Valle d'Aosta, as seen through the eyes of Giorgia Donini.
Some people observe the mountains from afar, while others choose to experience them in every season and in all conditions, making them part of their daily lives. Giorgia Donini belongs to the latter category. For her, Valle d'Aosta is not just a place; it is a horizon that changes shape depending on the sport, the climate, and the company.
The photos she has shared with us tell the story of this relationship, capturing different moments that are all connected by the same thread. This is where our dialogue begins.
WHAT ADVENTURES WERE THEY?
Giorgia: 'They are all photos of different adventures, but they are united by a common thread: Valle d'Aosta. I experience it to the fullest in all seasons and through many sports, with the mountains as the common denominator.'
WHY WAS IT A SPECIAL DAY FOR YOU?
G: 'After every adventure, I come home with something I have learned or experienced to cherish among my memories — sometimes some of the most beautiful. Looking back at the photos, different emotions resurface: the joy of reaching 4,000 metres on a stunning sunny day, for example, or memories linked more to the situation, company or weather conditions than to the place itself. Even when these put you to the test, they leave you with the awareness that you are strong enough to overcome certain challenges.'
Every outing leaves its mark. Whether it's reaching 4,000 metres in bright sunshine or facing a challenging day in bad weather, Giorgia knows that adventure is measured not only in metres of elevation gain, but also in what you take away from the experience.
WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO TO THE MOUNTAINS?
Giorgia: 'My routine changes depending on the activity, as does the equipment (which I always hope I won't forget). The only thing that perhaps unites all my adventures is my watch, which records every single moment!"
A watch is a small travelling companion that becomes a symbol of time passing and leaving its mark: the steps counted, the metres climbed, and, above all, the indelible fragments of life.
WHAT DOES 'FREEDOM' IN THE MOUNTAINS MEAN TO YOU?
G: 'For me, freedom is being able to choose the direction of my steps without constraints.'
It's a simple concept, but it encapsulates the essence of going: the freedom to choose your own path, free from obligations or imposed routes, guided only by your instincts and your desire for discovery.
IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
G: 'Tireless.'
This is perhaps the key to understanding her answers: a continuous search and an inner drive that never pauses. The mountains are where this tirelessness finds space, measure and meaning.
Through Giorgia's words, Audant Journal captures not just an individual story, but a shared experience: that of people who approach sport with a balance of effort and beauty, trials and rewards. These stories remind us that freedom is a step-by-step process and that the mountains, more than anywhere else, can teach us how strong we are.