The Real Billion Star Hotel. by Timothy Poulton

The Real Billion Star Hotel. by Timothy Poulton

I must admit I always feel like I’m cheating catching a helicopter to Plateau Hut without even breaking a sweat suffering blisters but I’m here to photograph the mountains not climb them. One of the greatest joys I get organising these adventures is the look on friends faces when we land and the helicopter flys away, that mix of excitement and trepidation always bring a smile to my face. On this occasion Peter Ambrose, Chris Pegman, Talmen Madsen and myself had the whole hut to ourselves and not sharing it with loads of mountaineers, the terrain wasn’t suitable for climbing with crevasses all around us. After a massive effort in the kitchen whipping up a spicy cheery tomato and capsicum pasta we headed out to find compositions to capture sunset, Astro and hopefully the Aurora. With ice axe and snow shoes I beat out a safe path for us to explore. We had all the proper equipment, plenty of food and plenty of backcountry experience. It is a beautiful place, but it can also be very dangerous. Nature is always unpredictable. If bad weather hits you; you might be stuck for a few days – so when our first helicopter didn’t arrive we thought we’d have to endure another evening in this magical place. Returning to the airport I was reminded of one of my favourite quotes by Lord Byron that someone had written on the wall. “I live not in myself, but I become Portion of that around me; and to me High mountains are a feeling, but the hum Of human cities torture.” If you are interested in joining me on a private tour just send me an email to discuss.

Timothy Poulton: Photos