https://ps-photo.net Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer Sun, 27 Jul 2025 19:49:47 +0000 https://ps-photo.net en https://ps-photo.net/Portfolio Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:02:55 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Portfolio Peter Schön Ski Alpinist, Ski Guide, Photographer&nbsp; https://ps-photo.net/About Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:38:38 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/About About <img width="1600" height="1200" width_o="1600" height_o="1200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/af931822a233e56b877cb7cd50e42a4fb886dedf8ad2e113e5e35522b37d853b/DSCF0871.jpeg" data-mid="236314973" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/af931822a233e56b877cb7cd50e42a4fb886dedf8ad2e113e5e35522b37d853b/DSCF0871.jpeg" /> <img width="982" height="650" width_o="982" height_o="650" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/811c2fa653c3ee21236f05dcbb005d105ce4739736f2444b661913c0eed861c5/38_o.jpg" data-mid="205114471" border="0" alt="On Pik Pobeda East (6762 m)" data-caption="On Pik Pobeda East (6762 m)" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/982/i/811c2fa653c3ee21236f05dcbb005d105ce4739736f2444b661913c0eed861c5/38_o.jpg" /> I am a photographer based in Trondheim/Norway &amp; Tbilisi/Georgia. My passion for photography started in the mountains, during several first ski descents of 5000-6000 m peak in the Andes, Pamir, Tien Shan and South Caucasus. Later, I ventured into documentary photography, with several portfolios about refugees and internally displaced people (IDP) in the South Caucasus. I have published in several renowned photography, alpinism and skiing magazines, and won four Black &amp; White Magazine Merit Awards. I hold an Ph.D. in architecture and work as postdoctoral researcher (transportation sciences) at NTNU Trondheim. I also work as certified ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) Ski Guide, SVELAV avalanche instructor, and CAA Level 3 avalanche technician&nbsp;(&gt;&gt;ps-skiguide.no) 1st ski descents (selection): Pik Pobeda East (6762 m) NE ridge, Tian Shan (&gt;&gt; AAJ article) Lap Nazar (5990 m), Pamir (&gt;&gt; AAJ Article) Shipka Pik (6254 m), Pamir Chatyn-Tau (4310 m), South SE couloir and W face (&gt;&gt; Mountain Life) Skhhara* (5193 m) south pillar (partial), Caucasus. Janga Tau* (5058 m) south face, Caucasus. Ortveri (4365 m) north face, Caucasus.&nbsp; Mkinvartsveri* (Kazbek, 5054 m), Caucasus: SE face direct, NE face, E ramp.&nbsp;Gear&nbsp;I have used a mix of analog and digital cameras. The majority of photos on this website were taken with a Contax T3 (that I saldly lost). For recent work I also used a 1st gen Leica Monochrom and Contax T. Currently, I use only a Ricoh GRIIIx. Contact peter@ps-photo.net https://ps-photo.net/Mkinvartsveri-5054-m-Caucasus Sun, 04 Dec 2022 21:41:18 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Mkinvartsveri-5054-m-Caucasus Mkinvartsveri | Kazbek (5054 m) First Ski Descents and the Road of Dreams <img width="1600" height="1067" width_o="1600" height_o="1067" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2f9ad7653d404f11484b724826304d0a6158b7381fcfd5e15a53b747b6ab9170/schoen_008-Edit.jpg" data-mid="160981932" border="0" alt="Storm on Mkinvartsveri. April 2006.Published in Alpinist Magazine Issue 37" data-caption="Storm on Mkinvartsveri. April 2006.&lt;br&gt;Published in Alpinist Magazine Issue 37" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2f9ad7653d404f11484b724826304d0a6158b7381fcfd5e15a53b747b6ab9170/schoen_008-Edit.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1094" width_o="1600" height_o="1094" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/14a38535f7f8ad41d12ce2ea584c68eab6e4a3db58a9a9b04e46900b90cea17c/1_-Bearbeitet.jpg" data-mid="160981924" border="0" alt="On the remote NE side of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5054m), prior to making the first ski descent of the N-NE face (45&deg;+). May 2013." data-caption="On the remote NE side of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5054m), prior to making the first ski descent of the N-NE face (45°+). May 2013." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/14a38535f7f8ad41d12ce2ea584c68eab6e4a3db58a9a9b04e46900b90cea17c/1_-Bearbeitet.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1089" width_o="1600" height_o="1089" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7dd0e0f2b290825f28f0172854ab59a5748f497f1e53316ac6c5a21673b8bb06/2_-Bearbeitet-Bearbeitet-1.jpg" data-mid="160981930" border="0" alt="Mountain Portrait of Trevor Hunt, Canadian steep skiing legend. Chatyn-Tau W (4310m). May 2013." data-caption="Mountain Portrait of Trevor Hunt, Canadian steep skiing legend. Chatyn-Tau W (4310m). May 2013." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7dd0e0f2b290825f28f0172854ab59a5748f497f1e53316ac6c5a21673b8bb06/2_-Bearbeitet-Bearbeitet-1.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1291" width_o="1920" height_o="1291" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ad0732d56f36b42f0347ca6122afc97156764a028c4b68d3efc0d0f8428fdada/Trevor_Mkinvartsveri_NE.jpg" data-mid="160981938" border="0" alt="On the remote NE side of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5054m). May 2013." data-caption="On the remote NE side of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5054m). May 2013." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ad0732d56f36b42f0347ca6122afc97156764a028c4b68d3efc0d0f8428fdada/Trevor_Mkinvartsveri_NE.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1094" width_o="1600" height_o="1094" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d2abce1ec68002293bd7385b04eb6193fab4a3b4601bc3d75825e6200748926d/3_-Bearbeitet.jpg" data-mid="160981935" border="0" alt="On the remote NE side of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5054m). May 2013." data-caption="On the remote NE side of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5054m). May 2013." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d2abce1ec68002293bd7385b04eb6193fab4a3b4601bc3d75825e6200748926d/3_-Bearbeitet.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1247" width_o="1920" height_o="1247" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/167f476366f75c364dc1b841a32a3b335a4f623ec686a1f015a5778cbdb401d9/Kazbek_SE_entry.jpg" data-mid="236873428" border="0" alt="Dropping into the SE face. April 2005" data-caption="Dropping into the SE face. April 2005" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/167f476366f75c364dc1b841a32a3b335a4f623ec686a1f015a5778cbdb401d9/Kazbek_SE_entry.jpg" /> February 2019. It is a stormy winter day at 3000 m in the Georgian Caucasus. A dog looks at me as if he knows me, as if I have been here before. In the background, Mkinvartsveri (5054 m) rises, the sun shining on the upper slopes of the southeast face. Somewhere up there, my fascination with the Caucasus started. First, with an image of these slopes in my father's geology book, my fingers tracing lines up and down snowy slopes and ice faces; later, standing with skis at the drop-in to my dream line—the SE face direct, or “3B”. &nbsp;The pursuit of skiing this and other lines on this beautiful peak would lead me back to Georgia year after year. However, it was not just about the mountains. It was the unique mix of mountains, culture, immense hospitality, and the chaotic, charming, and vibrant Tbilisi transitioning into a modern future.&nbsp; In 2008, I skied the SE face direct (50°+) with Andi Riesner and several other new steep routes. In May 2013, I returned to Mkinvartsveri one more time to climb and ski the last unskied line. Trevor Hunt, a Canadian steep skiing legend, and I ascended the rarely climbed Japharidze ridge and N-NE face to the summit in less than three days. Together with Georgian climbers a few weeks before us, we are the first people to climb this route in over 50 years – and the first to ski it. This descent was the fourth steep line I skied in the course of seven years. A full article can be found at ︎Mountain Life. In 2017, I returned to the area with three Ukrainian friends, climbing Mkinvartsveri`s neighbour peak Maili Khok (4600 m). Some refer to the route along its ridge and onwards as the "Road of Dreams". It was a memorable climb during a time when the mountains of the Caucasus seemed to have no borders. Little did we know about what would follow and how plans and dreams would vanish because of decisions made by men. Today, I live part-time in Georgia. The image of Mkinvartsveri from February 2019 hangs in my living room in Norway. The print was a present from my wife, whom I had met in Georgia. We got married a few months after I took the image. <img width="1600" height="1200" width_o="1600" height_o="1200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c766f919ca09de3390002a15da8092d4af34f942d733cdc02cfb3463c3a67466/_DSF6002-1.jpg" data-mid="161067546" border="0" alt="Mkinvartsveri. February 2019." data-caption="Mkinvartsveri. February 2019." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c766f919ca09de3390002a15da8092d4af34f942d733cdc02cfb3463c3a67466/_DSF6002-1.jpg" /> <img width="2048" height="1152" width_o="2048" height_o="1152" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d81decf0d5313750d3b37d99bf6b0366c8feda21d13bf02d3247834e15834145/Maili_Kokh.jpg" data-mid="205109186" border="0" alt="Maili Khok. August 2017." data-caption="Maili Khok. August 2017." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d81decf0d5313750d3b37d99bf6b0366c8feda21d13bf02d3247834e15834145/Maili_Kokh.jpg" /> https://ps-photo.net/Pik-Pobeda-East-6762-m Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:01:33 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Pik-Pobeda-East-6762-m Pik Pobeda East (6762 m) — The First Ski Descent Skiing my dream line in the Kyrgyz Tian Shan <img width="2400" height="1600" width_o="2400" height_o="1600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5171a8a5c5062ac416daa9bbd9af714bf42435f29a50f628149e223701e55aa3/XIII_31.jpg" data-mid="20777904" border="0" alt="Anders below Pik Pobeda East. Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes" data-caption="Anders below Pik Pobeda East. &lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt; Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes&lt;/i&gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5171a8a5c5062ac416daa9bbd9af714bf42435f29a50f628149e223701e55aa3/XIII_31.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9e8cde24d9105b21d565fe342160f1672a3a8ccbab1906413146e422b9bd09e9/2022-09-07-0002-1-1.jpg" data-mid="220348898" border="0" alt="Pik Pobeda East&acute;s NE ridge (left skyline)" data-caption="Pik Pobeda East´s NE ridge (left skyline)" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9e8cde24d9105b21d565fe342160f1672a3a8ccbab1906413146e422b9bd09e9/2022-09-07-0002-1-1.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1090" width_o="1600" height_o="1090" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fb90480faebaa11ec3584597da176eff8ea2f19f83db6bb3f1e87e8b064c2e03/XV_18_3.jpg" data-mid="20773476" border="0" alt="Mil-Mi 8 helicopter in Khan Tengri base camp." data-caption="Mil-Mi 8 helicopter in Khan Tengri base camp." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fb90480faebaa11ec3584597da176eff8ea2f19f83db6bb3f1e87e8b064c2e03/XV_18_3.jpg" /> In the summer of 2010, Anders Ödman and I traveled to the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan. After the first ski descent of Shkhara (5193 m) in the Georgian Caucasus, I wanted more – a long, sustained, and aesthetic ski line on a major peak. Our initial goal was the north face of Pik Pobeda (7439 m), but the warm and wet July and serious avalanche hazard made an attempt unreasonable. After days of scouting, studying maps, and analysing old images, we identified two potential lines: the aesthetic northeast ridge of the remote East Summit (6762 m) and the southeast ridge of Pik Voennizh Topografov (6873 m). A few days later, we began the multi-day approach up the Zvezdochka Glacier, skinning into a world of ice and snow far removed from the usual base camps, traversing beneath the&nbsp; 2500 to 3000 m high meter north face of Pik Pobeda. The sound of avalanches was frequent, with proportions of which they we had never seen before or would see since. One morning, a powder cloud from a massive slide whipped over our tent at 4800 meters, an explicit reminder of how powerful the mountains here are and how small and vulnerable we are. Several days after leaving base camp, steeper terrain led us to the Chon Teren Pass (5450 m) below Pobeda East and Voennizh Topografov. From here, it is clear that the ridge of Pobeda East is continious, almost perfect ski line. After sitting out a storm, we began the ascent of the NE ridge – up to 50+° steep – toward the east summit of Pik Pobeda. Anders turned back 200 vertical meters below the summit, conserving energy for a safe descent. I continued alone, battling wind slabs, crust, and loose snow over rock. Exhausted, I reached the summit at 14:30. To the north lay China; to the south, the vast Kyrgyz Tien Shan. The scale of the mountains was unlike anything I had ever seen. With time slipping away, I snapped a few summit shots with my trusted Contax T3, clicked into my skis, and descended back to our tent on the pass. The first turns on wind slab cautious, later the flow came.&nbsp; A lone ski descent, down a logical line.&nbsp; The NE ridge of Pik Pobeda East is likely the biggest line ever skied in the Tien Shan – and my finest. A short article on the descent is found in the &gt;&gt;&nbsp;AAJ. <img width="975" height="650" width_o="975" height_o="650" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e7f761edab5050b6cc19f1439b8fab3e8c9cbae8863f86c88b0dba874127f44a/SDIM3640-Bearbeitet_o.jpg" data-mid="20773470" border="0" alt=" Avalanche off the north face of Pik Pobedy (7439m). Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Nature." data-caption=" Avalanche off the north face of Pik Pobedy (7439m).&lt;i&gt;&lt;/br&gt; Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Nature.&lt;/i&gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/975/i/e7f761edab5050b6cc19f1439b8fab3e8c9cbae8863f86c88b0dba874127f44a/SDIM3640-Bearbeitet_o.jpg" /> <img width="1024" height="694" width_o="1024" height_o="694" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/91b2ae1b7ba1fc468c80f558b45e951474eb4e68864467553bee9fba59d93e5c/PikPobedaApproach.jpg" data-mid="20773480" border="0" alt="On the Zvezdochka glacier, heading towards the Chon Teren pass. The skyline of the peak to the right is the Pik Pobedy East NE ridge. Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes." data-caption="On the Zvezdochka glacier, heading towards the Chon Teren pass. The skyline of the peak to the right is the Pik Pobedy East NE ridge.&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt; Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes.&lt;/i&gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/91b2ae1b7ba1fc468c80f558b45e951474eb4e68864467553bee9fba59d93e5c/PikPobedaApproach.jpg" /> <img width="975" height="650" width_o="975" height_o="650" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bd98f39ef858bf83165e5df8527b06f12912b3a08dd2dec49886987ff3697f76/SDIM3207-Bearbeitet_o.jpg" data-mid="20773472" border="0" alt="Night over Khan Tengri (7010 m)Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes." data-caption="Night over Khan Tengri (7010 m)&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes&lt;/i&gt;." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/975/i/bd98f39ef858bf83165e5df8527b06f12912b3a08dd2dec49886987ff3697f76/SDIM3207-Bearbeitet_o.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1084" width_o="1600" height_o="1084" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ec7461ca5092aa77d7d5be4055bcd29bbc80a2ef1e3de487344a9bf2919cb253/schoen_08-1.jpg" data-mid="20773481" border="0" alt="Pik Pobeda main (7439 m) from the East summit.Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes" data-caption="Pik Pobeda main (7439 m) from the East summit.&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes&lt;/i&gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ec7461ca5092aa77d7d5be4055bcd29bbc80a2ef1e3de487344a9bf2919cb253/schoen_08-1.jpg" /> <img width="954" height="650" width_o="954" height_o="650" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e3190db667b22ad6b302549adf5e69f2bbcf5793f10633d3f62a50839ad6a91a/2015-07-12-0001-2.jpg" data-mid="20773473" border="0" alt="High Camp on Pass Chon Teren (5500 m)." data-caption="High Camp on Pass Chon Teren (5500 m)." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/954/i/e3190db667b22ad6b302549adf5e69f2bbcf5793f10633d3f62a50839ad6a91a/2015-07-12-0001-2.jpg" /> <img width="565" height="850" width_o="565" height_o="850" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ab8e0dbbe875508dac818f07149b8841823d375baae354b71c5f7af9b58b1ced/2015-07-10-0004-Bearbeitet.jpg" data-mid="20773482" border="0" alt="Skiing the NE ridge." data-caption="Skiing the NE ridge." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/565/i/ab8e0dbbe875508dac818f07149b8841823d375baae354b71c5f7af9b58b1ced/2015-07-10-0004-Bearbeitet.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/09fb384ac186c0feaaa52cdceb5627540a08f1ac9745dc4e2f961570193feb3e/Sunrise_KhanTengri.jpg" data-mid="237506222" border="0" alt="Sunrise on Khan Tengri" data-caption="Sunrise on Khan Tengri" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/09fb384ac186c0feaaa52cdceb5627540a08f1ac9745dc4e2f961570193feb3e/Sunrise_KhanTengri.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1301" width_o="1920" height_o="1301" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c06a67f6adfa2c8e2368bc9af8514514fdadbe9f7bc1f9d14f43de295d5df2b4/oo-1.jpg" data-mid="237506144" border="0" alt="En route" data-caption="En route" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c06a67f6adfa2c8e2368bc9af8514514fdadbe9f7bc1f9d14f43de295d5df2b4/oo-1.jpg" /> https://ps-photo.net/Pik-Chapaev-6371-m Sun, 27 Jul 2025 18:55:56 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Pik-Chapaev-6371-m // --- Set proper page title --- document.title = "Pik Chapaev (6371 m) – One of the Most Beautiful Peaks in the Tian Shan"; // --- Inject meta description dynamically --- var metaDesc = document.createElement('meta'); metaDesc.name = "description"; metaDesc.content = "Pik Chapaev (6371 m) in the Tian Shan. Stunning views during our acclimatization climbs before the first ski descent of Pik Pobeda East."; document.head.appendChild(metaDesc); // --- Optional: Add keywords meta --- var metaKeys = document.createElement('meta'); metaKeys.name = "keywords"; metaKeys.content = "Pik Chapaev, Peak Chapaev, Khan Tengri, Tian Shan, Tien Shan, mountaineering, Kyrgyzstan, Contax T3"; document.head.appendChild(metaKeys); Pik Chapaev (6371 m) One of the most beautiful peaks Prior to skiing Pik Pobeda East (6762 m) in the Kyrgyz Tian Shan, we acclimatized on Khan Tengri (7010 m) first. The views toward Pik Chapaev, an elegant, airy ridge above the clouds, were stunning. In that moment, it was the most beautiful mountain I had ever seen. <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a4c29d1ed1fed52aad830649e122b7dfac496ab4fe772f38eb48a028c0971e5/4-1.jpg" data-mid="236313510" border="0" alt="Pik Chapaev, seen from Khan Tengri.Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes. " data-caption="Pik Chapaev, seen from Khan Tengri.&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes. &lt;/i&gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7a4c29d1ed1fed52aad830649e122b7dfac496ab4fe772f38eb48a028c0971e5/4-1.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6e28f92ff84f384d26862f0ebc60d5d896f6bf59e82a6d20897ccc25dc36cb0b/Panorama-2a-1.jpg" data-mid="236313511" border="0" alt="Pik Chapaev (6371 m, Tien Shan), seen in the morning during the ascent of Khan Tengri.Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes." data-caption="Pik Chapaev (6371 m, Tien Shan), seen in the morning during the ascent of Khan Tengri.&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6e28f92ff84f384d26862f0ebc60d5d896f6bf59e82a6d20897ccc25dc36cb0b/Panorama-2a-1.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="925" width_o="1600" height_o="925" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0b1e64d00e7ad6093fc48923899ae79acc98907813da7642ddfa31d95489368e/Pik-Chapaev_1.jpg" data-mid="236313502" border="0" alt="Pik Chapaev (6371 m), seen in the morning during the ascent of Khan Tengri.Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes. Published in Schwarzweiss Issue 90" data-caption="Pik Chapaev (6371 m), seen in the morning during the ascent of Khan Tengri.&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Leica Fotografie International Gallery Category Landscapes. Published in Schwarzweiss Issue 90&lt;/i&gt;" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0b1e64d00e7ad6093fc48923899ae79acc98907813da7642ddfa31d95489368e/Pik-Chapaev_1.jpg" /> https://ps-photo.net/Chatyn-Tau-Steep-Lines-in-the-Georgian-Caucasus Sat, 15 Sep 2018 06:43:24 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Chatyn-Tau-Steep-Lines-in-the-Georgian-Caucasus Chatyn-Tau (4412 m) - the 1st Ski Descent of the SE Couloir.&nbsp; <img width="1600" height="1090" width_o="1600" height_o="1090" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0d980c837dd189e1840c08f3ad40e7d29c2dbf67b668ae13241cbf50457629d6/scan_02-1.jpg" data-mid="24220938" border="0" alt="Trevor Hunt on Chatyn-Tau (4412m) SE couloir (1800m, 45-55&deg;+)." data-caption="Trevor Hunt on Chatyn-Tau (4412m) SE couloir (1800m, 45-55°+)." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0d980c837dd189e1840c08f3ad40e7d29c2dbf67b668ae13241cbf50457629d6/scan_02-1.jpg" /> Chatyn-Tau is a 4412 m high mountain in Svaneti, Georgian Caucasus. Three summits give it a distinctive, impressive shape. Still, the peak stands in the shadow of its famous neighbour, Ushba (4710 m). Still, Chatyn-Tau holds some of the best steep-skiing lines in the Caucasus. One is the large Southeast-Couloir of the West Summit (4310 m), clearly visible from Mestia. Since my first trip to Svaneti in 2010, the couloir had been on my mind. In May 2013, just days after the first ski descent of Mkinvartsveri`s NE face, Canadian steep skier Trevor Hunt and I arrived in Svaneti. With a lot of ice on the large south-facing walls of Janga-Tau and Shkhara, we turn our attention to the SE couloir of Chatyn-Tau. 1800 m vertical, wild bergschrunds and crevassed at the bottom, seriously steep and exposed at the top. The surface was hard; deep runnels covered the middle section of the couloir. The sheer size, combined with the hard conditions and misty weather, gave the route an uncomforting, heavy aura. The ski descent ranks perhaps as my hardest and scariest. A thin snow cover on ice, 55° and more. A day later, we skied the SW face. Both would be my last steep ski descents in the Caucasus. Four years later, Miroslav Peťo and Maroš Červienka repeated the line in better conditions. They rated the route at Traynard S5/S6, E3, 50-55°.&nbsp;︎Link to report A full article can be found over at ︎Mountain Life. <img width="607" height="900" width_o="607" height_o="900" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/79a4ee53a75a61749960c56dff525f9399165ba5ee13e2d37ace39e3b96e3efa/64-Bearbeitet-1-1.jpg" data-mid="24220684" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/607/i/79a4ee53a75a61749960c56dff525f9399165ba5ee13e2d37ace39e3b96e3efa/64-Bearbeitet-1-1.jpg" /> <img width="1280" height="831" width_o="1280" height_o="831" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c232c76f311a4f9daa8e4100e11a80bcf101ab58ffc42fcfd403a521689af089/east-face14.jpg" data-mid="161070088" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c232c76f311a4f9daa8e4100e11a80bcf101ab58ffc42fcfd403a521689af089/east-face14.jpg" /> https://ps-photo.net/Bezengi-Wall-Svaneti Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:17:05 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Bezengi-Wall-Svaneti Bezengi Wall - One Day... <img width="1024" height="685" width_o="1024" height_o="685" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d8ef4e7410a9a250ae4e4e5a1bc46b00792ea5baef6af1c7c69386bc9c89a956/Bezengi_Caucasus.jpg" data-mid="76798221" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d8ef4e7410a9a250ae4e4e5a1bc46b00792ea5baef6af1c7c69386bc9c89a956/Bezengi_Caucasus.jpg" /> In June 2010, Boris Avdeev and I stood on top of Shkhara, a 5193 m high, challenging summit in the Caucasus. Shkhara is the highest point of the Bezengi Wall, a 12 km long mountain massif largely above 4500 m along the Georgian-Russian border. Shkhara also marks the eastern end of the wall and is either the last or first summit of the Bezengi traverse – a traverse of the entire massif over multiple 4500-5000 m summits and one of the greatest alpine challenges in the Caucasus and Europe. A few weeks later, Boris writes to me - “one day, we have to do the traverse”. This day will never come. Boris perishes in an avalanche in April of 2012. We were to climb Janga-Tau (5058 m), a remote peak seldom climbed in the central part of the Bezengi Wall, a few weeks later. After two months in a mental hole, full of doubt about the sense of going to the mountains, and filled with a lack of motivation and self-discipline, I travelled to Georgia again. On 22 June 2012, I summit Janga-Tau with Robert Koschitzki. As I sit on the summit and watch Robert coming up, I look to great Shkhara rising behind him, where Boris and I stood two years earlier, and then look behind me to the remaining summits of the Bezengi wall to the West. I wonder if I will ever make the traverse. Maybe, one day...(LFI Mastershot. Published on the Leica Fotografie International Blog, One Photo, One Story) <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/af09adf2dd606242de937c18b909609a503749182c4e96750124dc7d66f1df2c/3-1.jpg" data-mid="161076307" border="0" alt="On Pik Shota Rustaveli (4860m). Climber: Robert Koschitzki." data-caption="On Pik Shota Rustaveli (4860m). Climber: Robert Koschitzki." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/af09adf2dd606242de937c18b909609a503749182c4e96750124dc7d66f1df2c/3-1.jpg" /> <img width="611" height="900" width_o="611" height_o="900" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0baa24cd88b81bc093d0b9173780c86531755b7e12d8fca24c4c195638ba0b78/schoen_09-Bearbeitet-Bearbeitet.jpg" data-mid="161076869" border="0" alt="Cold morning on Shkhara. Published in Alpinist Magazine 39" data-caption="Cold morning on Shkhara. Published in Alpinist Magazine 39" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/611/i/0baa24cd88b81bc093d0b9173780c86531755b7e12d8fca24c4c195638ba0b78/schoen_09-Bearbeitet-Bearbeitet.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1069" width_o="1600" height_o="1069" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d1efad5b8e28e97ce916cacdfacd3fcb74b05df3f5cb29f40c5ba918bc0634b1/L1061775-Bearbeitet-2-1.jpg" data-mid="76808642" border="0" alt="On Janga-Tau (5058m), Shkhara (5193m) in the background. Climber: Robert Koschitzki. LFI Mastershot" data-caption="On Janga-Tau (5058m), Shkhara (5193m) in the background. Climber: Robert Koschitzki. LFI Mastershot" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d1efad5b8e28e97ce916cacdfacd3fcb74b05df3f5cb29f40c5ba918bc0634b1/L1061775-Bearbeitet-2-1.jpg" /> https://ps-photo.net/Janga-Tau Thu, 13 Sep 2018 18:49:43 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Janga-Tau Janga Tau (5085 m) In 2005, I first came to the Caucasus of Georgia. The place captured me instantly, like no other had before. Soon, the idea to climb and ski all three 5000 m mountains of Georgia was born: Shkhara (5193 m), Janga-Tau (5058 m), and Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek, 5034 m). In 2006 and 2008, Deon Louw, Andreas Riesner, and I made two first ski descents from the summit of Mkinvartsveri. In 2010, Boris Avdeev and I stood on the summit of Shkhara, the most difficult and dangerous of the three. Before I started the difficult ski descent from Shkhara, I saw in the distance the east flank of Janga-Tau emerging from the clouds, and I imagined skiing it one day. In June 2012, I finally reached the summit of Janga-Tau, after numerous adventurous trips to the Caucasus, years of preparation, and training, alongside Robert Koschitzki, and then skied down the east flank of Janga-Tau. This finished the 5000ers of Georgia project, with great Shkhara looming in the background…. (Published as Leica Fotografie International Photo Story) <img width="680" height="850" width_o="680" height_o="850" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/391ba36b04941dc524d768bc8118a710eb82cf20495e87228e15033e4a480239/L1061864-Edit-Edit-1.jpg" data-mid="24185003" border="0" alt="Skiing Janga Tau, with Skhhara in the background" data-caption="Skiing Janga Tau, with Skhhara in the background" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/680/i/391ba36b04941dc524d768bc8118a710eb82cf20495e87228e15033e4a480239/L1061864-Edit-Edit-1.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1305" width_o="1920" height_o="1305" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/544917f7533364a84c233c4e24498f018acac2178eabf41fc87975353eee42cc/JangaTau.jpg" data-mid="236684862" border="0" alt="Robert Koschitzki on the south face of Janga Tau" data-caption="Robert Koschitzki on the south face of Janga Tau" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/544917f7533364a84c233c4e24498f018acac2178eabf41fc87975353eee42cc/JangaTau.jpg" /> https://ps-photo.net/Awarded-and-Single-Images Sat, 15 Sep 2018 06:23:44 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Awarded-and-Single-Images Awarded Work <img width="1600" height="1067" width_o="1600" height_o="1067" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7b595481fc8116fd39c817e03de0b3a58fcd74d975d7d2b9ba12b85afdd166d2/I-16.jpg" data-mid="193679041" border="0" alt="Tskhaltubo IDP collective center. Black &amp; White Magazine Merit Award Winner 2013" data-caption="Tskhaltubo IDP collective center. Black &amp; White Magazine Merit Award Winner 2013" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7b595481fc8116fd39c817e03de0b3a58fcd74d975d7d2b9ba12b85afdd166d2/I-16.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1067" width_o="1600" height_o="1067" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/556ad81f89f71edf1711f8e9e820ce46d3a9b7ac99229bd4b22f6873b754746f/scan_06-1.jpg" data-mid="24220352" border="0" alt="Walking Alone. Aparan, Armenia. Black &amp; White Magazine Merit Award Winner 2013" data-caption="Walking Alone. Aparan, Armenia. Black &amp; White Magazine Merit Award Winner 2013" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/556ad81f89f71edf1711f8e9e820ce46d3a9b7ac99229bd4b22f6873b754746f/scan_06-1.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1067" width_o="1600" height_o="1067" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b56ca53f01b06fcd6ac39c1500bd98d515c8d744e960bb137f987316034b08cd/schoen_03-2.jpg" data-mid="24220353" border="0" alt="Speed. Black &amp; White Magazine Merit Award Winner 2013" data-caption="Speed. Black &amp; White Magazine Merit Award Winner 2013" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b56ca53f01b06fcd6ac39c1500bd98d515c8d744e960bb137f987316034b08cd/schoen_03-2.jpg" /> Single Pieces of Work&nbsp; <img width="1600" height="1070" width_o="1600" height_o="1070" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/13e32ef7fd2aee4d30180cf532a9c4b93c26a56fee453283276813256ee70a76/L1061149-Edit-2.jpg" data-mid="24221052" border="0" alt="Horse Race. Mestia, Svaneti (Georgia). LFI Editor's Choice/Picture of the Week (June 2012)" data-caption="Horse Race. Mestia, Svaneti (Georgia). LFI Editor's Choice/Picture of the Week (June 2012)" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/13e32ef7fd2aee4d30180cf532a9c4b93c26a56fee453283276813256ee70a76/L1061149-Edit-2.jpg" /> <img width="1280" height="848" width_o="1280" height_o="848" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/21e3668e48663a34dd15331f13b7c20e3a91418b79627bd650d225644b89bf75/L1171771-1-1.jpg" data-mid="76848739" border="0" alt="Choucas and Mt. Blanc. Published in Alpinist Magazine Issue 46" data-caption="Choucas and Mt. Blanc. Published in Alpinist Magazine Issue 46" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/21e3668e48663a34dd15331f13b7c20e3a91418b79627bd650d225644b89bf75/L1171771-1-1.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1083" width_o="1600" height_o="1083" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3ba12cdf09d432f8381da6d3c088820bf2bc07310ba81dd497d62a1dbd72e14e/schoen_02.jpg" data-mid="161077149" border="0" alt="on Ushba (4710 m), Caucasus" data-caption="on Ushba (4710 m), Caucasus" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3ba12cdf09d432f8381da6d3c088820bf2bc07310ba81dd497d62a1dbd72e14e/schoen_02.jpg" /> <img width="1250" height="767" width_o="1250" height_o="767" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/74d9d0141515e5af566de68d6bf23fe4ca40f68cc54c2c723a7e6dbd83b4bbf8/Tsitsernakaberd.jpg" data-mid="76964721" border="0" alt="Policemen at Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide memorial, Yerevan. Ararat (5137 m) in the background. LFI Editor's Choice/Picture of the Week (Nov. 2013)" data-caption="Policemen at Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide memorial, Yerevan. Ararat (5137 m) in the background. LFI Editor's Choice/Picture of the Week (Nov. 2013)" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/74d9d0141515e5af566de68d6bf23fe4ca40f68cc54c2c723a7e6dbd83b4bbf8/Tsitsernakaberd.jpg" /> <img width="966" height="650" width_o="966" height_o="650" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e18bff3dface44530a5343197a718b7d569ddba3da6fafa2d6ee3a628b91855a/L1021658-Bearbeitet-2_o.jpg" data-mid="24220292" border="0" alt="The Baker. Gali, Abkhazia, Caucasus." data-caption="The Baker. Gali, Abkhazia, Caucasus." src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/966/i/e18bff3dface44530a5343197a718b7d569ddba3da6fafa2d6ee3a628b91855a/L1021658-Bearbeitet-2_o.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="1090" width_o="1600" height_o="1090" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/75b8ea24ce6d1bed820421e636de611ab7ebdf4d4a6b827012996936a6a0875b/Orphanage-in-Armenia_-1.jpg" data-mid="24220290" border="0" alt="Portrait in an Orphange. Armenia" data-caption="Portrait in an Orphange. Armenia" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/75b8ea24ce6d1bed820421e636de611ab7ebdf4d4a6b827012996936a6a0875b/Orphanage-in-Armenia_-1.jpg" /> ArmeniaI am on a seemingly never-ending photographic journey through the Caucasus, constantly retracing my steps of earlier journeys. In March 2005, we were on a magical journey through Armenia to explore the country’s highest mountain (Aragats, 4090m) on skis. We stayed with a family in the town of Aparan. Much has changed there since then – supermarkets, new cars, and houses have running water. But just outside the town, the feeling of endless space and the loneliness of the Armenian countryside that captured us are still there. I suspect this will not change for a long time.(Published as Leica Fotografie International Photo Story) <img width="1600" height="1067" width_o="1600" height_o="1067" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/556ad81f89f71edf1711f8e9e820ce46d3a9b7ac99229bd4b22f6873b754746f/scan_06-1.jpg" data-mid="24220352" border="0" alt="Walking Alone. Aparan/Armenia. Black and White Magazine 2013 Merit Award Winner" data-caption="Walking Alone. Aparan/Armenia. Black and White Magazine 2013 Merit Award Winner" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/556ad81f89f71edf1711f8e9e820ce46d3a9b7ac99229bd4b22f6873b754746f/scan_06-1.jpg" /> Zurab - TushetiIn February of 2014, my Georgian college Giorgi and I were in Tusheti, a remote part of the Georgian Caucasus, to set up an avalanche and winter safety program in the area, but also to document the life of the few inhabitants that stay there over the winter. Our host was Zurab, a typical Georgian – hospitable as a host can be, always concerned about our well-being in the cold winter mountain environment, and with a charmingly rough character...and smoking too much. This moment was typical of our stay. While I write down my notes and observations from the day out in the field, Zurab prepares hot water for tea, coffee and food in his simple kitchen while watching TV (powered by solar) or just watching the time go by and having a smoke.(Published as Leica Fotografie International Photo Story) <img width="1280" height="909" width_o="1280" height_o="909" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5e68daa5605fd5667996aaa4b72f852d2c04c07f1a04326fc4f0dad37bc2c535/L1173489-Bearbeitet_17.jpg" data-mid="76811418" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5e68daa5605fd5667996aaa4b72f852d2c04c07f1a04326fc4f0dad37bc2c535/L1173489-Bearbeitet_17.jpg" /> https://ps-photo.net/Arctic-Scandinavia Sun, 27 Jul 2025 19:49:47 +0000 Peter Schön - Ski Alpinist and Photographer https://ps-photo.net/Arctic-Scandinavia Arctic Scandinavia Arctic Norway and Sweden - my main work area as ski guide since 2015. A fascinating part of our planet. Northern lights and midnight sun. Mountains and sea.&nbsp; <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c07de3b8ed4f54bad257d14341adb9433a3e2de520bc9f692d77650fce8a47a3/L1036029PeterSchoen-1.jpg" data-mid="236314291" border="0" alt="Stetind" data-caption="Stetind" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c07de3b8ed4f54bad257d14341adb9433a3e2de520bc9f692d77650fce8a47a3/L1036029PeterSchoen-1.jpg" /> <img width="1280" height="1097" width_o="1280" height_o="1097" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2bba50bbfd58f99796922e9af81de97c78dc467f60263207e68e8f3f2f113d4f/1-1-1.jpg" data-mid="236314495" border="0" alt="Lyngen" data-caption="Lyngen" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2bba50bbfd58f99796922e9af81de97c78dc467f60263207e68e8f3f2f113d4f/1-1-1.jpg" /> <img width="950" height="882" width_o="950" height_o="882" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9be918434ad061ee2c3345dea1303a0f0ff2be1dc36ca057eee85017f17cfa25/scan_06.jpg" data-mid="236314296" border="0" alt="Skipper portrait" data-caption="Skipper portrait" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/950/i/9be918434ad061ee2c3345dea1303a0f0ff2be1dc36ca057eee85017f17cfa25/scan_06.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="900" width_o="1600" height_o="900" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aa37ee4488d1c7ff7727d9026fd17d9887055917bb831da7b7f5ec1d6d273c28/L1000850-2.jpg" data-mid="236314428" border="0" alt="Northern Lights over Narvik" data-caption="Northern Lights over Narvik" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aa37ee4488d1c7ff7727d9026fd17d9887055917bb831da7b7f5ec1d6d273c28/L1000850-2.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/839d68b1582c106ac17938ce59ddbb72e33ed29ff4888e96850df08f2d715b3d/L1035682-1.jpg" data-mid="236314431" border="0" alt="Lofoten" data-caption="Lofoten" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/839d68b1582c106ac17938ce59ddbb72e33ed29ff4888e96850df08f2d715b3d/L1035682-1.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2b1d8ecc2939124efd7f7406d94ef9909e8a2a2de5c6f6f831e7a37bc8e048d0/Kagen.jpg" data-mid="236314293" border="0" alt="On K&aring;gen" data-caption="On Kågen" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2b1d8ecc2939124efd7f7406d94ef9909e8a2a2de5c6f6f831e7a37bc8e048d0/Kagen.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1288" width_o="1920" height_o="1288" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/91e68389c354a35ed983230379328b30402be1fded3ff0d12c73a6d13242566e/Vassecohkka.jpg" data-mid="236314414" border="0" alt="Riksgr&auml;nsen" data-caption="Riksgränsen" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/91e68389c354a35ed983230379328b30402be1fded3ff0d12c73a6d13242566e/Vassecohkka.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1280" width_o="1920" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b1c1e74554d3295d09c7533cd0ff9fc5c759c79d742131f4c79138487eb58917/_R000039-5.jpg" data-mid="236314339" border="0" alt="Arn&oslash;ya" data-caption="Arnøya" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b1c1e74554d3295d09c7533cd0ff9fc5c759c79d742131f4c79138487eb58917/_R000039-5.jpg" />