The Las Leñas Mountains near Mendoza, Argentina, are primarily known as a winter sports paradise, but in summer the rugged high mountain landscape is transformed into a spectacular scenery of barren mountain slopes, green valleys and clear rivers.
That's how I got to know it. The photo is from my long journey through North, Central and South America, about which I also wrote a book: "On the art of wanting nothing".
And without the snow cover, the true beauty of the Andes is revealed: jagged rock formations in warm earthy colours, vast steppes with scattered shrubs and an impressive silence that is only interrupted by the wind or the occasional call of a condor.
The summer sun bathes the peaks in golden colours, while the clear mountain streams flow sparkling through the valleys. The climate is dry, with warm days and cool nights, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking or horse riding. Particularly fascinating are the remote, glacier-carved valleys and the secluded paths that lead deep into the mountains.
Those seeking the solitude of the high Andes will find unspoilt nature here, which shows a completely different but equally impressive side in summer as it does in winter. The dry air and intense sunlight lend the landscape an almost surreal clarity, while the endless expanses and majestic peaks convey a feeling of boundless freedom.
I am a creative free spirit. That's what my friends call me. And because I am so endlessly curious and love the unknown, I also like travelling through the real world with my backpack and camera. I always collect lots and lots of impressions, meet inspiring people and.. Read more…