Images from this last week backpacking into the Eastern Sierra for some #TroutSlaying, photography, and story telling. Feeling fully recharged today.
The Kasbah Trail
Day 6 and 7... After leaving the dunes of the Sahara we spend two days crossing the desert on our way to the Atlantic coast city of Agadir. We saw the famous Kasbahs of Morocco, toured Moroccan Hollywood and visited another UNESCO site, Aït Benhaddou, which has been the location for numerous movies and TV such as Gladiator, Babel, and Prince of Persia.
Meknes and Volubilis
Mt. Ritter Backpack Mission
This past week myself and four cohorts took on an Eastern Sierra backpack trip that included a summit bid on the 13,200 ft, Mt. Ritter via the Nydiver Lakes.
Day one (8/11/2014) was spent hiking 8 miles from the Minaret trail head to Minaret Lakes. We fly fished and recovered from the uphill slog to altitude while thunderstorms built overhead. By dusk we were greeted with the ominous rumble of thunder and a hail/rain storm that went on and off throughout the night. I had chosen to go as ultralight as possible (SLR and tripod excluded) so my only helter was an OR Helium bivy sack. Having never spent a night in the cocoon of a bivy this was rather uncomfortable in a lighting striking downpour but we all survived relatively dry and lightening strike free.
Day two (8/12/2014) we awoke to more threatening skies but we packed up and skirted the Minaret Lakes for the Sierra high route to Cecil and Iceberg Lakes. This included an off trail scramble and a 20 ft class 4/5 reach to the ridge with our 50 lbs pound packs. Adrenaline was our friend. The crew then navigated the rock scree around Cecil lake and down to Iceberg and Ediza Lakes before beginning an uphill climb to another off trail location, Nydiver Lakes. The climb to Nydiver gave us our first good look at the Ritter route in preparation for the next days summit attempt. Once at Nydiver, we raised camp, gorged on calories and broke out the fly rods. The brooke trout at these high lakes nearly jump onto the flys.
Day three (8/13/2014 - DeVore B-day) we rose early and broke trail at 7:30 am for the top of Ritter. We began with a scramble from the mouth of the glacier river at the base of Ritter up the south route on semi marked and unmarked trails. The route was uneventful until we reached the south west glacier at about 11,500 ft. We didn't know it but the south route included a rather unstable talus field up the main Owens Chute that made the climb difficult. The large and small boulders moved with ever step and grab as they slid on top of the glacial ice. This slope gave one of our crew of 5 too much of an un-easy feeling so he abandoned the climb at the base of the south glacier. The remaining 4 of us made it up to the saddle before the summit after a difficult hour of climbing. The Summit push took us up into the rushing mist shrouding the view but we made the summit at about 10:30 am after only about 3 hours of climbing 3,137 ft. We snapped a few photos, checked in with the digital world (thanks AT&T and line of sight RF) signed the summit book accordingly and began the decent. This also proved to be a challenge once we reached the talus lined glacier via the Maloy variation. We all escaped relatively unscathed with only minor cuts and some bloody shins on the birthday boy. Back at camp the agenda was as follows; calorie gorge, pump fresh water, relax, fish, whiskey, shooting stars, and crash out at 9:30 pm.
Strava Route :
Day four (8/14/2014) we were homeward bound via a 7 mile down hike to Agnew Meadows. The pervious three days of heavy hiking having taken its toll we were all happy to see the road and the shuttle bus take us to a friends Mammoth house for showers and Pizza. Unforgettable adventure. Thanks boys!
#HoneysGettingHitched
Rim Rock Ranch, May 24th 2014.
I wasn't the wedding photographer but I couldn't help myself from grabbing some images of this gorgeous couple in a place with such magical mood and light.
Congratulations Hillary + Angela
Pappy & Harriet's
Ribs and dusty desert fun on our first night in Pioneer Town
Aerial Santa Barbara
Last week I had the opportunity to go on a low altitude photography mission for the Oceana Hotel over Santa Barbara with SB Heli Tours. Dan at SB Heli put me in great and safe position to photograph the Oceana Hotel. It was also fun fun fun. Here are a few photos of the harbor, Stearns Wharf, Dan's birds, and the Coastline on just another indian summer evening in Santa Barbara.
The Hideout
This last weekend I had the pleasure and honor of being the best man at my brothers wedding. The weekend was so full of love and the setting wasn't bad either. My brother and his wife choice the most unique, beautiful, and tranquil place for their three-day party and everything was perfect. Here are a couple images of The Hideout. The first set is of the main lodge and the back deck which sits right over a private lake and the second set is the exterior of the old west saloon which sits on the property.
The Hideout
The Hideout
Santa Cruz Island
The Channel Islands can be a magical place. Most of the chain is less than 20 miles southwest of the Central and Southern California coastline but it feels like a world apart. A big group of friends decided to head out for for some camping at Santa Cruz Island this past weekend and we scored. The weather was as good as it gets, 78 and sunny. We trail ran, free dived, kayaked, hiked, and just enjoyed the solitute, scenery, and the company. Below is a small set from the trip featuring the lookout over the harbor towards Anacapa Island, the notoriously curious and mischievous Island Fox, and the old ranch windmill. I'll be posting more images and a short video of the adventure in the coming weeks...come back for more!
Santa Cruz Island
East Side
The sliver of California that exists east of the Sierra Nevada is a magical place. Big, empty, and beautiful
Grays Meadow, Independence CA