Nature photography tip: Prepare for cold and sun at altitude

Saturday 6 December 2025, 22:44 by Rob Dijkstra | 1,458 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Wild mountain streams, waterfalls, flower-filled alpine meadows and impressive mountain peaks make the mountains irresistible to nature photographers. But the terrain also brings challenges.

Madeira - f/16, 1/50s, 200 ISO @24mm
Limit your equipment to the essentials, as the physical effort is greater than in flat areas.

Keep the lapse rate in mind: for every 1,000 metres of ascent, the temperature drops by an average of 6.5 degrees Celsius. After a cable car ride involving 500 metres of elevation gain, it can therefore be considerably cooler. Wind speeds up cooling, which can make the feels-like temperature up to 15 degrees lower.

At the same time, the sun's strength is much greater at altitude, increasing the risk of sunburn. Wear covering clothing, such as long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, and use sun cream with SPF 30 or 50. Reapply it every two hours to protect your skin properly.

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