I finished climbing my last 13er in the Gore Range about 4 years ago. I have to admit, if I’m proud of anything regarding my climbing years, its that I climbed those peaks during a time when the Gore Range was a secret and attaining most of the summits required one to just figure it out. From those summits, I had the unique opportunity to peer down into vast virtually unexplored terrain that tempted my ego to explore. I used topo maps and relied on Theron Welch and his vague trip reports. Vague for a reason, you have to work to see that beauty. Meaning, you need to dig into the quiet world of Gore specialties and do your research. The western approaches are readily available on the internet; however an approach from the east might challenge your persistence to extreme research.
There really is a universal feeling among us “Gore Cores” that these mountains and their special places remain a mystery to 99.999% of Colorado’s populations. These mountains are steep, require long approaches and substantial vertical gain, and promise special tid bits of painful memories…that is…if you want to see the unexplored scenes.
There is nothing like a “Goretastic Bushwhack.” Just ask Jody Grigg! Just ask Gerry Roach, where he coined the term. Expect no trail, overgrown 15-ft willow infested vegetation, marshy conditions, cliffy terrain, slippery steep slopes, crossing from one side of the valley to the other…a few times, teetering boulder fields … and best of all…loads of downfall to negotiate. Up and over log after log after log with a full pack, negotiating mosquitoes and bear scat should keep your attention too. Add in some rain and the trip becomes inhumane and a fight to stay alive.
I remember Jody Grigg sending out signals three years ago that he had his sights on “Shangri-la” (my label.) He emailed me speaking to area specifics needing info. Back then I was a “climber that carried a camera” and I knew he was a “real photographer that loved to climb.” Little did I know I would eventually migrate into a world of "mountain photography" too. I was vague with my route beta on purpose. I knew of Shangri-la from nearby summits but had never been there. That drainage was one of maybe two or three in the Gore Range proper I hadn’t explored. Who the heck is this guy? I had worked my ass off researching and climbing all these peaks and this guy wants a reduced learning curve? Nope. Later, he figured it out himself. I remember his post on NPN “In Search of Zen.” I remember being upset and jealous. Upset he found the Shangri-la and photographed it to show the world. I remember reading his post and minimizing his brutal account of his adventure.
Fast forward to 2012, a lot has changed. I consider Jody a friend; a freaking amazing photographer that continues to inspire me. Although we haven’t been out together to shoot, we have numerous respectful conversations under our belt. I know in time our paths will cross. I’m confident he feels the same.
I started planning for Shangri-la years ago but just never got around to committing to getting up in this place. What makes this place so photographically enduring is high concentration of alpine water tarns. “Tarn”- shallow, twisting pools of calm water surrounded by verdant grasses and wildflowers. In all my research and visits to Colorado mountains I have yet to discover a place that harbors so many of these spectacular water tarns at alpine (12,000-ft) elevation. As a landscape photographer, we live for the ultimate foreground comp right? This place is world class in my opinion.
I told Stan Rose about it a few months back hoping for a partner but decided I needed to endure the pain first before inviting another potential luckless soul. I was looking at a 22 mile backpack with about 4,500-ft of vertical gain; 8 miles of that, Goretastic bushwhacking!
A few weeks ago I just decided to go for it. I wanted two nights up in there but I just wasn’t sure I would even make it with all my camera gear due to the huge route finding dilemma and bushwhack involved. So I decided I would make a recon trip and commit to one night only.
I short-cut the private property issue and within an hour I get my first adrenaline rush of the day. While off trail, simultaneously, two bear cubs claw up two immediate and adjacent aspen trees directly in my way-pointed path. I spot em, and knew Momma Bear would be close. Ears peaked; residing at the base of the two trees was Momma. Time to yell and scream, and circumvent into a different route.
A few hours later, after 2 miles of off trail and 5 miles of maintained single track, it’s time to leave the comforts of the trail and head up into the unknown. The next 4 miles would test my will and skill. The already above mentioned “Goretastic Bushwhack” description pretty much sums it up.
It took me 4 hours to go three miles. I decided I would just lug the pack until I reached the heart of the tarn area. As I made elevation the scenes became better and better. I knew something special waited for me at 12,500-ft. That was enough to keep me motivated to carry all the gear to a spot smack dab in the middle of Shangi –la.
Needles to say I was impressed beyond belief with the area. I can’t remember an area that feels as remote as this place. Zero evidence of man and pure, untouched riparian alpine splendor. I was high as a kite and knew it wouldn’t take long to find fantastic comp. I was so tired that I wanted to sleep, however it was 7:00pm and time to shoot! I quickly set up my tent, and within 5 minutes I found my first shot. Within 10 min I found my second shot. Within 15 minutes I found my third shot. You get the picture. Sunset was unforgettable.
The next morning was even better. I woke up 20 minutes before sunrise and stepped outside my tent for more excellent composition. There was cloud cover and I knew the potential was there for an “epic.”
Then it happened! Life couldn’t get any better.
Well, there goes the light at 6:45am. Clouds shroud Shangri-la and it starts raining. “Seriously?” I’m 11 miles from my car, it’s 7:00am and it’s gonna rain like hell on me? Within a half hr I’ve basically immersed myself into a swimming pool. So much for rain gear. Everything is soaking wet (except my camera) and my feet squish for the next 6 hours. Survival mode kicks in…I wont suffer hypothermia. I must keep moving through this impossible terrain because I am cold and I have a long day in front of me. How about rain for the next 5 hrs….
Stops are brief. No bears on the way back. My body takes a beating.
I slip by.
I have two black big toenails today from my constant efforts to stay warm that day. Hopefully I won’t lose em again. Damn things take 6 months to grow back!
After all that, I want to go back for three days. Maybe I can squeeze this trip into this year. The potential for yellow and red tundra, “Zen pools” and ultimate “Reflections” got me dreaming of “Shangri-la.”
While viewing the following images, realize all of these shots were taken within 300 yards of my tent. I was just too tired to travel and explore the many, many tarns in the area. I couldn’t even locate John Fielders and Jody’s tarn! This place is just Loaded with potential.
Awesome set Kane! Quite a location! I'm with Bill about Zen Pools, but Eloquent Tarn is at least as good. That little green horn of water plants complementing the comma of grass is really something. And I really like Alpine Rush and Undisturbed as well.
Fantastic set, Kane! You were blessed with some great light at least for all that effort.
Yeah, you, Jody, and John are all crazy men! I know you don't go through that kind of torture just to photograph places like this, but for the experience of being there. But, I sure am glad you are as good as you are to bring back gems like these to enjoy.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 26, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Incredible story, even MORE incredible photos!
Posted by Glenn Randall on August 26, 2012 at 11:52 AM
I admire the huge effort AND the photos! Glad it didn't start raining an hour BEFORE sunrise!
Posted by Don Grall on August 26, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Beautiful stuff, Kane. Favorites are Zen Pool and Alpine Rush. I think I'll wait till they allow a backpack-jetpack in a wilderness area before attempting that hike. Or maybe I could take up skydiving, and "fly" in that way and only have to walk out in one direction. I'm jealous of your physical conditioning and mental toughness!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on August 26, 2012 at 12:46 PM
The story is as good as the images. Your story gives glimpses of the person behind the camera. Electric Sunrise and Alpine Rush sunrise are my favorites from this beautiful set.
Posted by Pam Colander on August 26, 2012 at 3:32 PM
What a wonderful collection Kane. It is so worth the effort to reach these special places. You certainly had lush conditions, way better than JF had in his shot. Did you by any chance take any intimate shots of the delightful green water plants in the LL frame of "Eloquent Tarn" ?
Posted by Scott Fricke on August 26, 2012 at 4:03 PM
Just incredible images Kane, well worth all the suffering! Great story to accompany the images as well.
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on August 26, 2012 at 4:27 PM
What an awesome place and I am so glad you shared the story as well as the images! I love the back story almost as much as the images. Excellent work as always, Kane!
Posted by John Mumaw on August 26, 2012 at 7:35 PM
It's hard to believe that such a scene lies so far away from a 'civilized' hike. Undoubtedly this is why it's remained unspoiled and so rarely photographed. You really did this place justice, too. Simply a remarkable set of images, Kane. And your words really brought this place to life and, as Doug noted, offered glimpses of the person behind the camera.
Acknowledging Mr. Fielder and Mr. Grigg's accomplishments was an honorable thing for you to do. I appreciate those links and I tip my hat to you.
This work deserves a far larger audience and I hope that it receives such in the future. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by Ken Henke on August 26, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Really enjoyed reading the story behind those fabulous images. Nice to know there still are "hidden" gems in Colorado.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on August 27, 2012 at 12:09 AM
I remember Jody's post a few years back and how envious I was of his shots. Yours are no different. What a spectacular place and I'm glad to see it through your lens as its not something I'll ever get a chance to lay my eyes on (unless someone helicopters me in!). Thanks for torturing yourself to bring these to us!
Posted by Roger Rouch on August 27, 2012 at 8:14 AM
That is an extremely impressive set! It is nice to know that Colorado still has some remote beauty fairly close to Denver for those with the ambition and ability to get there.
Thanks for showing these!
Posted by Jeff Hackett on August 27, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Thanks for sharing, great story on the adventure! All three images are amazing.
Cannot add anything else to what others have already said.
All I can say that your pics are always an inspiration.
Thanks for sharing ..
Posted by Darren Huski on August 27, 2012 at 9:28 PM
Great image. Greater story!!! :-)
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 28, 2012 at 8:41 PM
Wow, man... WOW! Every shot is a masterpiece, and your writing tells a great story to go along with it. The Gores were my favorites when I lived on the Front Range... like the Needle Mountains are over here on the west side. Wild and rugged. I remember bushwhacking into another east-side drainage - that damn boggy terrain! Along the way (in a couple inches of fresh fall snow) I stumbled across a pile of freshly gnawed bones with blood all over the place in the snow. Needless to say I was at full attention!
Also - props for not revealing the location of Shangri-La! Half the fun of these journeys is the research, the adventure, and the sense of exploration - all of which is lost when people publish route descriptions. After seeing yours and Jody's photos, I'd love to also visit that spot - but I'd also love to figure it out for myself, to solve the mystery on my own. Most people these days want instant gratification and don't have any clue about that deeper aspect of things.
This is a wonderful collection, Kane. "Electric Sunrise" has a wonderful balance between the delicacy in the foreground, and the drama of the sky above; "Alpine Rush" has that wonderful color in the reflections in the stream leading the viewer into the frame, and "Undisturbed" may be my personal favorite, just for the story and the obviously pristine landscape.
Really well done. I haven't travelled through many of Colorado's mountains, but these seem to capture some of the essence.
Posted by Jimmy Gekas on August 29, 2012 at 7:51 PM
Awesome!!!!! Loving the entire series and the great story.
A big Thanks to all my NPN freinds. As always I appreciate your candid feedback and your nice words motivate me to move forward. Im headed out this weekend for two days...so lets see what happens!
Posted by Stan Rose on September 1, 2012 at 1:46 AM
You da man, Kane!
Thanks for sparing me the pain...my finger is slowly mending, im almost pain free, and im finally able to work out again, but 3 months of almost no activity have taken its toll--ill be back though, and i need someone to push me so keep taunting me with these inspiring shots! Off to the Bisti now...
Posted by Kane Engelbert on September 1, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Discussion
25 replieshttp://www.kaephotography.com/gallery/zen/
I finished climbing my last 13er in the Gore Range about 4 years ago. I have to admit, if I’m proud of anything regarding my climbing years, its that I climbed those peaks during a time when the Gore Range was a secret and attaining most of the summits required one to just figure it out. From those summits, I had the unique opportunity to peer down into vast virtually unexplored terrain that tempted my ego to explore. I used topo maps and relied on Theron Welch and his vague trip reports. Vague for a reason, you have to work to see that beauty. Meaning, you need to dig into the quiet world of Gore specialties and do your research. The western approaches are readily available on the internet; however an approach from the east might challenge your persistence to extreme research.
There really is a universal feeling among us “Gore Cores” that these mountains and their special places remain a mystery to 99.999% of Colorado’s populations. These mountains are steep, require long approaches and substantial vertical gain, and promise special tid bits of painful memories…that is…if you want to see the unexplored scenes.
There is nothing like a “Goretastic Bushwhack.” Just ask Jody Grigg! Just ask Gerry Roach, where he coined the term. Expect no trail, overgrown 15-ft willow infested vegetation, marshy conditions, cliffy terrain, slippery steep slopes, crossing from one side of the valley to the other…a few times, teetering boulder fields … and best of all…loads of downfall to negotiate. Up and over log after log after log with a full pack, negotiating mosquitoes and bear scat should keep your attention too. Add in some rain and the trip becomes inhumane and a fight to stay alive.
I remember Jody Grigg sending out signals three years ago that he had his sights on “Shangri-la” (my label.) He emailed me speaking to area specifics needing info. Back then I was a “climber that carried a camera” and I knew he was a “real photographer that loved to climb.” Little did I know I would eventually migrate into a world of "mountain photography" too. I was vague with my route beta on purpose. I knew of Shangri-la from nearby summits but had never been there. That drainage was one of maybe two or three in the Gore Range proper I hadn’t explored. Who the heck is this guy? I had worked my ass off researching and climbing all these peaks and this guy wants a reduced learning curve? Nope. Later, he figured it out himself. I remember his post on NPN “In Search of Zen.” I remember being upset and jealous. Upset he found the Shangri-la and photographed it to show the world. I remember reading his post and minimizing his brutal account of his adventure.
Fast forward to 2012, a lot has changed. I consider Jody a friend; a freaking amazing photographer that continues to inspire me. Although we haven’t been out together to shoot, we have numerous respectful conversations under our belt. I know in time our paths will cross. I’m confident he feels the same.
I started planning for Shangri-la years ago but just never got around to committing to getting up in this place. What makes this place so photographically enduring is high concentration of alpine water tarns. “Tarn”- shallow, twisting pools of calm water surrounded by verdant grasses and wildflowers. In all my research and visits to Colorado mountains I have yet to discover a place that harbors so many of these spectacular water tarns at alpine (12,000-ft) elevation. As a landscape photographer, we live for the ultimate foreground comp right? This place is world class in my opinion.
I told Stan Rose about it a few months back hoping for a partner but decided I needed to endure the pain first before inviting another potential luckless soul. I was looking at a 22 mile backpack with about 4,500-ft of vertical gain; 8 miles of that, Goretastic bushwhacking!
A few weeks ago I just decided to go for it. I wanted two nights up in there but I just wasn’t sure I would even make it with all my camera gear due to the huge route finding dilemma and bushwhack involved. So I decided I would make a recon trip and commit to one night only.
I short-cut the private property issue and within an hour I get my first adrenaline rush of the day. While off trail, simultaneously, two bear cubs claw up two immediate and adjacent aspen trees directly in my way-pointed path. I spot em, and knew Momma Bear would be close. Ears peaked; residing at the base of the two trees was Momma. Time to yell and scream, and circumvent into a different route.
A few hours later, after 2 miles of off trail and 5 miles of maintained single track, it’s time to leave the comforts of the trail and head up into the unknown. The next 4 miles would test my will and skill. The already above mentioned “Goretastic Bushwhack” description pretty much sums it up.
It took me 4 hours to go three miles. I decided I would just lug the pack until I reached the heart of the tarn area. As I made elevation the scenes became better and better. I knew something special waited for me at 12,500-ft. That was enough to keep me motivated to carry all the gear to a spot smack dab in the middle of Shangi –la.
Needles to say I was impressed beyond belief with the area. I can’t remember an area that feels as remote as this place. Zero evidence of man and pure, untouched riparian alpine splendor. I was high as a kite and knew it wouldn’t take long to find fantastic comp. I was so tired that I wanted to sleep, however it was 7:00pm and time to shoot! I quickly set up my tent, and within 5 minutes I found my first shot. Within 10 min I found my second shot. Within 15 minutes I found my third shot. You get the picture. Sunset was unforgettable.
The next morning was even better. I woke up 20 minutes before sunrise and stepped outside my tent for more excellent composition. There was cloud cover and I knew the potential was there for an “epic.”
Then it happened! Life couldn’t get any better.
Well, there goes the light at 6:45am. Clouds shroud Shangri-la and it starts raining. “Seriously?” I’m 11 miles from my car, it’s 7:00am and it’s gonna rain like hell on me? Within a half hr I’ve basically immersed myself into a swimming pool. So much for rain gear. Everything is soaking wet (except my camera) and my feet squish for the next 6 hours. Survival mode kicks in…I wont suffer hypothermia. I must keep moving through this impossible terrain because I am cold and I have a long day in front of me. How about rain for the next 5 hrs….
Stops are brief. No bears on the way back. My body takes a beating.
I slip by.
I have two black big toenails today from my constant efforts to stay warm that day. Hopefully I won’t lose em again. Damn things take 6 months to grow back!
After all that, I want to go back for three days. Maybe I can squeeze this trip into this year. The potential for yellow and red tundra, “Zen pools” and ultimate “Reflections” got me dreaming of “Shangri-la.”
While viewing the following images, realize all of these shots were taken within 300 yards of my tent. I was just too tired to travel and explore the many, many tarns in the area. I couldn’t even locate John Fielders and Jody’s tarn! This place is just Loaded with potential.
Jody, you interested in a revisit?
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=45885&CGISESSID=e278cccf53b38b4022f20387d21fcb02&u=6561
http://www.johnfielder.com/detail.php?id=880&category=MR
Zen Pools is my favorite.
Yeah, you, Jody, and John are all crazy men! I know you don't go through that kind of torture just to photograph places like this, but for the experience of being there. But, I sure am glad you are as good as you are to bring back gems like these to enjoy.
Acknowledging Mr. Fielder and Mr. Grigg's accomplishments was an honorable thing for you to do. I appreciate those links and I tip my hat to you.
This work deserves a far larger audience and I hope that it receives such in the future. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks for showing these!
All I can say that your pics are always an inspiration.
Thanks for sharing ..
Also - props for not revealing the location of Shangri-La! Half the fun of these journeys is the research, the adventure, and the sense of exploration - all of which is lost when people publish route descriptions. After seeing yours and Jody's photos, I'd love to also visit that spot - but I'd also love to figure it out for myself, to solve the mystery on my own. Most people these days want instant gratification and don't have any clue about that deeper aspect of things.
Really well done. I haven't travelled through many of Colorado's mountains, but these seem to capture some of the essence.
Nathan
Thanks for sparing me the pain...my finger is slowly mending, im almost pain free, and im finally able to work out again, but 3 months of almost no activity have taken its toll--ill be back though, and i need someone to push me so keep taunting me with these inspiring shots! Off to the Bisti now...