62 | 100 Feel freedom
from the series 100 photos - 100 stories
Foto Koch celebrates 100 years and we tell YOUR best stories, because without you we wouldn't be here today! Today's story comes from our apprentice Melissa Stemmer, who talks about her experience in the South Tyrolean Alps and why she can only experience the feeling of freedom there.
Melissa StemmerYes, we've already arrived in 2021, so I have to talk about 'last year'. It's crazy how time flies. Especially at the moment, you're all the more grateful when you can enjoy a few days of peace and quiet. Somehow, you're always feeling a bit churned up inside and you have the feeling of losing control, I'm sure you understand what I mean. Last year in September, I went to South Tyrol with my boyfriend and my best friend, but earlier than planned because our short trip to Amsterdam was canceled due to corona. Corona had just returned from its summer break. For me, the mountains have always been the region that embodies 'tranquillity'. Next to these giants, you feel small and powerless, a completely different feeling to what we have every day in our cultural sphere. This feeling somehow grounds you, as I think our technological world is taking us further and further away from nature and we sometimes forget that we still live on planet 'earth'. We feel so powerful, almost invincible, and forget that there is nothing to "force". If that were the case, something would be wrong. I don't have that feeling in the mountains. At the top of the mountain, you feel so much freedom you could never achieve in a big city.
Anyway, we set off for South Tyrol two days early and started hiking on the first day in fantastic weather. I love mountain sports: hiking, climbing and biking. However, I've never ridden an e-bike: until now! I borrowed an e-mountain bike with my friend on the second day and we wanted to start straight away with a 4-pass tour: 3000 meters of altitude, 70 kilometers, 1 day. We set off along gravel paths, through forests, over rivers and hills. After about an hour, I lay down smoothly on a slippery rocky path and then I only rode on the road: but it wasn't bad either! With the e-bike, you can simply ride up a steep pass at 25 km/h and you don't notice a thing: an indescribable feeling!
Melissa StemmerEpic landscapes
After about 3 hours, we arrived at the first pass. My friend was already completely knocked out ... no idea why :P. We charged our e-bikes for a bit and then we were on our way. The pass roads usually lead right past the mountain ranges, so you have the feeling of being surrounded by them. They just stand in front of you like a gigantic wall: simply epic! The higher we went, the colder it got, but somehow you totally block it out. This picture was taken at the last pass. We sat on a tree trunk in the parking lot and I snapped a few shots with my Fujifilm. This hilltop somehow gives you the feeling that this mountain is famous: maybe that's what mountains are like. The sun even came out a little! Our e-bikes were somehow almost empty again, even though we were riding at level 2 of 5 at most... well, luckily the path now only led down into the valley. Two days later, we repeated our adventure: this time in the Alpe di Siusi region. I can really recommend it to everyone! Next time, I definitely want to race up the slopes on my own gravel bike. Without an E and feel the freedom again.
You can find out more about photographer Melissa Stemmer on her website or Instagram
Melissa Stemmer
Melissa Stemmer
