Firewind

Mount Cavallo, seen from Val Serenaia, reveals one of its most severe and sculptural faces in winter. Its steep and compact walls, etched with gullies and rockfalls, transform under the snow into a clear and unstable mass. Here, winter does not soften the forms; it makes them sharper, more essential. The mountain appears bare, taut, almost listening, while fresh snow accentuates its volumes and contrasts.

The first real snowfall of the year arrived late in the Apuan Alps. It was early February 2023, and the day after the precipitation ended, I decided to set off, backpack on my shoulders, for a solo trip in Val Serenaia, immersed in fresh snow and the silence that only the Apuan Alps can offer after a storm. I chose to spend the night out to maximize my chances of shooting, or at least that's what I told myself. The truth is, I felt the need to spend a night alone in these mountains, listening to the muffled silence of the snow and letting time slow down.

The initial idea was to reach Passo delle Pecore to photograph the imposing Monte Contrario, one of the most spectacular peaks in the area. From there, with a light dusting of snow, its walls offer an almost Himalayan landscape. This time, however, it wasn't possible. After passing Rifugio Orto di Donna, the accumulation of graupel from the previous days, mixed with fresh snow, made the ascent impassable, despite crampons. So I returned towards the hut, closed and silent, and decided to wait, letting the light suggest a direction.

At sunset, Val Serenaia transformed into an amphitheater of light. Monte Cavallo, in particular, emerged under unexpected illumination: a warm, raking light, while a very strong wind lifted fresh snow from the ridge. The crystals suspended in the air, hit by the sunset light, gave the impression that the peak was ablaze. Firewind is born precisely from this contrast: cold and heat, immobility and movement, silence and strength.

After sunset, I reached Bivacco K2. I gathered wood, lit a fire, and waited for what the weather would decide to grant me the following morning.