The Ridge

The fine art photographic print "The Ridge" by Norwegian photographer and adventurer Tormod Granheim, signed and numbered in a limited edition. The art print is available in three different sizes, printed on Hahnemühle Baryta Fine Art 325 gsm high gloss art paper.

Edition and size:
160 x 110 cm - 4 copies in edition.
110 x 75 cm - 8 copies in edition.

Framing:
The art prints are delivered ready framed with a black frame and art glass, without a passe-partout. Send us an email at post@m35.no or add a comment when ordering if you would like a different type of framing for "The Ridge."

Background:
Among climbers, Chamonix is known for its fantastic, often reddish, granite. The structures in the rock, often called crystals, are large but not too rough. The rock is solid compared to much of the other rock the Alps are built of – but not so solid that it isn't dependent on permafrost to remain glued together.

If you are only going to climb one alpine climbing route, the obvious choice for many is the ridge in the picture: Arête des Cosmiques. The effort is simply disproportionate to the experience, as most of the vertical meters here are free, thanks to the Aiguille du Midi cable car. The fact that the route tops out at the aforementioned cable car makes everything so much easier; there’s no challenge getting down after the climb, assuming you catch the last cable car and that wind or other challenges haven't closed the lift, of course.

The experience is first-class. The approach starts directly out the east ridge of Aiguille du Midi, a ridge so sharp that it is fenced off during the ski season – and yet most skiers choose to rope up and move as a team within the fences! Once on the route, you climb with Mont Blanc's mighty north face at your back, a few hundred meters of drop on your right side, and about 2800 vertical meters below you if you cast your gaze all the way down to Chamonix's valley floor.

This accessibility created persistent problems for me; my wish was to portray this fantastic ridge from its best side. Thus, I was entirely dependent on fresh snow, which could dress the mountain in its most beautiful attire. It's easier to take beautiful pictures if there is something beautiful in front of the lens.