The Peaks of Chamonix

It’s not hard to understand why Chamonix is so popular. The valley is surrounded by some of the most dramatic and beautiful peaks I’ve ever seen. At the start of my Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt in June 2026, I climbed out of Chamonix and followed the trail north, high above the valley. Across from me were Mont Blanc and the seemingly endless line of rugged peaks surrounding Chamonix. That morning, clouds were dancing around the mountains on the other side of the valley, constantly hiding and revealing the summits. For a brief moment, they opened up perfectly around Aiguille Verte, standing at 4,122 meters (13,524 feet), with the distinctive spires of the Grand Dru and Petit Dru rising dramatically in front. I love how the clouds naturally frame the mountains in this photo, almost like curtains being pulled apart to reveal the peaks behind them. Moments later, they disappeared back into the clouds.