We first heard James Peak called "The James" by "Glacier Paul" the guy who runs the parking area at the base of St. Mary's Glacier. He does a great job for the $5 parking fee and we see him whenever we're there in the morning. It's the closest high mountain access for us - only about :45 from Arvada. And we made two previous attempts this winter, only to be smacked down hard by extreme high winds. So, we went up there yesterday, knowing full well that it would be windy, but hoping for moon shots.
We chose Kahtula micro spikes for the 4 mile trek up, which featured blustery wind in the face for almost 100% of the hike; but the temps were fairly reasonable and we were moving. My wife, Marla is a trooper and she's all in on the photo gig, so she was up to the challenge. Our friend Marc is simply up for anything and he wanted us to see the magnificent view on top. After more than 4 hours of mixed hard-pack and postholing, we topped out on the round mound that isn't so impressive from the northeast... but the views are killer. Grays, Torreys, Evans, WP, and an unbroken ridgeline all the way to Longs looking north. That was the only direction that the light was any good and it was obvious that low clouds would block the moonrise and sunset, so we headed down with some light left. It was a hard 13'er on the last day of winter and we were thrilled to top out and get that pure winter wilderness feeling. Personally, I was happy to make just this one image.
Nice Dave, I have been meaning to get up there the last couple of years for sunrise but sunset would do.
Posted by Bert Fukuda on March 20, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Very nice. I'm definitely lovin' the B&W. We've never been up there the in winter but go up once a month in the summer to snowboard.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 20, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Aw geez, you didn't give me the color vs. b&w option earlier today. Gotta say, that b&w version is singing all the right notes with me right now. I think you could get a color image with as much punch with a little Photoshop finessing, but I'd be plenty satisfied with what you're showing here.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 20, 2011 at 11:16 PM
The view is certainly worth the hike!
Both are great. I'm leaning toward the color.
Posted by John Mumaw on March 20, 2011 at 11:17 PM
What an utterly magnificent view! As much as I love the color version, this really works so very well in b&w. A real tough choice for me!
You efforts were well rewarded, Dave. Kudos and three cheers for your wife and pal, too!
Posted by Jack Garrett on March 21, 2011 at 1:28 AM
I like them both for different reasons but lean slightly toward the B/W. SEP2 is awesome!
BW is my favorite, but the color version is no slouch either! What a view!
Posted by Darren Huski on March 21, 2011 at 6:25 AM
Each is nice and neither pulls ahead of the other. Sounds like a fun day too.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on March 21, 2011 at 9:11 AM
B&W for me, but I'm with Todd in that a little work on the color image would make it pop. Thanks for the narrative, Dave. It makes images like this so much more impressive to me.
Posted by Lance Burch on March 21, 2011 at 9:11 AM
The black & white gets my vote by a long shot. The undulating shadows are much more pronounced to my eye which adds to a greater sense of depth. In the color version the shadows are more subdued. Awesome shot. I've only ever practiced self arrest on the glacier. I'll have to make the climb now.
Spectacular view. I like the B&W for the drama, but the color one is beautiful.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 22, 2011 at 9:07 PM
I was originally thinking tie, but now tend to hedge B&W. Wonder if an increase in contrast in the color version would help, as I think apparent contrast is what swayed me B&W.
Posted by Dan Walters on March 27, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Very nice! Like the color version myself. The blue conveys cold!
Discussion
20 repliesWe chose Kahtula micro spikes for the 4 mile trek up, which featured blustery wind in the face for almost 100% of the hike; but the temps were fairly reasonable and we were moving. My wife, Marla is a trooper and she's all in on the photo gig, so she was up to the challenge. Our friend Marc is simply up for anything and he wanted us to see the magnificent view on top. After more than 4 hours of mixed hard-pack and postholing, we topped out on the round mound that isn't so impressive from the northeast... but the views are killer. Grays, Torreys, Evans, WP, and an unbroken ridgeline all the way to Longs looking north. That was the only direction that the light was any good and it was obvious that low clouds would block the moonrise and sunset, so we headed down with some light left. It was a hard 13'er on the last day of winter and we were thrilled to top out and get that pure winter wilderness feeling. Personally, I was happy to make just this one image.
So, the question is: Color?
Thanks guys and gals for your input.
Both are great. I'm leaning toward the color.
You efforts were well rewarded, Dave. Kudos and three cheers for your wife and pal, too!