Breathe and Let Go

Breathe & Let Go

Brevity

Brevity

 

 MOUNTAIN GUIDES

R.J.

The past few weeks have been enjoyable in the mountains of western Wyoming.  Though we had an early round of monsoonal flow, stress levels generally have been normal to low.  Monsoonal weather in Wyoming becomes extremely unpredictable, from simple cloud cover to violent unprecedented thunderstorms.  Combine the mix of strong southerly flow, unstable atmosphere, and Teton-scale orographics, and you end up with something like a hormonal adolescent with his first beer on a Saturday night - absolute unpredictablility.

When the weather is forecast to be somwehat decent I do often take my SLR camera.  Maybe I should focus more on landscapes, but I tend to gravitate toward the people of the mountains in their environment.  It's difficult enough already to grab any snapshots, even more difficult to stage shots in advance.  The first priority, of course, is safety to the clients and to myself, and not necessarily in that order!

With every photograph there certainly is a story.  Neither of us has time to tell all those stories right now.  But when the day is done and we're old and decrepit and we're sitting at the base of the mountains, looking up with intensity, memory, and longing, come find me and we'll go for a walk and we'll share our stories.  For now, as my ol' buddy Jim Kanzler used to say, "Motion is Life," and I'm on the move.

Here is a link to a small sample of images from just a few of the mountains I've explored and traveled.  Take a look.  Grab a drink and hit 'slideshow.'  Climb on.

 

Tetons at Dusk

Summer.  Heat.  Long Days.  Long Nights.  Fun.  Exhaustion.  Energy.  Motion.  

Life. 

Landscape Portrature is one of my favorite subjects to shoot.  I hope it shows!

Grand Teton

View from the summit.  Father's Day.

Summer has arrived for most people in the northern hemisphere.  In the Teton Range of Wyoming, however, winter snow lingers well past the solstice.  For those uncomfortable with travelling on snow and ice and rock, the high Teton peaks will most likely be rather unwelcoming.  On the other hand, travel on snow can be a delight and can offer a distinct advantage for efficiency of movement on steep terrain.

I took this photo from the summit of the Grand Teton last Sunday, Father's Day.  While my dad is busy at his home caring for his less-abled wife, I am in the midst of providing care for clients who I've guided on this day.  Similar?  Perhaps.  I must say, as much stamina and endurance and mental focus that it takes to guide a peak like this in these conditions, ... this is no comparison to the perseverence and dedication that he demonstrates.  

I am inspired and motivated.

This image is not necessarily composed to evoke beauty.  It is the view that I had the other morning at 9:00 AM.  It's raw, cold, harsh, bright, dark, not entirely conclusive.  It isn't grounded so well and doesn't carry an obvious foundation.

Most accidents occur on the descent.  So, for middle-aged, or over-the-hill, people, what's so good about "it's all downhill from here?"

Stay focused on that descent!

 

MIDNIGHT SUN

© David Bowers Photography

This is the first midnight of the season at this locale, Arnoy, Norway, taken at 12:04 AM, May 16, 2013.

In this photo the sun is peering between a heavy layer of clouds and the Barents Sea..  It traversed this sliver of sky from left to right until it disappeared behind the mountains to the right.

Summer is here.

Enjoy.

Norway

Coastal village of arctic Norway.

 Here you can find a few images from a recent trip to northern Norway.  This is my second trip to the country and I do believe there will be a third.  My primary reason for visting Norway is for the absolutely incredible backcountry skiing.  Of course, photography is a close second reason, and then add in the typical sightseeing and cultural enjoyment, and it's the perfect package for a spring getaway. 

Norway, for the most part, has things figured out.  They have very high taxes, but unlike other wealthy countries, they redistribute their income to the betterment of the whole of the country with a great education system, very good health care, decent roads/bridges/tunnels, career opportunities, and clean air and water.  Ironically, lots of their income comes solely from interest earned from accounts filled by the sale of oil from the North Sea.  What a system, though!  Produce the pollutants and ship them to someone downwind and make a lot of money!

It will be interesting to watch to see how Norway continues to develop.  As fishing and oil compete for Norway's income, many questions will arise, specifically regarding the environment.  I hope that they make the best decision possible, considering all the parameters, short term and long term.

For now, it is a very clan country full of vibrant people with tremendous pride of their country.  They're healthy, their crime is virtually zero, they're happy, and they like to ski!  Like me.

I plan to soon have more photos posted at the above link and also here.  Enjoy.  And Happy Spring!