MOUNTAINS MAKE YOU HAPPY
ENERGY COMES AND GOES
Adventure, risk, humility: what we feel in the mountains is what we learn for life. It is difficult to describe happiness in the mountains. But one thing is clear: they move us. "Breathing deeply, I stand at the summit cross in front of an infinite expanse. I can feel my body and my freedom. It's pure happiness," is how outdoor fan Lukas Holland describes the feeling that the mountains give him. The amateur photographer has found his second home in Damüls Faschina.
The Allgäu native is a physiotherapist and deliberately works less in order to live more. "I treat patients for 30 hours a week and spend the rest of the time outside in the mountains as often as I can," says the 26-year-old. He has been at home on skis since birth and goes to the mountains at least three to four times a week in winter and summer. For skiing, ski touring, climbing or hiking. "At work, I talk a lot with older patients who have had a stroke, for example. They always tell me the same thing - I wish I had done this or that earlier. That's why I don't want to put anything off until later and enjoy my life to the full now," explains the man from Lindenberg.
LEARNING FROM THE MOUNTAINS
His passions are the mountains and photography. He taught himself both. "The mountains fascinate me and I want to capture that in pictures. The awe that I feel when walking or climbing, the solitude and the silence - that's what the mountains are all about for me," says the outdoor fan. He trained as a mountaineering instructor at the German Alpine Club, where he also leads a youth group on high-altitude tours to 4,000-metre peaks. His challenging excursions have taught him one thing above all: respect. Respect for nature, but also for the dangers and risks in the mountains.
OVERCOMING FEARS
Making decisions, overcoming difficulties and reflecting on yourself in the process: behavior on the mountain can point the way for the rest of your life. Walking across glaciers, ice climbing, safety techniques - Holland has learned a lot from the Alpine Club. "I also read a lot of books about safety on the mountain. We do avalanche training with my friends every two weeks in winter. We take this very seriously and try to minimize the risk. I always do difficult tours with people I can count on 100 percent," says the mountaineer.
Preparing well, overcoming fears and having confidence. These are the most important prerequisites for a successful mountain tour. "Our lives are also unpredictable, but we can prepare ourselves well for them. We always have the opportunity to change direction or adapt to situations. This enables us to climb even the biggest mountains," smiles the Allgäu native, who can absorb the most energy in nature, but also release it: "I always feel much better straight away when I've been outside. I can completely burn off energy for a few hours or just enjoy the peace and quiet."
THE POWER OF NATURE
Nature not only gives him strength for everyday life, it is his everyday life. "I just want to spend as much time as possible in the mountains and experience my dreams," emphasizes the physiotherapist. He loves the Western Alps with Damüls as his home, but he would also like to climb the Devil's Degree in Chamonix or the Matterhorn one day. "But my only goal is always to arrive home safely. Then I'll be happy," says the mountain lover.