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Above the Clouds WC
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Above the Clouds WC

by Paula LeVay

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted July 18, 20173,522 views2 comments
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” (Edward Abbey)

This image is a pano of two shots taken several weeks ago during a thrilling flight around Denali.  The flight almost didn't happen because of inclement weather with low cloud cover during the previous 24 hours.  Just after dinner at the Skyline Lodge in Kantishna, Alaska, the top of Denali became visible, the pilot said "lets go" and we were off!  It was an unforgettable experience as we flew higher and higher over mountain passes approaching Denali.  I mistakenly volunteered to sit in the co-pilot's seat during the flight and had to struggle to position myself in such a way as to get some clear shots of the mountains without obstructing wing parts.  The flight ended way too soon when the clouds closed in around the mountain and the pilot made a quick descent to find a visible route back to the airstrip.

5D III
24-105
F 8
1/1000
28 mm
 

Comments

2 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 19, 2017 at 12:31 PM
Paula, the view certainly fits the quote in looking quite forbidding.  I like the tension between the mountain peaks and the river (or is that a glacier?)  The touch of blue sky is a good addition.  I do wish for a larger view, especially to see the river better.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Paula LeVay on July 19, 2017 at 4:42 PM
Mark, it was a little disorienting for me to know exactly where we were throughout the entire flight. The pilot did point out many of the surrounding landmarks but I remember Denali standing apart because it towered over the other mountain peaks.   Looking a the Denali N. P. map, Denali is surrounded by glaciers so I am sure it's a glacier rather than a flowing river. 
Registered on July 29, 2016, 66 Posts, 270 Comments