Last night I hiked up to the west side of Hallett Peak in RMNP to shoot sunset. When I began hiking I was so warm that I only needed a short sleeve shirt. By the time I shot this photo I could barely feel my fingers and that was with large mittens and hand warmers. On the hike back down, once I reached treeline, I was able to do much of it by moonlight. It was a great night to be out.
Longs Peak about 15 minutes after sunset. The clouds would move in and swallow it and then it would appear again. The top continued to shine brightly for quite a while even though it was not receiving any direct sunlight. It was a lot more spectacular than the photos show.
Cynthia, the hike does begin at Bear Lake. It is about a 4.4 mile hike up to the top of Flattop and then probably another half mile from there to where I shot sunset. At this time of year the trail is often snow covered and I had to make my own trail for a good part of the way.
Jesse, thanks for the comments on the editing. I really feel inadequate in this area so I appreciate the encouragement.
Posted by Jesse Speer on February 4, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Build some major confidence, based upon these images. You're very good at processing in general. But these images take the processing to another level - the editing really enhances the final results. For example, the softer contrast/shadows of the last image is a perfect compliment to the subtle color ... and it really enhances the texture that dominates the image.
Posted by Jody Grigg on February 4, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Great stuff Erik, about how long in the winter conditions did it take you to get up and down.
Posted by Jack Brauer on February 4, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Great shots, Erik! Looks like an amazing hike. I particularly like the last one. That's a sweet angle on Longs, and sweet soft light too.
Posted by John Zinn on February 4, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Beautiful work Erik. I especially like #1 and #4. I agree with Jesse on the post-processing for #4 - you did a great job of highlighting the ruggedness of the mountainside.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 4, 2009 at 3:22 PM
GREAT series, Erik!
I especially like texture from the snow/ice covered cliffs in the last one.
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 4, 2009 at 3:45 PM
I was slowly scrolling down, just amazed at the photos, and then that Longs Peak shot came up and I just let out a loud "WHOA!" These are all incredible, but that last one just knocked me over.
Posted by Rod Chandler on February 4, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Erik, Thank you so much for these images. Incredible. When I grow up, I want to be just like you. I must go up there too. Rod Chandler
Posted by Mel Ladewig on February 4, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Great set Erik. That last one is really unusual but very interesting.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 4, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Your efforts paid off handsomely!
My favorite is the rime covered sign image.
I think that your optimizing was flawless. I can't tell that you did anything at all, which to me is a sign of great success in that department.
#3 looks so average just because it's among the other 3 shots. Another incredibly productive afternoon for you. I really like your treatment of the light, and comps, and your pp.
Morris
Posted by John Klotz on February 4, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Erik, other than being a monster hiker you just keep progressing in PP work with every new image. Are you still using Elements? Not that it particularly matter matters, you have the gift!
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 4, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Knowing what you went through to get these makes them all the more impressive for me. I also love the one you posted on E,S,&S. Great stuff here, Erik! BTW, how long did it take you to hike to the top in winter conditions?
Paul, I did this hike about a month ago with 50mph winds in my face and I got up there in 2.5 hours. This time it took me about 3.5 hours to get up and 1.5 to get down. Part of that was due to the lack of trail but the rest was due to too simply getting way out of shape.
Posted by Stan Rose on February 4, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Dont make me laugh (and cry) with your outta shape remarks!
Nice stuff, Erik, theyre all good but i think #2 is outstanding, the clear winner for me.
I think #1 will look great to most folks, but i cant gety past the clipped highlites in the ulhc and the huge flare in the lrhc. I think it might be salvageable with some work, make sure you keep your histogram intact and use selective saturation if necessary to tame those highlites, the flare removal wil be tough but you could do pretty well with taking out some of the red.
Posted by Don Grall on February 4, 2009 at 11:06 PM
What a haul, again? You're like the Eveready Bunny, you just don't stop! Great stuff!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on February 5, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Great series! Its good to see you getting out! Beautiful job.
Posted by Brent Doerzman on February 5, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Stunning Erik, just stunning! I love them all, but #2 and 4 are my faves! I've seen so many pics of Longs Peak, but this one stands out for sure!
Well that's just a sick series! (In the best possible way) Thanks for the inspiration - I'll have to poke my head in the gallery to see some of these BIG, eh? What the heck time did you get off of the mountain???
Thanks guys for all the encouragment! Dave, I was off the mountain by 7:30 and home before 8pm. Coming down was a lot faster than going up. Wish I had stashed some skis at treeline and I could have been home much quicker.
Posted by Jim Caffrey on February 6, 2009 at 2:51 PM
All beautiful images. I like the last two best. The light is so subtle, but the textures are so...textured.
Posted by Rick Dunn on February 8, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Late to the party, but #2 and #4 are exquisite, with #2 being my favorite; the rime and sign convey a sense of the incredible forces at work up there, which adds an extra dimension to the viewing experience.
And yeah, what Stan said about being out of shape. "I would've made it up there in 45 minutes if I wasn't out of shape (and carrying 200 lbs worth of supplies to a stranded unit of the 10th Mountain Division)...."
Posted by Art Escobado on February 9, 2009 at 1:23 AM
#4 Way well done!
Posted by Dan Walters on February 9, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Discussion
29 repliesThe images certainly tell the story of your spectacular experience. Great work.
Jesse, thanks for the comments on the editing. I really feel inadequate in this area so I appreciate the encouragement.
John
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John Zinn
Enduring Light Photography
"A moment in time... experienced, captured, preserved."
Site Updated 10/27
I especially like texture from the snow/ice covered cliffs in the last one.
My favorite is the rime covered sign image.
I think that your optimizing was flawless. I can't tell that you did anything at all, which to me is a sign of great success in that department.
Morris
Nice stuff, Erik, theyre all good but i think #2 is outstanding, the clear winner for me.
I think #1 will look great to most folks, but i cant gety past the clipped highlites in the ulhc and the huge flare in the lrhc. I think it might be salvageable with some work, make sure you keep your histogram intact and use selective saturation if necessary to tame those highlites, the flare removal wil be tough but you could do pretty well with taking out some of the red.
And yeah, what Stan said about being out of shape. "I would've made it up there in 45 minutes if I wasn't out of shape (and carrying 200 lbs worth of supplies to a stranded unit of the 10th Mountain Division)...."