunction of the cables and the cars could not move. 110 people were stuck in the cars. Most were rescued by helicopter, but 33 remained when darkness and fog came over the area, and the rescue had to be stopped for the night. These people had to spend the night in their little plastic bubbles, dangling 100 metres above the glacier at 3500 m altitude, cold and hungry. They were all rescued the next morning, with no injuries.

We knew nothing about this when, the next morning, we caught another cable car to the Grands Montets (oddly enough, this was destroyed by fire 2 years later), although the night before I did wonder why there were helicopters flying about the Aiguille du Midi. The people stranded in the cable cars were unlucky, but came back with a great story to tell!

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pajaran, COSTANTINO, papagolf21, Royaldevon, PaulVDV, kasianowak, jhm, alvaraalto, ChrisJ, adramad, ricardomattos, macjake, ikeharel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emka (157280) 2020-10-25 23:51

Hello Vincent, It was something to tell after but I wouldn't like to spend the night in the car. But luckily for those people stuck, all ended well. Fantastic view of these many spires.
Amusing title. Spectacular composition.

Best regards Malgo

COSTANTINO (115451) 2020-10-25 23:57

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
wow!!!spectacular view from the
Mt Blanc Panoramic cable car...
i like these impressive high peaks
of the rocks and the snow tops
of the high mountains in the background...
welldone
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (146206) 2020-10-25 23:58

Hi Vincent,
Great panoramic view with this strange and beautiful mountain landscape. Nice Fg with these peaks and also very nice snow covered summits in the Bg, lovely sunlight well captured,good contrast, I like a lot, tfs.

papagolf21 (152605) 2020-10-26 0:45

Bonjour, cher Vincent,
Voilа une composition qui fait plaisir а contempler tant la beautй est manifeste.
L'effet de relief est saisissant.
Une composition trиs rйussie.
Amitiйs.
Philippe

holmertz (101930) 2020-10-26 1:51

Hello Vincent,
The dark peaks closest to us are very strangely shaped. They look like they were designed by a Hollywood producer of fantasy movies. The white peaks in the distant provide a fascinating contrast. The story in the note is just as fascinating. I wouldn't have liked to experience that night. I like the clarity and sharpness of this photo.
Regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (220495) 2020-10-26 2:57

Ciao Vincent, dascinating landscape with fantastic mountains, splendid ligh, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (85606) 2020-10-26 3:12

Hello Vincent,

I wonder if the people would have chosen to have this scary story in their repertoire or missed it altogether, given the choice!
When you look at the details of these extraordinary mountain peaks, sheer and inhospitable, you can begin to understand the terror of the being isolated above them, in the cold and the mist!
It's a very sharp, well presented photograph, with an equally interesting note.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

PaulVDV (62770) 2020-10-26 6:27

Hello Vince,
I've never seen a picture taken at this point of view before. I would certainly remember the sharp rock needles.
They do look like remaining towers of a ruined castle. But who could ever have built a castle or fortress on that spot.
I find these natural needles something of an exceptional beauty.
The snowcapped peaks make a wonderful backdrop.
Fortunately, you did not have to spend a night in one of those small cable cars. It will just happen to you that you're locked in there with someone getting hysterical ... I dare not think about it.
Best regards, Paul

kasianowak (17672) 2020-10-26 7:58

Hi Vincent
Beautifully taken photo, the pointed rocks in the foreground make for a great background for the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Quite a story, cold, hungry and no toilet! I think the ones rescued before the nightfall really appreciated their luck. :-)
Best wishes
Kasia

dta (98848) 2020-10-26 8:23

Hello Vincent,
Fantastic view of these dark granitic needles , with the Mont Rose in the BG.
Regards

jhm (211734) 2020-10-26 11:12

Hello Vincent,

What a nice mountain picture with the dark rocks in foreground, also the snowy mountain peaks are fantastic.
Nice detailed, sharp and clear presentation.
Your picture is excellent taken.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

lousat (138551) 2020-10-26 12:14

Salut Vincent,Je peu voir tres bien le Mt.Rose depuis mon village quand l'air est claire,et c'est jolie voir l'autre face de ce mont depuis cette perspective geniale,une capture magnifique tres bien detaillee' et exposee'! Belle soiree' et merci,Luciano

Tue (91488) 2020-10-26 12:43

Hello Vincent,
A spectacular mountain landscape. I really like the contrast between the dark and rocky peaks in the foreground and the snowy summits in the distance. This is nicely emphasised by the bright sunshine. Great work.
Lars

ifege (46851) 2020-10-26 20:38

Hi Vince
Another spectacular one with the unusual rocky spire - looks like a Gaudi cathedral.
Great depth in the photo separating the 2 main parts of the photo.
cheers
Ian

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-10-28 3:30

Hello Vincent,
I remember the new item about this cable car getting stuck and the occupant with helicopters being rescued.
When I was in Chamonix a long time ago we couldn't take this spectacular cable car to the top of the Aiguille du Midi because it was out of business and that's why I missed this spectacular sight on these sharp alpine peaks.
Excellent work
Have a nice day, groet Rob

jmdias (114196) 2020-10-28 10:51

vincent

I took this cable car to aiguille du midi with my family many decades ago. my brother wanted to see snow and it was summer and we took it almost alone. but the peaks around were covered with mist and we couldn't see nothing. marvelous this view with the needles of rock in evidence the the snowy peak ahead. nice note. I guess people who stayed there at night hadn't a good memorie of that night.

take care

jorge

ChrisJ (171146) 2020-10-29 18:21

Hello Vincent,

Excellent depth and layering with the fg rocky pinnacles, the snowcapped mountains and the backdrop of blue sky. Good sharpness too. Tfs!

adramad (72532) 2020-10-31 12:14

Hi Vincent.
Impressive composition with these very high peaks, an ideal contrast to the first line of them, finished in pointed peaks, with which we see the snow-covered peaks in the background.
Very effective coloring, which highlights the details of the image.
Very well done. I like it.
Enjoy the weekend.
My best wishes for you.
Luis

ricardomattos (17368) 2020-11-01 3:58

Hi Vincent

Another fantastic view here with those black needles . I likede the layers here until the blue sky. Fine presentation.

Best regards

Ricardo

mkamionka (73256) 2020-11-14 1:22

Hi Vincent,
spectacular view, which I have never seen before.
This group of extraordinary rock formation makes a pleasant layer while the snow covered peaks another one.
The story in your note is quite interesting, I wanted to say amusing but I suppose it depends whether you are stuck in there or watch it from the hotel room.
Excellent work!!
M

macjake (98260) 2020-11-17 20:48

Hi Vincent
wow, what a story! I don't remember hearing about this in the news back then. wow. and yes, I wonder what they did for bathroom breaks...I guess the doors couldn't open, maybe the men could pee out the windows? probably not. What did they do? I need to research this! haha. Wonderful shot here my friend, easy to see why so many TE members have been liking it as well. One of your best shots, so clear, and I love the FG BG separation. cheers
Craig

ikeharel (112395) 2020-11-24 5:26

Hello Vincent,
Fabulous sight of the jugged rocks summits and the snow-covered Mt.-Rosa on the far side.
Superior contrasting earth formation and (naturally) contrast of colors.
FGood evening,
Ike

*** Thanks for pointing out the ridge on my latest photo, made a correction to the note.