From just down the trail beyond Courmayeur, Mount Blanc rises in striking contrast — its glacial whites and silvers meeting a foreground alive with fireweed in full bloom.

It was our first day back on the trail after a much-needed rest day, following four full days of hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc through the Alps. A steep morning climb led us to a remote refugio and the most satisfying cappuccino imaginable — followed by rolling hills blanketed in wildflowers, glowing in the alpine sun.

The mountain here feel both immense and intimate. Standing among the bright magenta petals, it’s impossible not to feel the balance of warmth and cold — a reminder that even in the shadow of ice, there’s always room for something vibrant to grow.