Cathedral Peak

This last Friday I headed up to Aspen to hike and ride the Pearl Couloir on Cathedral Peak. Cathedral is a high 13er that, like much of the Elk Range, is very steep, jagged, and spectacular.

On all my recent ski/snowboard trips, I've been using my Sigma DP1 camera, which has a fixed length 28mm equiv. wideangle lens. Surprisingly the fixed length lens has been a big help to me for ski/snowboarding shooting... first off it's a perfect length for capturing both the skier and the surrounding terrain. Also, since I am familiar with the single angle of view that I have to work with, it becomes easier and faster to plan compositionally... I have a much better idea of where I have to be in relation to the skier.

Anyways, the terrain on this mountain was very photogenic, and I'm really happy with the shots I got, so I wanted to share!

Some tricky, exposed scrambling up to the summit ridgeline.

Skiing down. I've posted some more photos and text from the trip here: http://www.mountainphotographer.com/cathedrals-pearl/

you tha man Jack, that looks like a nasty climb

I really like the second shot. I know how hard it is to capture the steepness of climbs such as this when shooting from directly above or below. However, you did a good job and the position of the climber helps. Looks like a technical axe would have been handy.

Great shots! I got so exhausted from thinking abut the climb that I had to take a nap.

I like the perspective on these. Most shots like this are taken from below. But this angle really gives you a good view of how steep the terrain is and how crazy it is to ski something like this. I'm going to go lie down, cause I'm tired too and have a good case of vertigo!

These are really cool. Thanks for sharing.

RichieV

Way cool, Jack. All three are well composed and give the viewer a good idea of what it's like to be there. You just can't get enough of that white stuff, can you??

Awesome viewpoint and pics! Love the degree of pitch these shots show. It reaffirms to me why I wouldn't think of doing this, but I sure do enjoy the results of what you backcountry junkies do.

Awesome, as usual!

The second and third ones are just amazing images, Jack. Great work

I'm tired just looking at them. You translated the intesity of the climb into each of these shots! I get the feeling I just made the climb myself! WOW! I'd be too scared to ski down though.

Jack, I love these high mountain shots you take, especially the ones in the snow. You must be in pretty good shape because this kind of thing is not easy. I also really like the shot you have of your buddy near the top along the summit line ridge. Very nice!

All fantastic Jack - great placement of people, awesome lines through the photos, just all around great. And dang, it looks like a helluva lotta fun

I really like the perspective and comp on the first image.

Great sense of being there that you captured, nice perspective. Looks like fun and a huge challenge!

Congrats on pulling off another epic, Jack. Nice job showing the verticality of the Elks and making it back in one piece. Sigma should be paying you to own that little camera! "The adventurer's choice"

Thanks all for your comments!!

Those are fantastic action shots, Jack.

Looks like you guys had a good time.