Buried in the Sky

For issue 31, Port and Parajumpers’ AW22 traverse the Matterhorn

All clothing from Parajumpers AW22 collection

The Matterhorn, previously one of the most feared mountains in the Alps, was formed when Pangaea tore itself asunder. When the supercontinents of Laurasia (modern Europe) and Gondwana (containing Africa) collided, the ground was violently forced upward, leading to the formation of a jagged, pyramid-shaped peak whose four sides almost flawlessly align with the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west. Translating as ‘peak of the meadows’ in German, 3,000 climbers attempt to ascend its steep faces every year. To celebrate Parajumper’s AW22 collection, the intrepid team at Port decided to join them, albeit via gondola.

Shooting at 3000m above sea level was an exhilarating experience and in service to the hardiness and bracing innovation woven into the Italian label’s work. Continuing its focus on sustainable textiles and practice, one of the most noteworthy changes has been the decision to remove all fur details from its Masterpiece outerwear series, which is made from 100% recycled nylon oxford.

Puffers, parkas and jackets in blood orange, moss green, cloud grey and charcoal also feature, comprised of highly technical fabrics such as high-density micro reps polyester, light nylon poplin, super down proof Pertex and nylon cordura ripstop: water resistant and filled to the brim with duck down to ensure cosy insulation against the elements.

All carry Parajumper’s logo patch emblazoned with its “That Others May Live” motto and yellow parachute-hook-inspired elastic collar strap, both in homage to the real-life Parajumpers of Anchorage, Alaska – the 210th Rescue Squadron trained for extreme rescues and recoveries.

Complimenting these robust garments are knits, fleeces and trousers taking their cues from modern work- and military-wear, standouts of which include the cream high-neck Ettore sweatshirt, polar fleece Custer trouser with detachable keychain and khaki Dominic sweater, items equally at home in urban environs. Three accessories rounding out the collection that came in extra-handy on the day of shooting were an extra fine merino balaclava, super soft polar cap and versatile rescue backpack with mountains of space.

Edward Whymper, the English artist and engraver who led the first ever successful expedition of the Matterhorn, wrote that: “Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step…” Parajumpers have captured some of this spirit with their carefully considered collection, paying close attention to their ecological footprint through ingenious materials and enduring design. Clothing perfectly engineered for when you’re buried in the sky.

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Photography Cornelius Käss

Styling Lune Kuipers

Photography Assistant Tobias Stampfli

Styling Assistant Apolline Baillet

Model Ismaël at Rock Men

Casting Marqee Miller

Shoes by ROA and eyewear by OAKLEY

This article is taken from Port issue 31. To continue reading, buy the issue or subscribe here

Port explores the legacy of Italian climber Walter Bonatti, one of the greatest mountaineers of the 20th century

Italian mountain climber Walter Bonatti, who crouches with caution in a rock cave before continuing his climb on the side of Grand Capucin. © Getty Images

“The magic of mountaineering has died with the disappearance of the ‘unknown’ and the ‘impossible’. Progress has deleted these words; one of man’s fantasies has been extinguished, his poetry destroyed.”

So declared the Italian mountain climber Walter Bonatti in February 1975. Ten years earlier, at the age of 35, after four days of solitary climbing at -30°C, Bonatti set foot on the summit of the Matterhorn in the Alps, becoming one of only a handful of mountaineers to have scaled the challenging north face in winter.

Born in Bergamo in 1930, Bonatti died in 2011, but remains one of the greatest mountaineers of the 20th century. Were he alive today he would explain how, on his many successful first ascents and solo climbs, he never used mechanical equipment – no expansion or pressure nails, no drills, no pulleys or fixed lanyards. He used nothing that would have been unavailable to the great climbers of the past, such as Edward Whymper, the English mountaineer who made the first ascent of the Matterhorn a century before Bonatti’s climb, and the Italian, Riccardo Cassin. It is only by using the same basic equipment as them, Bonatti would reason, that it would be possible to compete on the same level, and attempt to pass where everyone else had stopped.

Grand Capucin, red-granite obelisk of the Alpi Graie, photographed in a lateral view. © Getty Images

Many would say this made Bonatti a fool, but he would have preferred to have described himself as honest. Eschewing the lightweight advantages of modern kit, he would take on the rock, ice and frost, foothold after foothold, pitch after pitch, with a huge backpack that threatened to pull him back into the valley, at times even carrying a climbing partner on his shoulders. While his fellow climbers were increasingly dependent upon technical clothing, energy bars and safety equipment, he would achieve his incredible feats encumbered by old heavy boots, ropes soaked with water and frost, sustained only by bread, water and a canteen of wine.

Bonatti’s solo ascent of the Matterhorn would mark the last act of his brief, 17-year career, but his achievements are still as remarkable now as they were then. Though he would be plagued by tragedy and controversy – accused of attempting to jeopardise the 1954 Italian expedition to K2 by his fellow climbers, it later emerged that Bonatti, the strongest climber of the group, was the victim of a conspiracy to prevent him from making it to the summit first – today, in an era where no climb is off limits to those with enough money and equipment, Bonatti continues to be conspicuous as an icon of great talent, strength and determination.

This is an extract from issue 21 of Port, out now. To buy or subscribe, click here.