2015 Alps Summer Photo Summary

Everyone in the Alps was a little on edge at the beginning of summer. No one wanted a repeat of 2014 – a summer we will all remember for 8 weeks of nearly ceaseless rain. The summer of 2015 would be the extreme opposite; record dry, record heat. In all its sunny glory, the weather allowed us to stay in the mountains for weeks, months even, on end. Friends came and went, mountains got climbed, projects accomplished, and skin burnt. While the glaciers certainly didn’t enjoy the conditions, we sure did.

For Janine and I, it was our 15th summer in the Alps! Thankfully, because it was so good, it will be a summer we’ll never forget. These are some of our personal favorite memories and photos.

Two women running mountain trails from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland

Susanne Plugge and Janine running mountain trails from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg, in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland.

A hiker plays in the snow with a sleeping pad along the shores of a high alpine lake, Switzerland

Going to the beach, Swiss style.

Seriously, there I was in a snow cave with a bunch of sheep… I guess with all that wool, and the temps we had, you’d seek natural refrigeration too.

Janine enjoying the last light on the Bietschhorn, Lötschental, Switzerland

Peak 41 of Ueli Steck’s 82 Summit project. Together we climbed the Zinalrothorn above Zermatt which marked the halfway point of his goal of all 82 4000 meter peaks done entirely under his own power. He ended up doing all 82 in 61 days. Astonishing.

Our great friend Simon Duverney climbing a unique, freestanding boulder in the Pierra Menta, France. At the very last minute, Simon called and invited us to join him for the day. We knew about this boulder, literally jumped in the car, and drove five hours. It was well worth it.

Simon Duverney and Mathis Dumas at a Chamonix bivy the night before climbing the Aiguille du Moine’s South Ridge Integral.

Golden light, good friends, big mountains. Perfect.

Simon Duverney climbing the Aiguille du Moine’s South Ridge Integral, D. A long alpine rock ridge in Chamonix, France.

Occasionally life meets your very highest expectations.

Simon Duverney trail running along the Bossons Glacier, beneath the Aiguille du Midi and Mont Blanc. Chamonix, France.

Krissy Moehl running the Hardergrat, a 25km ridge traverse from Interlaken to Brienz, Switzerland. We started running from our house at 3 a.m. to get this shot at sunrise – it was well worth it. Krissy went on to finish the ridge solo and called it the very best experience she has ever had alone in the mountains.

So much of what Janine and I photograph is often just the two of us, on our trips, having our own days out. We ran one of our favorite trails in Switzerland again this year, high above the Aletschgletscher, the Alps largest glacier and UNESCO site. Bettmeralp, Switzerland

It’s not all about mountain sports, but the things you see along the way. Our timing was perfect as we passed this Alp and a young farmer moving the morning’s cheese into the aging room. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.