I thoroughly enjoyed your story Erik. I find it interesting that you have to navigate snow and freezing temperatures as here in Australia it is blazing hot! Wonderful images too.
Thanks Gaz! It was a great learning experience, for photography and backpacking. Check out James Hider. He's based in Melbourne and writes 'A Photography Journey.' It always catches me off guard when he posts in mid winter about the hot summer temps!
I got up once at 5:00 AM on a frosty morning when my sleeping bag wasn't enough. I wasn't nearly prepared- it gets cold up here in Canada.
I thought I was going to freeze to death. Too cold to even make my hands work to light the stove. I jogged around the campsite and did jumping jacks until I was able to feel my hands and feet again and fortunately thawed out.
Congratulations Erik on expanding your comfort zone - and a great story. There is nothing like extreme conditions to make you feel alive and appreciative of the power of nature - the challenge, as photographers, is to capture these feelings.
The layered look is an effect of the telephoto lens, called lens compression. When I'm far away from the mountains I'm photographing and use that long lens it gives the appearance that the farther away peaks are larger and pulled in closer.
Ha! Aches, boredom, disturbed sleep... its definitely NOT refreshing! But here I am looking forward to the next one!
Very nice! Hiking in winter is an adventure! I know what you mean about trepidation when you haven’t been out for a while. Currently I am in a motel room waiting out a rainy afternoon with gale-force winds and a threat of tornadoes. Twenty miles of hiking this morning but couldn’t imagine camping in this! Thanks, Erik, for the story and the beautiful photographs. (Love your calendar by the way!) How did you like your winter gear? Also, are you using a lower temperature sleeping bag or does the sleeping bag liner provide additional insulation?
Very nice! Hiking in winter is an adventure! I know what you mean about trepidation when you haven’t been out for a while. Currently I am in a motel room waiting out a rainy afternoon with gale-force winds and a threat of tornadoes. Twenty miles of hiking this morning but couldn’t imagine camping in this! Thanks, Erik, for the story and the beautiful photographs. (Love your calendar by the way!) How did you like your winter gear? Also, are you using a lower temperature sleeping bag or does the sleeping bag liner provide additional insulation?
Wow, those are the same storms that came through Georgia today! My whole town is flooded! Glad to hear you're not stuck out in it!
The winter gear worked out very well. My jacket is the Apu Parka from a company called Paka. They use alpaca wool in their material and source it in a sustainable and responsible way. It was bomb proof and very warm!
My sleeping bag is rated for 20 degrees, but it's old and I don't trust that number. The liner is from Sea to Summit and adds (subtracts?) 25 degrees to the bag. It also kept me warm, except for my feet. I'm looking into some down backpacking booties to remedy that.
The storms have passed here now. Good luck on the rest of your journey!
This sounds like a great adventure, Erik. The cold adds an extra level of exhilaration doesn't it? We have a couple weeks of cold weather forecast here in the UK - this has got me thinking about digging out my winter sleeping bag and heading into the mountains one night! Lovely photos as always.
Thanks again! It was a great learning experience. The next one won't be quite as scary. I think you should definitely head out for an overnight trip! They're always a worthy experience!
I thoroughly enjoyed your story Erik. I find it interesting that you have to navigate snow and freezing temperatures as here in Australia it is blazing hot! Wonderful images too.
Thanks Gaz! It was a great learning experience, for photography and backpacking. Check out James Hider. He's based in Melbourne and writes 'A Photography Journey.' It always catches me off guard when he posts in mid winter about the hot summer temps!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Early morning in a cold tent- I wake up early even at home. I have trouble staying put in those circumstances, wide awake and uncomfortable
For sure! But the only thing worse than staying put is getting up! 😆
I got up once at 5:00 AM on a frosty morning when my sleeping bag wasn't enough. I wasn't nearly prepared- it gets cold up here in Canada.
I thought I was going to freeze to death. Too cold to even make my hands work to light the stove. I jogged around the campsite and did jumping jacks until I was able to feel my hands and feet again and fortunately thawed out.
Wow! My sense of cold is probably nothing compared to Canada cold!!
Tim I'm not sure I knew you were Canadian. Whereabouts are you? I'm in Calgary.
I'm slightly west of Red Deer, Alberta
Omg no way! We're practically neighbors! What a small world.
Just let me know if you need to borrow a cup of sugar substitute or my chainsaw in case yours breaks down
For some reason I thought you were south of that there border.
I thought the same about you! Probably because most people are. My reader stats are heavily based in America!
Such an excellent read Erik. Now i want to go dig out my backpack from the garage. Lol
Yes!! Do it!
Congratulations Erik on expanding your comfort zone - and a great story. There is nothing like extreme conditions to make you feel alive and appreciative of the power of nature - the challenge, as photographers, is to capture these feelings.
It is quite a challenge, and I learned many things!
What I love most in this post is the layered look of the mountains. So cool.
I can't imagine waking up outdoors in winter. Trying to decide if it would be refreshing or my worst nightmare lol.
The layered look is an effect of the telephoto lens, called lens compression. When I'm far away from the mountains I'm photographing and use that long lens it gives the appearance that the farther away peaks are larger and pulled in closer.
Ha! Aches, boredom, disturbed sleep... its definitely NOT refreshing! But here I am looking forward to the next one!
Very nice! Hiking in winter is an adventure! I know what you mean about trepidation when you haven’t been out for a while. Currently I am in a motel room waiting out a rainy afternoon with gale-force winds and a threat of tornadoes. Twenty miles of hiking this morning but couldn’t imagine camping in this! Thanks, Erik, for the story and the beautiful photographs. (Love your calendar by the way!) How did you like your winter gear? Also, are you using a lower temperature sleeping bag or does the sleeping bag liner provide additional insulation?
Very nice! Hiking in winter is an adventure! I know what you mean about trepidation when you haven’t been out for a while. Currently I am in a motel room waiting out a rainy afternoon with gale-force winds and a threat of tornadoes. Twenty miles of hiking this morning but couldn’t imagine camping in this! Thanks, Erik, for the story and the beautiful photographs. (Love your calendar by the way!) How did you like your winter gear? Also, are you using a lower temperature sleeping bag or does the sleeping bag liner provide additional insulation?
Wow, those are the same storms that came through Georgia today! My whole town is flooded! Glad to hear you're not stuck out in it!
The winter gear worked out very well. My jacket is the Apu Parka from a company called Paka. They use alpaca wool in their material and source it in a sustainable and responsible way. It was bomb proof and very warm!
My sleeping bag is rated for 20 degrees, but it's old and I don't trust that number. The liner is from Sea to Summit and adds (subtracts?) 25 degrees to the bag. It also kept me warm, except for my feet. I'm looking into some down backpacking booties to remedy that.
The storms have passed here now. Good luck on the rest of your journey!
This sounds like a great adventure, Erik. The cold adds an extra level of exhilaration doesn't it? We have a couple weeks of cold weather forecast here in the UK - this has got me thinking about digging out my winter sleeping bag and heading into the mountains one night! Lovely photos as always.
Thanks again! It was a great learning experience. The next one won't be quite as scary. I think you should definitely head out for an overnight trip! They're always a worthy experience!