Posted by Kane Engelbert on February 10, 2013 at 11:27 PM
I spent some time last week in my backyard, the Roaring Fork Valley. I had a dream to photograph the great Chair Mountain form the ridgeline just south of McClure Pass called Huntsman Ridge. It snowed 7 inches that night.
A wrong turn at ridgeline at 6:00am sent me away from my dream. Instead, the fog rolled in and enveloped my grand vista. The sun peaked, and all I could do was relish in the purest Winter Scene I’ve been a part of for years. Rime Ice and bare stunted aspen trees…couldn’t get any better than that…the ice coated every branch, every twig and every piece that remained.
Enough snow fell that night to send a poor soul over McClure Pass, with their car, for one last breath.
After my hike, close to 11:00am, I travelled south over McClure to research a scene. I moved maybe a quarter mile south and I had to stop. A stack of cars sells me a bad scene. A Helicopter on the highway sells me a bad moment. I soon realize a poor soul was laid to rest and nobody knew about it until it was way too late. I guess that’s what happens when you’re out of cell phone reception, and you lose control of your protector that morning, your car. Two hours later the driver of a snowplow sees tracks veering off the road and discovers his worst fears.
I remember waking up that morning at 3:00am jumping in my car, and thinking… “too much black ice on these roads, I should stay home and sleep.” The draw of something special made me keep going. Somebody else kept going that day too. My “special” was a another’s worst “nightmare.” Life is delicate.
In memory of you. You lost your life less than a half mile from me. Here’s what Gods beauty showed 1,300-ft above your demise. It’s a microcosm of your life, but hopefully there’s peace in these photos. I feel small.
Posted by Peter Coskun on February 10, 2013 at 11:55 PM
That is very tragic and I always worry about these things when I head north here during winter. Not only for my sake, but for others as well. Glad this did not happen to you as well. On a more positive note, the images you captured are beautiful with my favorite being warm light cool light. The definitely portray stillness and peacefulness.
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 11, 2013 at 2:06 AM
Sorry to hear about the loss of life. The images you posted are absolutely stunning Kane.
Posted by Jack Brauer on February 11, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Sad story, but great photos. #3, warm light cool light, is definitely the showcase shot I'd say!
Posted by Morris McClung on February 11, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Life is fragile and it's fleeting. I think we as people used to appreciate what time we had more when we were confronted with loss more frequently and more personally. We are fortunate to live during this time in history and not when life ended for most so much earlier than it does for most of us. It is certainly a reminder to us to appreciate who and what we have even more.
Your series is excellent, Kane. All are done so well, but I really like "Fluid Morning," and "Winter's Contrast."
Posted by John Mumaw on February 11, 2013 at 7:12 PM
I like 'Winter's Contrast' and 'Fluid Morning' very much.
Posted by Stan Rose on February 13, 2013 at 1:00 AM
SIlver in Blue is cool, but Fluid Morning is AWESOME!
Discussion
7 repliesA wrong turn at ridgeline at 6:00am sent me away from my dream. Instead, the fog rolled in and enveloped my grand vista. The sun peaked, and all I could do was relish in the purest Winter Scene I’ve been a part of for years. Rime Ice and bare stunted aspen trees…couldn’t get any better than that…the ice coated every branch, every twig and every piece that remained.
Enough snow fell that night to send a poor soul over McClure Pass, with their car, for one last breath.
After my hike, close to 11:00am, I travelled south over McClure to research a scene. I moved maybe a quarter mile south and I had to stop. A stack of cars sells me a bad scene. A Helicopter on the highway sells me a bad moment. I soon realize a poor soul was laid to rest and nobody knew about it until it was way too late. I guess that’s what happens when you’re out of cell phone reception, and you lose control of your protector that morning, your car. Two hours later the driver of a snowplow sees tracks veering off the road and discovers his worst fears.
I remember waking up that morning at 3:00am jumping in my car, and thinking… “too much black ice on these roads, I should stay home and sleep.” The draw of something special made me keep going. Somebody else kept going that day too. My “special” was a another’s worst “nightmare.” Life is delicate.
In memory of you. You lost your life less than a half mile from me. Here’s what Gods beauty showed 1,300-ft above your demise. It’s a microcosm of your life, but hopefully there’s peace in these photos. I feel small.
http://www.kaephotography.com/gallery/huntsman/
Your series is excellent, Kane. All are done so well, but I really like "Fluid Morning," and "Winter's Contrast."