I’m basically in bed with this mountain so forgive me if I come across almost laughable passionate here. When I think of “Crestone Peak,” visions of unspeakable grandeur come to mind. This one is arguably the most beautiful mountain in Colorado.
Last Sat night I was speechless…Tonight as I post, I am still speechless. I continue to shake my head in disbelief as to how I managed to get this shot, in these conditions. There’s something to be said about shooting a magnificent subject in perfect conditions, and knowing I’m the only one to have witnessed such beauty and likely will always be the only one. I suppose I’ll keep the details a secret on this one.
Posted by Peter Coskun on March 6, 2012 at 10:03 PM
That is some great light you were able to work with. I like all of them with #2 probably being my personal favorite. The light on the peak is just perfect.
Posted by Mark Stahlke on March 6, 2012 at 10:24 PM
All are excellent but the panorama (#4) really caught my eye.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 6, 2012 at 10:25 PM
#2 is also my favorite, but it's great to see all the variation in light.
Posted by Grant Collier on March 6, 2012 at 10:33 PM
I can't pick a fave, but all have nice light.
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on March 6, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Wow, Kane! This is an exceptional series! Beautiful
Posted by Arthur Lund on March 6, 2012 at 10:56 PM
Fantastic conditions with an exceptionally beautiful mountain! Right time, right place.
I can only imagine how you must have felt to witness this scene unfolding in front of you.
I think that #2 with the kiss of light and those skies has an edge over #1. A razor's edge anyway.
Beautiful work, Kane!
Kane Engelbert at his best! Damn, these are fine. #1 has my favorite kind of light, but 2 and 3 are no slouches either. Excellent processing on all, and I think the simple, centered comp really works to show off the massiveness of the mountain.
Do you have a link to a bigger version of the pano?
Posted by Bob Falcone on March 6, 2012 at 11:47 PM
Man, oh man, those are all nice! I'm also kind of partial to the pano, but that doesn't diminish how nice they all are!
Wow, great lighting for the backdrop of the mountain range for sure. Although the close ups of the mountain have wonderful detail, I wonder how the images would look if the mountain top was moved more to one edge or the other. Although I don't believe the rule of thirds should always be followed, maybe in this instance maybe it would work better? For that reason, I really like the pano. SImply stunning colors and exposure!
Posted by Art Escobado on March 7, 2012 at 1:10 AM
great shots! #2 really pops !!
Posted by Debbie Yarra on March 7, 2012 at 1:15 AM
Love them all Kane! The sky in each one of them is making me drool. The detail in the mountain is wonderful. The wispy clouds near the peak are like the cherry on top. I think I like #1 the best.....Maybe it's best to say I would love to call them all my own. Not to sound ignorant, but where in Colorado can you see this view of Crestone Peak. It's a very beautiful mountain I've never seen it before. I love the jagged nature of it's peak. I'm not sure I understand why you are the only one who will ever see this mountain. Please explain. Thanks and well done!
That last bit of alpenglow on #2 puts it over the top, Kane. I might crop the bottom trees, but it's a remarkable image either way. That's what we go out for, eh? The chance to bring something like this home? Nicely done.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 7, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Gorgeous light and color. Your passion is coming through loud and clear with these!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 7, 2012 at 11:01 AM
All are definite keepers, imo. What great sky colors, mountain details, and wisps of clouds.
For minor nits, the dark trees at the bottom of #2 tend to grab my eyes (more so than in the other images), so a crop may be a consideration, and maybe add some sky if there is some to do so as the peak seem a little cramped to me.
I am not familiar with Crestone, so you had me googling hikes and images for an hour last night. I like the jaggedness of the peak.
Posted by Jack Brauer on March 7, 2012 at 11:05 AM
AWESOME!!!! The first three are all stunning... Picking a favorite amongst those is impossible.
These are wonderful - I think #1 is my favourite. Thanks for sharing!
We really are spoiled for choice of stunning mountains in Colorado.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on March 7, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Some stunning work here, Kane. What a sight to have witnessed! No critique necessary.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on March 7, 2012 at 12:32 PM
The Crestones are my favorite. Awesome mountain and awesome light! 2.1.3.4. is my order of preference. All have a different mood with the subtle difference in light.
Love them all as others have stated, but 2 is also my favorite because of the sunshine aspect. It sure is wonderful when all the elements come together. It is really rare for a sunrise to be diffused by clouds "just enough" and still be easily visible without too much contrast to deal with. Congratulations on investing the time it took to be in position for this one, and then having the knowledge to capitalize on it!
Posted by Brian Gatlin on March 7, 2012 at 1:52 PM
absolutely stunning! I go with #1, but no need to choose, they are all fantastic.
Wow Kane, home run series of pictures. All of them are great, but I also give the slightest of nods to #2 because of the first light on the peak. Out freaking standing.
Hi Debbie, here’s the long, wordy reasoning for me to claim a first ascent. BTW, I don’t take claiming first ascents lightly; I feel the need to explain.
Attaining a birds-eye view of the west face of Crestone Peak isn't easy, especially at this straight-on perspective at 11,870-ft. I have spent almost 18 years researching and climbing mountains and never have viewed my chosen perspective from any mountaineering website, and I will say there is plenty of route beta on the internet for the Sangre De Cristo Mountains.
I shot the close-up images at 200mm. I don’t have a bigger zoom than that, but even a bigger zoom would not have the straight-on view as posted.
Crestone sees plenty of traffic in Spring/Summer, however the surrounding summits that encompass Crestone Peak invites much less. However I have climbed all of the thirteeners that encompass Crestone Peak and the Crestone Needle and never gained this perspective of the West Face. All known routes to the more obscure encompassing peaks do not include the route I used to shoot these images. Pertaining to my route to shoot these images; humans just don’t climb steep rocky, tree covered terrain to stay in the trees for 4,000-ft. People want views or an objective like a summit. Animals do however, so occasionally mountain masochists will look for game trails to help escort oneself to their remote/obscure objective.
In my case for last Sat, I began my hike in a place that has been regarded as Private Property, and has also been regard as NOT Private property. Lot’s of public confusion; however I just parked my car and went. The rib of the main ridge I used to get to my spot is not the obvious starting point to any notable summits on the ridgeline heading east, more specifically the beautiful rarely climbed 13er “Pico Asilado.” My selected rib of ground tops out at about 11,900-ft, then makes a ridiculous, highly technical sudden jump to 12,500-ft. Anybody in their right mind would not use this rib of ridge to climb Pico Asilado, when a more gentle rib of ridge lies just south. BTW, that rib doesn’t see human feet either, the standard route of Pico starts way up the Cottonwood drainage. Plus I’ve been up that route too a few years ago to make the summit of some lonely 12,000-ft peaks.
I selected this ridge because of Google Earth and only Google Earth. It's impossible to locate this spot without satelitte technology. I found a 10-ft section of open view rock outcropping within a sea of trees. The ridge is entirely tree covered until you reach this rock outcropping about 2,000-ft of vertical gain from the parked car. I have to admit I was not entirely confident the route would even go, let alone not have any trees shooting up into my frame. I spent a lot of time just hoping and praying my beat-down of a hike would pan out.
Here’s the slam dunk kicker for me claiming this spot as a “First Ascent.” The ridge actually narrows up enough for the last half mile where you must make a choice, stay directly on the ridge crest to continue, or turn around and go home. And while on that ridge crest I endured quite the bushwhack for about a half mile; breaking dead tree branches over and over, just to stay on my route to my objective. Humans just could not have ever been on this route without ripping through so much deadfall. If so, then I wouldn’t have endured the frustrating tree limb breaking party for about an hour. I suppose I persevered.
Suhhhweeet!
I knew you would get this shot eventually--first ascent or not its definitely the first killer shot from anywhere near that vantage point.
Some folks claim that the physical difficulty of getting a shot doesn't mean squat for a photo--i beg to differ, i think if you suffer for your art you become more inspired by the victory, and the results reflect that joy of victory. Just MO. But it's why i tell myself every day that im gonna suck it in and get back in climbing shape before it's too late, cause i still have dreams. Im glad you're pursuing yours.
Posted by Scott Fricke on March 10, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Simply gorgeous Kane! #2 is my favorite, I think the bit of light hitting the peak makes the difference and I think the snow pops a little better in that image, but all the others are exceptional as well. This must have been a great evening to be out there alone. Thanks for sharing the photos and the story, certainly inspiring!
Posted by Dan Walters on March 10, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Discussion
32 repliesI’m basically in bed with this mountain so forgive me if I come across almost laughable passionate here. When I think of “Crestone Peak,” visions of unspeakable grandeur come to mind. This one is arguably the most beautiful mountain in Colorado.
Last Sat night I was speechless…Tonight as I post, I am still speechless. I continue to shake my head in disbelief as to how I managed to get this shot, in these conditions. There’s something to be said about shooting a magnificent subject in perfect conditions, and knowing I’m the only one to have witnessed such beauty and likely will always be the only one. I suppose I’ll keep the details a secret on this one.
Comments and critique welcome.
I can only imagine how you must have felt to witness this scene unfolding in front of you.
I think that #2 with the kiss of light and those skies has an edge over #1. A razor's edge anyway.
Beautiful work, Kane!
Joe Rogers
Do you have a link to a bigger version of the pano?
For minor nits, the dark trees at the bottom of #2 tend to grab my eyes (more so than in the other images), so a crop may be a consideration, and maybe add some sky if there is some to do so as the peak seem a little cramped to me.
I am not familiar with Crestone, so you had me googling hikes and images for an hour last night. I like the jaggedness of the peak.
We really are spoiled for choice of stunning mountains in Colorado.
Attaining a birds-eye view of the west face of Crestone Peak isn't easy, especially at this straight-on perspective at 11,870-ft. I have spent almost 18 years researching and climbing mountains and never have viewed my chosen perspective from any mountaineering website, and I will say there is plenty of route beta on the internet for the Sangre De Cristo Mountains.
I shot the close-up images at 200mm. I don’t have a bigger zoom than that, but even a bigger zoom would not have the straight-on view as posted.
Crestone sees plenty of traffic in Spring/Summer, however the surrounding summits that encompass Crestone Peak invites much less. However I have climbed all of the thirteeners that encompass Crestone Peak and the Crestone Needle and never gained this perspective of the West Face. All known routes to the more obscure encompassing peaks do not include the route I used to shoot these images. Pertaining to my route to shoot these images; humans just don’t climb steep rocky, tree covered terrain to stay in the trees for 4,000-ft. People want views or an objective like a summit. Animals do however, so occasionally mountain masochists will look for game trails to help escort oneself to their remote/obscure objective.
In my case for last Sat, I began my hike in a place that has been regarded as Private Property, and has also been regard as NOT Private property. Lot’s of public confusion; however I just parked my car and went. The rib of the main ridge I used to get to my spot is not the obvious starting point to any notable summits on the ridgeline heading east, more specifically the beautiful rarely climbed 13er “Pico Asilado.” My selected rib of ground tops out at about 11,900-ft, then makes a ridiculous, highly technical sudden jump to 12,500-ft. Anybody in their right mind would not use this rib of ridge to climb Pico Asilado, when a more gentle rib of ridge lies just south. BTW, that rib doesn’t see human feet either, the standard route of Pico starts way up the Cottonwood drainage. Plus I’ve been up that route too a few years ago to make the summit of some lonely 12,000-ft peaks.
I selected this ridge because of Google Earth and only Google Earth. It's impossible to locate this spot without satelitte technology. I found a 10-ft section of open view rock outcropping within a sea of trees. The ridge is entirely tree covered until you reach this rock outcropping about 2,000-ft of vertical gain from the parked car. I have to admit I was not entirely confident the route would even go, let alone not have any trees shooting up into my frame. I spent a lot of time just hoping and praying my beat-down of a hike would pan out.
Here’s the slam dunk kicker for me claiming this spot as a “First Ascent.” The ridge actually narrows up enough for the last half mile where you must make a choice, stay directly on the ridge crest to continue, or turn around and go home. And while on that ridge crest I endured quite the bushwhack for about a half mile; breaking dead tree branches over and over, just to stay on my route to my objective. Humans just could not have ever been on this route without ripping through so much deadfall. If so, then I wouldn’t have endured the frustrating tree limb breaking party for about an hour. I suppose I persevered.
I knew you would get this shot eventually--first ascent or not its definitely the first killer shot from anywhere near that vantage point.
Some folks claim that the physical difficulty of getting a shot doesn't mean squat for a photo--i beg to differ, i think if you suffer for your art you become more inspired by the victory, and the results reflect that joy of victory. Just MO. But it's why i tell myself every day that im gonna suck it in and get back in climbing shape before it's too late, cause i still have dreams. Im glad you're pursuing yours.