Photo contest: lighting up one's passion

The "Petzl lights up your daily life" photo contest inspired so many of you! We received an unbelievable amount of amazing photos of your daily lives. Daniel's photo stood out from the rest through a combination of passion and how much it resonated with most of you. Today, he tells the story behind the photo, and even a bit more…

Could you introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is Daniel and I currently live in Castellón (Spain), where I work during the week as an electrical engineer, and on the weekends as a photographer. I have taken photos while climbing, caving, mountaineering, canyoning, skiing, and more. I also love to read and continue to develop my personal skills; I am currently in a dual master's degree program, which means that I have little spare time to twiddle my thumbs. 

Tell us the story behind your photo. 

The photo was taken during while exploring a cave known as "El Tunel," located in Navajas (Valencia Region, Spain). The narrowest section is barely wider than me, which presents a considerable psychological challenge for anyone venturing inside this cave. Nevertheless, I went back and forth through this section several times to set up flashes and the rest of my camera equipment. At one point I was stuck for a half an hour but patiently managed to get through by staying focused and using good technique. The person in the photo is my twin brother Miguel. It was amazing to have him there with me; I'm pretty sure this experience left him with a sore neck for several days afterwards. However, he's an incredible caver, just like every other member of the GESAP caving club in Segorbe. After all, this is an activity that requires a lot of passion.

Petzl Lights Up Your Daily Life ... What does this mean to you? 

I have always used Petzl headlamps when playing in the great outdoors, especially as a caver. For me, the brand signifies safety, unforgettable experiences outdoors, and reassurance. When we venture inside a cave and remain there for hours (or days or even a week), we are extremely dependent on our headlamps, and would literally not know what to do without them. Caving presents many potential, but running out of light is clearly one of the most serious in such a hostile environment. 

Who will join you in Chamonix? 

I would like to take my twin brother, not only for appearing in the photo, but because he has helped me a lot since I began to develop a passion for exploring caves. I owe this to him and I would like to share this experience with someone who will enjoy it as much as I will. We form a great team and believe that our dreams have no limits. 

What are your expectations for your future Chamonix Trip? 

Traveling to the birthplace of alpinism is a dream come true. We would like to learn more about the area, walk on the glaciers, touch the incredible granite spires that soar into the sky, and climb one or two of the most iconic summits. I dream of seeing the world from the top of Mt. Blanc, just as mountaineering's pioneers saw it. I have read a lot about the history of high-mountain guides, about the French expedition to Annapurna (Herzog, Lachenal, Terray, Couzy, Rébuffat…), and about the many routes to the top of Mt. Blanc and the surrounding peaks. Although four days is short, I would also like to explore the Aiguille du Midi. 

Where do you plan to bring your ACTIK CORE after your trip to Chamonix? 

I think it will be a great tool when riding a bike or when running in the mountains. It is also easy to bring along when caving or climbing. Is there any way I could ask you for a couple more … hahaha 

What does Inaccessible mean to you? 

The inaccessible doesn't exist! Or at least if something has an access point it must be accessible, right? For me, the inaccessible represents more of a challenge than something impossible. To quote Mallory, I climb mountains because they are there. This is the same case regarding many other challenges the Mother Nature has to offer, whether in caves, on whitewater, or on long-distance runs. The difference between inaccessible and accessible is often just a couple of letters, a lot of imagination, hard work, and a passion for the outdoors.