I had somewhat of an epiphany at 2120m in the Alps. It took me maybe 30 minutes to get from our lovely heated chalet at 1100m with all the mod cons. Stood on the top of Téte des saix at 2120m I’m at the highest point on land i’ve ever been on our planet. I should be feeling complete elation looking at the amazing vista which stood before me but i just didn’t. Surrounded by the alps, looking at peaks which barley drop below 3000m, why don’t I have the same feeling as crawling out of my tent in the Langdales? Why do the peaks of Scafell pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw at less than 1000m hold so much power? People! Thats what it is people and the struggle. I look around me and the vista is obscured by people of all ages who have all expended very little effort to get here. Many of which probably don’t even notice where they are. “Ooh there’s a lovely restaurant where i can eat my steak!”

Don’t get me wrong, the thrill of snowboarding from this height is exhilarating (especially in a white out where you can’t see the 200ft drop to one side ) . But i just wish people could learn to appreciate our planet rather just what you can get from it. Sometimes you don’t just want unrestricted views of Mont Blanc, maybe you just want to sometimes be on top of Mont Blanc looking back.