46°35'59.8"N 12°17'33.8"E
Towering over the eastern region of the Dolomites, Cadini di Misurina is a spectacle of tectonics. This cluster of jagged peaks boasts a height of 2,839 meters and is frequently found rising above fog layers and weather systems. These mountains are a popular trek among climbers during the summer, but can become increasingly dangerous during winter months due to heavy snowfall.
Nearby, you can also find the incredible Tre Cime di Lavaredo; 3 rocky spires of similar fashion to the peaks in this piece. This entire area is encompassed by the municipality of Auronzo di Cadore, often referred to as “the Pearl of the Dolomites”. Travelers come from all over the world for the holiday resorts and extensive landscape views. When my friends and I visited in July of 2022, I remember having to crane my neck so high to even get a glimpse at the tops of these mountains. It was difficult to not lose your whole day admiring their pure magnitude.
For a little context, I had been roadtripping with 3 other photographers around Europe for about 2 weeks at this point, driving close to 2500 km around Central Europe and making memories for a lifetime. This location was towards the tail end of the trip, but undoubtedly turned out to be one of the highlights. On the day we arrived here, large clouds of rain were sweeping through the valley, giving the whole scene a very moody and powerful look. The four of us geared up and hiked about 2 miles to the viewpoint, battling winds and slippery rock. When we finally reached the outlook, it was safe to say that we were all speechless. We stood out there in the elements, soaked head to toe with 40 pounds of camera gear on our backs, just taking it all in.
The rain prevented me from getting the drone up that evening, so I decided I would try again in the morning. On the return hike however, a severe lightning storm rolled in. I was a little ways behind the group, and found myself scrambling across the open rock face in the pitch darkness. It was a humbling moment to be completely at the hands of nature. Eventually I made it back to the van safely and could dry off, but ended up getting little sleep that night.
Before I knew it, I was once again stepping out of the van into the brisk morning air. I walked away from the gravel patch we had parked at for the night and found a good place to launch the drone. Once I was in the air, I made a beeline for the peaks we had been capturing the day prior. The upward panning motion I chose to utilize for this clip creates a dramatic reveal of one of the most incredible landscapes I have ever captured. This is “Cadini di Misurina” my last mint of 2022.
Original Music and Sound Design by Clemens Ruh