The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany, rising an impressive2962 meters. Hundreds of thousands of visitors reach the cross on itssummit every year, whether after a comfortable ride with the funicularor by tackling the steep ascent on foot. Hans Engels has undertakenthe strenuous, but spectacularly beautiful climb and has chosen thealpine primordial landscape to be the protagonist of his incredible photographs.The photographer’s view takes in both the idyllic simplicity of the landscapeas well as great plays of nature. Engels’ sublime photographscapture craggy rock formations or deep gorges cut through by springs.Nevertheless, traces of civilization in his photographs, like the mine inthe Höllental valley and the research station next to the ice fields onthe glaciers, are often juxtaposed in fascinating contrast to an ostensiblyuntouched natural setting.