Painting the Mountains documents the work of Matthew Tufts, a photographer and journalist, as he attempts to capture the mountaineering exploits of his companions.
In Patagonia, climbing is well-established. But the stark granite faces hold little snow, and skiing is more rare. The lines are dangerous — and spectacular.
Matthew’s goal was to follow high-level French skiers Aurel Lardy, Vivian Bruchez, and Jules Socie as they made new descents in the legendary Patagonian Andes.
Matthew, with Aurel, Vivien, and Jules pour over images of the slopes, looking for new lines. Photo: Screenshot
Painters and Conquistadors
Matthew explains that Renaissance painters could spend six months just mixing the colors they used for a painting and another six months preparing the canvas. His photographic work in Argentine Patagonia was similar.
His earlier visits, Matthew says, were like preparing the paints and canvas. This time, he is ready to paint. Photo: Screenshot
He first visited the town of El Chaltén years earlier, staying for three months to write an article. He self-funded the trip, determined to establish a connection with the place and the local people. Matthew was wary of coming in like a “modern-day conquistador,” exploiting the land for his own gain.
Throughout the expedition, Matthew considers how he might give back to the community and the people who live at the foot of the famous mountains.
A new way to look at it
The skiers bring their own artistic vision to the slopes. The descents they attempt are extreme, dangerous. They see a path where others see only a cliff. Matthew describes one such line as “a thin ribbon painted across a wall of granite.”
Matthew watches the trio ski down this line with a mixture of awe and dread. Photo: Screenshot
Through Matthew’s camera, the skiers boldly carve their way through the mountains, across never-before-attempted slopes. Local legend Max Odell, who has been skiing El Chaltén for many years, says that the new perspective of the Frenchmen gives him his own new perspective. They see lines where he hadn’t dared to imagine skiing, and it inspires him to get back out there.
Max Odell is known as the Godfather of Skiing in El Chaltén. Matthew is proud that they are inspiring him to return to his passion.
Odell was one of the first ski guides active in the area, but he freely admits that the French skiers have him outclassed. Nevertheless, they are following in his footsteps. Photo: Screenshot
The second descent
The climax of their expedition is making the second-ever descent of the Whillans-Cochrane Ramp on Aguja Poincenot. The late extreme skier Andreas Fransson made the first descent in 2012. Descending the steep, exposed line is both dangerous and difficult.
Descending the Williams-Cochrane Ramp; one mistake could be fatal. Photo: Screenshot
After a hard climb, however, they turn and ski down the ramp, emerging unharmed at the bottom. Matthew, looking on, sees them as artists. They are, he says, “painting the mountain.”
