Men’s Journal – September 2019

MEN’S JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2019 013

MEN’S JOURNAL

N THE FRENCH ALPS, a granite spire known as

Le Trident du Tacul towers some 800 feet

above the Glacier du Geant. Though beauti-

ful, it’s not the typical spot for a birthday

celebration. But Tim Howell, a former Brit-

ish Royal Marines commando, wanted to ring in turning

28 with something a bit more thrilling than a round of

pints. The accomplished BASE jumper has leaped off

bridges, amusement-park rides, and a Portuguese cliffside

chapel. Above all, though, he relishes venturing into the

backcountry to reach natural launch points, such as Le

Trident du Tacul, which offers views of the 12,440-foot La

Tour Ronde. “I think the reward is always a lot more sat-

isfying when the challenge is greater,” Howell says. Along

for the multipitch climb up the steep

spire that August day was photogra-

pher Hamish Frost, who dangled

from a rope a few yards below the

takeoff point, waiting for the right

moment to capture Howell’s birthday

leap. “I wanted him in free fall as he

went past me,” Frost says. “I hoped I’d

catch him in frame. There wasn’t

much chance of asking him to jump

again.” —AMBROSE MARTOS

Jump Shot

I

MONT BLANC

MASSIF,

FRENCH ALPS