Posted by Jim Salge on January 27, 2007 at 7:55 PM
Second of three predawn, sub zero adventures this week! Sorry in advance for the long read, skip to below the stars for photo techs...
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My friend Greg randomly emailed me and asked if I wanted to go into Tuckerman Ravine yesterday, and after one thing led to another, and another predawn expedition was planned.
The alarm clocks went off at 4:30AM, a quick glance at the Thermometer on the porch said 5F. Better than I thought. Called up the KMWN obs, and they were in the clear, winds "not too bad". Threw the bags in the car and off we went.
Twenty minutes later we find ourselves at the trailhead, -10F, clear skies, calm winds, and stars like you wouldn't believe. I snowshoed and carried my snowboard and camera gear, and Greg skinned up on AT skis.
Progress was slow, as I'm not in my usual winter hiking shape this year, gracias of the lack of snow, and we found ourselves a bit behind schedule. Light brightened slowly after the first mile, and we found ourselves in THICK boreal forest by the time the Pink Alpenglow started. And with the HEAVY pack (winter survival gear, camera gear, snowboard gear)...I WAS SPENT!
We made it to Hermit Lake, the goal, and the good view at about 10 minutes past sunrise, to an orange ravine, no wind, and a temps around -5F. The most spectacular morning I had seen in a long time. Crossbills were occasionally singing loudly, echoing off the walls, but besides that...silence! Finally set up, my shutter broke the silence as well.
I got some good alpenglow shots, but want a calibrated monitor to get it right. THis monitor is WAY contrasty, so I'll wait to post more. But there are a few more angles to come.
After a chat with the avalanche forecaster and the caretaker, we strapped on the boards, and took off down the ski trail. My legs were so dead that they wouldn't carry me, so we stopped about halfway and watched the diamond dust twinkle in the sun. Made it down by 9:30, and reminisced about a full day's activity over a nice cup of Hot Choc at the Joe Dodge lodge.
I need to do this more often.
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Canon 20D w/Sigma 18-200
2 Stop Soft + 3 Stop Hard GND
ISO 400
(heavy) tripod
Cropped to semi-pano
Convert to B&W
Posted by Bill Whitney on January 28, 2007 at 9:18 AM
Jim...sounds like a great trip. Like this B&W image....looking forward to the color images.
Bill
Posted by Mike McNeill on January 28, 2007 at 9:23 AM
Very nice Jim!! Even the story about getting there! It's been a couple years since I've been in Tucks, or even the White Mountains for that matter, but thats why I picked up this photography thing.........another reason to get outdoors!!
Looking forward to seeing the apenglow shots!
Posted by Nick Leadley on February 9, 2007 at 9:00 AM
The photo was worth the effort! Great conversion. Can you post a color one?
Discussion
3 replies*************************************
My friend Greg randomly emailed me and asked if I wanted to go into Tuckerman Ravine yesterday, and after one thing led to another, and another predawn expedition was planned.
The alarm clocks went off at 4:30AM, a quick glance at the Thermometer on the porch said 5F. Better than I thought. Called up the KMWN obs, and they were in the clear, winds "not too bad". Threw the bags in the car and off we went.
Twenty minutes later we find ourselves at the trailhead, -10F, clear skies, calm winds, and stars like you wouldn't believe. I snowshoed and carried my snowboard and camera gear, and Greg skinned up on AT skis.
Progress was slow, as I'm not in my usual winter hiking shape this year, gracias of the lack of snow, and we found ourselves a bit behind schedule. Light brightened slowly after the first mile, and we found ourselves in THICK boreal forest by the time the Pink Alpenglow started. And with the HEAVY pack (winter survival gear, camera gear, snowboard gear)...I WAS SPENT!
We made it to Hermit Lake, the goal, and the good view at about 10 minutes past sunrise, to an orange ravine, no wind, and a temps around -5F. The most spectacular morning I had seen in a long time. Crossbills were occasionally singing loudly, echoing off the walls, but besides that...silence! Finally set up, my shutter broke the silence as well.
I got some good alpenglow shots, but want a calibrated monitor to get it right. THis monitor is WAY contrasty, so I'll wait to post more. But there are a few more angles to come.
After a chat with the avalanche forecaster and the caretaker, we strapped on the boards, and took off down the ski trail. My legs were so dead that they wouldn't carry me, so we stopped about halfway and watched the diamond dust twinkle in the sun. Made it down by 9:30, and reminisced about a full day's activity over a nice cup of Hot Choc at the Joe Dodge lodge.
I need to do this more often.
******************************
Canon 20D w/Sigma 18-200
2 Stop Soft + 3 Stop Hard GND
ISO 400
(heavy) tripod
Cropped to semi-pano
Convert to B&W
Bill
Looking forward to seeing the apenglow shots!