tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47066140032050688452012-02-10T19:39:01.880-07:00Welcome! I am an adventure photographer and ACMG hiking guide based out of Banff, in the heart of the majestic Canadian Rockies.mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.comBlogger3171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-7443868431331189772012-02-10T19:39:00.000-07:002012-02-10T19:39:01.891-07:00

This image is best viewed large . Please click on it for a larger version. Odin's Winter Wrath This is one of the last shots I will be posting from Nunavut. Then it is back to Nepal and the Canadian Rockies. One of things that struck me instantly in Auyuittuq National Park is how different the peaks all look from each other. There is Thor with its immense west face. The legendary Asgard

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-87307862181918540492012-02-09T18:55:00.001-07:002012-02-09T20:17:53.014-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Nepal's Grand Canyon This image was taken at dawn from the hills of Mustang, as the distant valley fog rose towards the snowy summits of Nilgiri and Annapurna. The canyon shown in the centre of the photograph, that of the mighty Kali Gandaki, eventually becomes the deepest gorge on Earth as it squeezes

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Moon Over Chele The kingdom of Mustang has only been open to foreign visitors for 20 years and largely retains its charm from centuries of isolation. Change is on the horizon however, and a road is currently being built through a region that traditionally had always been accessed by foot. The village shown here,

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-4193174088612533872012-02-08T08:50:00.001-07:002012-02-08T08:50:24.262-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. End of the Day A woman from the village of Gheling disappears into the late afternoon autumn light to gather wood for the approaching night. The snow-clad Annapurna massif rises in the background. Gheling, Mustang, Nepal. f/4.0, 1/125, ISO 200, 140.0mm on Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8 IS, Mk II Body

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-27408075998756477662012-02-07T09:11:00.001-07:002012-02-07T09:11:11.644-07:00

These images are best viewed large - please click on them for a larger version. Cairns of Gokyo Cairns are plentiful throughout the Himalaya, but even more so in the area surrounding the village of Gokyo, where one finds them virtually everywhere. This one sits on the shore of the third Gokyo Lake, at an elevation of approximately 4,800m above sea level. Below is a B&W version of the

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-35833457544293034662012-02-06T11:14:00.000-07:002012-02-06T11:14:04.873-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Ridges of Red A closeup of the fairytale cliffs of Drakmar, in the heart of the kingdom of Mustang, Nepal. This image is available as a print. f/4.0, 1/750, ISO 200, 200.00mm on Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8, Mk II body.

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-10077133938185096472012-02-05T08:00:00.000-07:002012-02-05T08:00:05.222-07:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version. Deep Winter, Deeper Wilderness Many of the joys of exploring Nunavut in the winter have to do with staying warm. Sipping hot tea, hiding inside a down sleeping bag, feeling the sun as you ski into a new valley, finally getting going in the morning once the packing is done... Here in the middle of Auyuittuq Park, we

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This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version. Relic of the North Barren-ground caribou used to be found in large numbers through most of Auyuittuq National Park. Now they are extremely rare in the Akshayuk Pass area, where this image was taken. Auyuittuq National Park, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. This image is available as a print. f/9.0, 1/160, ISO 200,

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-70058492525205056582012-02-03T07:44:00.002-07:002012-02-03T07:44:33.768-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Night Sentinel A solitary cairn points at the moon as the daylight fades on Gokyo Ri. Rugged Pharilapche (6,017m) looms silently in the background. Gokyo Ri, Khumbu, Nepal. This image is available as a print. f/22.0, 25 seconds, ISO 800, 23.0mm on Canon EF17-40mm f/4L USM, Canon Mk II body.

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-39206199980189351882012-02-02T10:21:00.000-07:002012-02-02T10:21:02.204-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Everest's Daughter Ask a child to draw you a mountain and you'll probably end up with something that looks like Pumori (7,161 m). Also known as "Everest's Daughter" due to its proximity to the massive "Chomolungma", Pumori is been geologically blessed with a variety of aesthetic ridges that make it  stand out in

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-30552303506371366382012-02-01T09:26:00.004-07:002012-02-01T09:26:57.173-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Supplies Surprise It's pretty amazing where they'll take mules in the great little country of Nepal. Necessity makes people creative. Just after you've struggled up this snowy ridge, through adverse weather and approach a 5,000m+ pass, or just when you get the feeling you've entered a remote wilderness, the

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-33747764229998367802012-01-31T07:58:00.002-07:002012-01-31T08:15:36.401-07:00

This image looks much better when viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. High Altitude Drama Despite what the countless books on Himalayan mountaineering would make you believe, man need not be involved for "high altitude drama" to occur. Here, Nuptse (7861 m) puts on a grand act of its own as the summit snows are being blown up and over the infamous south face. Nuptse

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-34874695653728400142012-01-30T08:04:00.004-07:002012-01-30T08:04:46.993-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Himalayan Skies You may recall me writing something a few posts ago about Ama Dablam being the mountain that looks amazing from all angles. Well, here is me trying to prove that. This is the stunning west face of Ama Dablam, viewed from the hills above Dingboche, in the Khumbu region. Again I was mesmerized by the

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-8485531251457049052012-01-29T08:39:00.000-07:002012-01-29T08:39:42.312-07:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version. Beneath The Giant A lone skier heads towards the base of massive Mount Thor, as the summit emerges from the clouds. Auyuittuq National Park, Baffin Island, Nunavut. This image is available as a print. f/9.0, 1/1000, ISO 200, 115.0mm on Canon EF70-200mm f/2,8L IS USM, Canon 5D body.

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-14396213652790906902012-01-28T10:29:00.001-07:002012-01-28T10:29:48.655-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for as larger version. The Land of Rock and Ice Another image from last year's few days of exploration in Auyuittuq National Park. As one travels the desolate, dramatic valleys of Baffin Island in the winter, it is hard to believe that this place ever gets green at any time of year, for all that is to be seen is made of either rock or

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-22201854164282670962012-01-27T09:27:00.000-07:002012-01-27T09:27:13.854-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Matterhorn of the Himalayas Another image of spectacular Ama Dablam, often referred to as the "Matterhorn of the Himalayas" due to its resemblance to the famous peak that straddles the Swiss/Italy border. This "Nepalese" version of the Matterhorn is in fact over 2,000m higher than its European counterpart, and had it not been for its

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-947256880714789742012-01-26T12:37:00.000-07:002012-01-26T12:37:26.403-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Annapurna Alpenglow The immense south face of Annapurna at dawn. The dry, thin air makes distances extremely deceiving in the Himalaya. The face is 4 kilometres high and was first climber by a British team in 1970. Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal. This image is available as a print. f/4.0, 1s, ISO 800, 31.0mm on

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-387773121458879712012-01-25T09:29:00.001-07:002012-01-25T09:29:35.360-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Fading Light on Machhapuchhare Ah, the end of the day in the high Himalaya, and the joy to see the peaks turn crimson one by one, with the highest ones getting the last glow. This is Machhapuchhare (also known as Fishtail, due to the way the peak looks when viewed from the south), one of Nepal's sacred peaks and one of the world's

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-1781695640250628242012-01-24T09:40:00.000-07:002012-01-24T09:40:04.560-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Annapurna Sunrise Golden morning light bathes the summit ridges of Tilicho Peak (front) and massive Annapurna, viewed here from the north. It is from this side that the French made the first ascent of an 8,000m peak in 1950. After having read so much about the famous mountain, it was truly a special moment to

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-67688550028111408892012-01-23T10:15:00.001-07:002012-01-23T10:15:29.423-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Lhotse Dreams This is an image from the Khumbu region of Nepal. After a day of exploring in the Dingboche area I scrambled down to the banks of the Imja River to watch the last light on Lhotse, the world's 4th highest mountain at 8,516m. I found a composition I liked and took several photographs of the last light on the peak, but as

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-7652605090923350642012-01-22T06:29:00.000-07:002012-01-22T06:29:15.492-07:00

These image are best viewed large - click on them for a larger version. Sea Ice Sculptures Another quick series from winter in Nunavut. There is something I love about photographing parts of the landscape that are ephemeral, that will never occur again in the same way. Not just because of light, but also because the subject itself will never reappear in the exact same shape. Here in the

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-70292079063571024902012-01-21T11:08:00.001-07:002012-01-21T11:08:48.272-07:00

This image is much better viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Rugged Wonderland Back to beautiful Nunavut for today's image. I seldom do panoramas but thought the immenseness of the Baffin Island mountainscape lent itself to that format. Auyuittuq National Park has to be one of the most underrated wild spaces in the world. The landscape is straight out of a Tolkien

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-65875768820975041782012-01-20T11:45:00.000-07:002012-01-20T11:45:26.665-07:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version. Nighttime Blessings A simple nighttime photograph to finish the week. I spent a good amount of time on this Mustang rooftop taking in the peacefulness of the prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, under a canopy of stars. The flags are ubiquitous in this part of Nepal, which is largely Buddhist. The colours of the flags

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-32630536669696397032012-01-19T07:17:00.000-07:002012-01-19T07:17:23.094-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version. Queen of Mountains Ama Dablam, 6812 m. Many call it the "most beautiful mountain in the world". After gazing at it for days from a variety of angles, I find it hard to disagree. Although the famous pyramidal show-clad peak is visible from Namche Bazaar or even further away, the classic view (shown here) from

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-81070784008610771982012-01-18T09:02:00.002-07:002012-01-18T09:03:17.988-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Hills of Light The ancient kingdom of Mustang feels like no other place in Nepal. Located on the north side of the Himalaya, the region receives far less rain than the rest of the country and is characterized by a landscape of dry, windswept, barren hills. When the sun finally manages to rise above the walls of Annapurna, those hills

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-14843027114887368882012-01-17T12:16:00.000-07:002012-01-17T12:16:08.549-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it. A Nepal Rarity Lakes are surprisingly rare in the Nepal Himalaya. Our group suspected that the bedrock allows the surface water to drain quickly. In 10 weeks, we only saw a handful. This gem (called Chola Tsho) was perhaps the prettiest one of them and combined with stunning Cholatse (peak in the background) made up one of the most

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-51105048719524090342012-01-16T07:45:00.003-07:002012-01-16T08:17:41.032-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version.Mustang TwilightHere is another image from Nepal, from high up in the kingdom of Mustang. This is a much quieter corner of Nepal. The fabulous campsite shown here provided one last view of the valley of the mighty Kali Gandaki before we disappeared behind Dhaulagiri and towards its base camp. The lights of Marpha shine

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-44628677606534424472012-01-15T08:46:00.003-07:002012-01-15T10:49:17.480-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version.The Mark of WinterAnother image from stunning Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island. As part of my preparation for this trip I had spent considerable time looking through images of the area. Doing so helps me conceptualize photographic possibilities and visualize the area before I arrive on location. 99% of the images I

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-42590672663955287622012-01-14T14:57:00.003-07:002012-01-14T15:10:32.118-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version.Arctic AlienOne of best parts of 2011 for me was ski touring on Baffin Island. 5 days of bliss (albeit cold bliss) in big, empty Auyuittuq National Park. The grand peak in this image is Mount Thor, which has the Earth's greatest purely vertical drop at 1,250m. An impressive sight so say the least. Thanks for stopping by. I

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-63871027183768415342012-01-13T09:10:00.000-07:002012-01-13T09:10:00.519-07:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.King Under The StarsThis is the first image released from a recent 10-week stay in Nepal. How could I not go with "Big E" for this first photograph? The shot was taken from an elevation of approximately 5,600m on a night I will never forget. After years of reading everything I could find about the mountain, here it was before me, its summit

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-48787735469697608432011-12-30T13:53:00.014-07:002011-12-30T15:19:47.305-07:00

It has been another great year at Paul Zizka Photography and I want to thank you all for your support again this year. I was fortunate to be able to spend a considerable amount of time documenting some of the world's most spectacular corners over the last 12 months, from Nepal to Nunavut to our dear Canadian Rockies. Lots of exciting projects are coming up in 2012 and I will be sure to keep

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-6069628426877219322011-10-02T15:48:00.003-06:002011-10-02T16:15:20.766-06:00

After a jam-packed weekend finalizing a number of photo projects and madly packing, the time has come to head out on the road, more specifically to the high peaks of Nepal. This is primarily a trekking adventure, where our group of five is hoping to visit the base camps of several of the 8,000m mountains while we are there (partly out of personal interest, partly for work).I do not expect to be

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-72952368192152531812011-09-30T08:43:00.002-06:002011-09-30T08:59:07.499-06:00

This image looks very pixelated when in Blogger - please click on it to view it at its best.Heavens Come AliveWith the recent increased auroral activity here in the Canadian Rockies, I was tempted to revisit some shots taken last fall in the Northwest Territories. The NWT are one of the best places in the world to view the lights. Most nights one only has to drive for a few minutes to see the

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-85708100612984867512011-09-29T10:55:00.003-06:002011-09-29T11:09:50.687-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.The ChieftainDespite reaching higher into the sky, Hungabee Mountain exists in the shadow of neighbouring Mts Lefroy and Victoria, perhaps because it is not as prominent from the roads. Still, it remains a formidable sight, its black, crumbling rock rising sheerly at the head of Paradise Valley and its aesthetic ridges meeting at a sharp point.

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-58493152174217638832011-09-27T21:11:00.000-06:002011-09-27T21:11:00.618-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Autumn in MotionStanding in this field near Vermilion Lakes, I felt like I witnessed the arrival of fall that evening. The clouds were racing across the sky, there was a chill in the air, and the colours were exploding all around the wetlands. After giving us two months of warm sunshine, Mother Nature was taking it all back and sending us a

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-1790844688030995952011-09-27T09:08:00.003-06:002011-09-27T09:27:28.204-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Golden RockiesAn ant's view of fall at Hillsdale Meadows. As if the Rockies were not beautiful enough the rest of the year, they are especially so in September when they see summer off with one last pulse of gold, shown here against the stormy, dynamic skies of autumn. Hillsdale Meadows, Banff National Park.f/9.5, 1/45, ISO 200, 17.0mmThis

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-36548023206045256012011-09-26T08:36:00.008-06:002011-09-26T09:15:47.414-06:00

These images are best viewed large - please click on them. Vermilion MonochromeThis was the scene last Friday morning at Vermilion Lakes. No matter the weather, time of day or season, the lakes always have something to offer to the eager landscape photographer. Typically I visit the first or second lakes because I like to shoot wide

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-15057105638940154002011-09-23T11:23:00.003-06:002011-09-23T11:30:35.761-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Fall at the LakesOur last "great Canadian Rockies fall photo location" of the week is none other than world famous Vermilion Lakes. This image was made yesterday evening. This time of year one finds a lot of oranges and even reds on the shore of the lake. The sky displayed much drama last night and the pastel tones came together nicely. The

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-86204777951619726342011-09-22T08:51:00.003-06:002011-09-22T09:05:56.125-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.First Light at Floe LakeToday's Canadian Rockies fall photo spot is stunning Floe Lake in Kootenay National Park, or the entire Rockwall trail for the matter, which offers some of the highest densities of golden larches one can find anywhere in the mountain parks. This shot was taken on a morning I will always remember. I had spent the night

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-31052565616269689612011-09-21T08:43:00.002-06:002011-09-21T08:55:49.828-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Overlap of SeasonsToday's great Canadian Rockies fall location is Hillsdale Meadows. Interestingly one does not see millions of images from Hillsdale floating around the web. A very underrated spot in my opinion, and overwhelmingly beautiful in late September. This image was taken after our first significant snowfall in Banff National Park. The

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-81993228089586906782011-09-19T21:22:00.003-06:002011-09-19T21:31:28.211-06:00

Best viewed large - please clock on it. Awaiting AutumnToday's great fall photo spot is the Moraine Lake area, from Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass to Wenkchemna Pass. As if Moraine Lake did not have enough going for it, it is also located near some of the park's best larch forests. This is a view of Eiffel Lake, Moraine Lake and

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-23292308150954250122011-09-19T09:20:00.002-06:002011-09-19T09:31:48.917-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Canopy of GoldThis week I thought we could celebrate the arrival of fall in the Canadian Rockies. Autumn is many photographers' favourite time of year for photographing the Rockies, and I can really see why. The larches and aspens turn gold, the bugs vanish, the deep blue skies, the willows and shrubs exploding with colour, the fresh dustings

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-47987040578135007602011-09-16T07:45:00.004-06:002011-09-16T09:59:37.272-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Sunrise on Mount ForbesPyramidal Mount Forbes (left in this image) is the highest mountain located entirely within Banff National Park. This is a view of the north face from the Lyell Icefield. Below is a closer look at Forbes' splendid north aspect. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.f/4.0, 1/60, ISO 200, 40.0 mm.These images are available

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-69190863080813952282011-09-14T23:36:00.001-06:002011-09-14T23:36:00.118-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version.Jumping ShotsCliché I know but somehow I never get tired of jumping shots. It's not just about cool-looking images. They just convey how the mountains make us feel. Who hasn't asked for a jumping shot upon reaching their first mountaintop and feeling the joy of looking down at the world below? Diadem Peak, Jasper National

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Cornices of Lake LouiseDue to a very snowy winter and cold early summer, the cornices have thrived this year in the alpine environment and made travel much slower in places. Here they are shown lingering well into September on the northeast ridge of Collier Peak. Famous Lake Louise can be seen below. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.This

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Resting PlaceA window into the Canadian Rockies circle of life. A bighorn sheep high on Pilot Mountain. Copper and Castle Mountains form the backdrop. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.This image is available as a print.f/11.0, 1/60, ISO 200, 17.0 mm.

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Cosmic ConvergenceSometimes it all comes together: the stars above, the glow of the aurora, the reflection on placid waters, the moonlit peaks... A scene from a special night at Lake Minnewanka (last Friday).This page is available as a print.f/4.0, 10 or so minutes, ISO 400, 17.0mm

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Alpine RewardsA shot taken on Lyell 1, in the coldest August temperature one is likely to find anywhere in the Rockies! However clear skies high up offer many rewards to the mountaineer, such as rising above the clouds and witnessing the sky go from dark overhead to pink straight ahead... to dark again on the horizon. It is the shadow of the

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Limestone WondersLimestone forms the bulk of the Canadian Rockies and will wow the explorer twice. First, with its sheer, looming cliffs. Then, once eroded down to silt size particles, it will remain suspended in the water bodies of the Canadian Rockies and give them their surreal blue colour. This view from Eiffel Peak exemplifies both of

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Door of DreamsAlthough I like to look at this shot and think it is straight from Monsters Inc., or that the door opens onto a different era or a warm fireplace, the truth is it is simply the Lyell Hut outhouse... One can dream, no? Lyell Icefield, Canadian Rockies, British Columbia, Canada.f/4.0, 1/250, ISO 250, 17.0mmThis image is available as

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Diadem IcefallThe morning alpenglow hits the impressive icefall that clings to Diadem Peak in this photo taken during a recent ascent. Other giants of the Columbia Icefield can be seen in the background (L-R Andromeda, Cromwell, Stutfield East, Engelhard, Stutfield North, Woolley). A pile of limestone flakes provided the tripod for this long

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Lake Louise's First ClimbThe Lake Louise area was for a long time a hotspot of mountaineering in Canada. One of the early climbers was Samuel Allen, who in 1893 made its way to the top of the first mountain ascended in the immediate vicinity of the Lake, Collier Peak. 118 years later its SW ridge still offers great, aesthetic climbing. The

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it! Summer at Skoki Few parts of the Canadian Rockies can match the beauty of Skoki in the summer. Here is a look at Redoubt Mountain and Hidden Lake from Mount Richardson. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. f/6.7, 1/90, ISO 250, 32.0 mm. This image is available as a print.

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Frozen Ocean of Rock... Poet Earle Birney described it best in "David". The Rockies' Front Ranges as seen from the summit of Ptarmigan Peak. The summits of Mount Rundle are visible in the far left. f/11.0, 1/90, ISO 250, 280.0 mm. This image is available as a print.

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This image is definitely best viewed large - please click on it. The Joys of Scrambling I am lucky to live in a place that offers lifetimes of exploration. There are so many ways to enjoy the wild places of the Canadian Rockies, and my personal favourite is mountaineering. Once in a while however, I rediscover the joys of scrambling, which is a type of rock climbing that lies somewhere between a

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This image is best viewed large - please CLICK HERE for a larger version. Where Snow Ice Queen The two lowest peaks of the 5 Lyells (Christian on the left, Walter on the right) happen to be the most spectacular. This was one of the finest, most impressive view I had ever seen high up in the Rockies. There are places summer just won't get to this year... Mount Lyell, Canadian Rockies. f/9.5, 1/

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-854538383837830652011-08-27T12:59:00.004-06:002011-08-29T09:06:40.150-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it. 2AM at Lyell Hut This image was taken on a recent trip to the Lyells. This magnificent group of high peaks had been traditionally reached from the Icefields Parkway via Glacier Lake. However, with the building of the Lyell Hut two years ago, it is safe to say that an increasing number of parties will instead make the rough drive along Bush

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This image is best viewed large - please click here for a larger version. An Evening with Mount Temple This photograph was taken from the shores of Herbert Lake during a recent photo tour around Banff National Park. The lake is considered by many to be at its best at sunrise, but the peaks of the Lake Louise Group face north from that location and therefore it is also a great spot for sunset. On

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This image is best viewed large - please click here for a larger version. Then There Were Four This image was taken during a recent visit to Upper Waterfowl Lake. The lake has a much "wilder" feel than its Lower counterpart, yet it is rarely a busy place. Upper Waterfowl Lake has an overwhelming potential for "big landscape" images: foreground of boulders and reeds amidst crystal clear waters,

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These photographs are best viewed large - please click on them! Moraine Lake Monochrome Moraine Lake is known all over the world for its spectacular, Kool-Aid turquoise colour*. The colour is such that it steals the show even from the sheer precipices that ring the valley in which it is set. Today I am attempting to give the "Ten Peaks" the attention they deserve by taking away a little blue. My

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Wild Bill's Haven A slightly different view of famous Peyto Lake. The lake was named after Wild Bill Peyto, one of the Canadian Rockies' early outfitters and most colourful characters. Legend has it that after a full day of dealing with tourists at nearby Bow Lake, Peyto would head up to his namesake lake alone to find peace in the evenings.

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Much better when viewed LARGE - please click on the image. A Daunting Sight An image from the weekend and one I will never forget: the north ridge of Walter Peak (Lyell 4), a mountaineer's dream both visually and technically. I spent a few days on the Lyell Icefield with my wife/freelance writer Meghan and friend/mountain guide Mike Stuart to capture some images for Canadian Alpine Guides. After

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In The Field! I am leaving you this week with a few "behind-the-scenes", candid images of a few of the great participants who joined fellow photographer Anne Strickland and I on our Banff National Park workshop last week. Over a few days of intense exploration of the park, we got treated to a lot of magic moments by Mother Nature. The participants are now home and the great shots are pouring in.

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Summer in the Meadows A shot taken on a fine morning on the Minnewanka Loop last week during a photo tour of Banff National Park. After shooting spectacular sunrise at Two Jack Lake, we stopped at these flowery meadows at the base of Cascade Mountain and talked about hyperfocal distances, the importance of picking the best subject out of

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Vermilion Kaleidoscope Once in a while I need to take a break from an image before it appeals to me again. I was looking through my archives from earlier this summer for a different image of this classic Canadian Rockies location when I stumbled upon this long exposure photograph of Mount Rundle. I did not strike as particularly pleasing the

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-86727214814190185162011-08-15T20:05:00.002-06:002011-08-15T20:11:02.066-06:00

Don't even think about viewing this image small - please click on it. Ten Summitteers Crowded times on the summit of Eiffel Peak, high above Paradise Valley. Mt Temple patrols the background. Eiffel Peak, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. f/11, ISO 100, 1/90, 17.0 mm

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This image is best viewed large - click on it. The Eiffel Tower, Rockies-style Taken yesterday from the summit of Eiffel Peak. This enormous, nearly 100 m tall Cathedral limestone tower rises high above Paradise Valley. As far as I know it has seen very few ascents since the first group went up in 1952, after 9 hours of hard work from the notch. The party described the climb as "one of the best

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-71895912155537884882011-08-11T22:44:00.003-06:002011-08-11T22:59:14.420-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it. Moonset Over the Divide Taken last Friday during a workshop field session at Herbert Lake, right between a dramatic sunset and the arrival of the awaited northern lights. We saw the moon for only a few minutes at it skirted the north face of Mount Niblock. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. This image is available as a print. f/4.o, 1/20, ISO 400

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Alpine Start Mountaineers often get going early when tackling routes that involve snow or potential for rockfall. Although the first 15 minutes can be a little rough, the experience becomes magical when the train of headlamps steps onto the glacier and illuminates its way up the face as the sun slowly get sour of bed. This was taken at our

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Peyto Lake Aurora This was taken during a recent workshop I led with fellow photographer Anne Strickland. We had just finished shooting an apocalyptic sunset at Herbert Lake last Friday and upon returning to our vehicles we could see green daggers to the north even though the sky was far from black. I suggested we head up to the closest

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. Backcountry Bliss A self-portrait taken recently on the summit of Ptarmigan Peak, which overlooks much of the Skoki area in Banff's backcountry. A perfect way to end a long day among the peaks. Redoubt Mountain is the most prominent peak in the photograph, while Ptarmigan and Redoubt Lakes occupy the centre of the frame. Ptarmigan Peak, Banff

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This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version. Colours of Skoki Even by Canadian Rockies standards, the Skoki area is a particularly scenic gem. In midsummer, lakes of all shades of blue and green dot the flower-filled landscape (those shown are are indian paintbrushes). This was taken last week at the beginning of a great day spent high up on Mts Richardson, Pika and

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-13166215515711303742011-08-04T12:46:00.002-06:002011-08-05T04:57:20.798-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Eternal WinterAn image made recently during an a rather wintry ascent of Mount Sir Douglas on the Kananaskis/Banff National Park boundary. Here my rope companions are seen gingerly retracing their steps along the summit ridge of the mountain. Don't worry - I had of course tied off the belay. Mount Sir Douglas, Banff National Park, Alberta,

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This image is best viewed large - click on it.Bow Lake Light ShowThis shot was taken during the last installment of "Caffeine and Cameras", during which a few of us Bow Valley photographers experienced a stunning night on the shores of Bow Lake. The stars were out in force and the Milky Way was clearly visible. I used a headlamp to add foreground interest here and benefited from fellow

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it. The Wenkchemna WallA slightly different view of world-famous Moraine Lake today. This is the first time I feel like I somewhat managed to capture how big the Ten Peaks really are and how much they tower above the lake. The first 9 peaks are linked together in such a way that they

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This image is best viewed large - click on it.Moraine Lake by MoonlightThis shot was taken recently on a beautiful night spent on the Moraine Lake Rockpile, in the context of a time-lapse photography project. Once the camera were in place for multiple exposures, I proceeded to capture a few stills as well. The moon was full and it was wonderful to watch it visit all of the Ten Peaks one by one.

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This image is best viewed large - click on it.Alpine ExplorationsDespite the obvious hazards of glacier travel (particularly in the summer when the snowpack is thinner), there is an odd kind of freedom that comes to "neve navigation", especially after one has spent a considerable amount if time covering rugged, rocky ground high in the mountains. Suddenly everything underfoot softens and evens

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This image is best viewed LARGE - click on it!All Shades Of BlueA shot taken at Lake O'Hara a couple of years back and the cover of Lynn Martel's new Tales and Trails. It is hard to beat a nice summer day at O'Hara. This was taken from the Odaray Grandview trail, which has been known to lead to scenic overdose. Lake O'Hara is visible on the left and MacArthur on the right. Odaray Granview, Yoho

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-1845832026784595242011-07-28T08:51:00.002-06:002011-07-28T09:17:56.199-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Get Me Off This MountainA shot taken last weekend just below the summit of colossal Mount Sir Douglas. After spending several hours tackling winter-like conditions on the west ridge of the peak and seeing the sun make a slushy mess of the route, all four of us had one thing on our mind at that point despite the glorious weather and enchanting

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-42691496474413888422011-07-26T21:36:00.000-06:002011-07-26T21:36:00.474-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Alpine PaddlingThis photograph was taken on a recent stay in the Bow Lake area. A few of us made the trip to fabulous Iceberg Lake for time-lapse photography purposes but we also brought an inflatable kayak along, which made for great up close exploration of the Bow Glacier while the cameras were doing their thing. I absolutely love the feeling

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-88991099338224239002011-07-25T22:52:00.000-06:002011-07-25T22:52:00.227-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it!Flirting with ExposureAnother shot from a recent ascent of beautiful Mount Cline, just east of Banff National Park. Reaching the summit involves mostly hiking but also a short glacier walk and the crossing of two deep notches in the summit ridge, one of which is shown here. Mount Cline, David Thompson Country, Alberta, Canada.f/9.0, 1/160, ISO 250,

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Above Cline LakesThe Cline Valley has it all, yet is is rarely visited perhaps because it lies just outside of Banff National Park. I always thought David Thompson Country was underrated, and many who have explored the area are probably wishing it will stay that way... This particular shot shows Cline Lakes, which are the highlight of the

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This image is best viewed large - please click on it.Hauntingly YoursA ghostly silhouette (my climbing partner Dave) emerges on the summit ridge of Mount Cline during a recent ascent. David Thompson Country, Alberta, Canada.This image is available as a print.f/10.0, 1/200, ISO 250, 40.0 mm.

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These images are best viewed large - click on any of them for a bigger version.Today I am presenting a few images taken on the Kain Route of Mount Louis, a classic ascent of the Banff area. A truly beautiful mountain. I hope you enjoy them and welcome any feedback you may have. All of the images are available as prints.A fine sunrise over Cascade Mountain to start out the day:Gearing up:"On belay

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This image is best viewed LARGE - click on it.Flaming FlowersThanks to Don McLean's Vincent for the title of this one ;-)This photograph was taken last Friday during an outing with the Caffeine and Cameras crew, a bunch of enthusiastic photographers from the Banff area. We visit a new location each Friday - let me know if you are ever in the area and are interested in joining us!The morning was

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This image is best viewed large - click on it.High Alpine DramaThis image was taken recently on the summit ridge of Mount Cline, just outside of Banff National Park. The approach leading up to the alpine heights of Cline is stunning to say the least, with its glassy lakes, numerous wildflowers, aerial views of the Saskatchewan River valley and gorgeous waterfalls. The last stretch though is akin

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-21067094865828000532011-07-18T13:57:00.002-06:002011-07-18T14:06:54.091-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version.The MountaineerA shot taken on one of last summer's finest weather days. This was taken on the descent from Mount Aberdeen. The way my climbing partner paused in front of Mount Lefroy and looked down the cliff reminded me of some early photographs of the area. Mount Aberdeen, Banff National, Park, Alberta, Canada.This image

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-75656767864852831972011-07-14T22:58:00.000-06:002011-07-14T22:58:00.848-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it.Maligne Lake MorningAn image taken last year on a stellar morning at Maligne Lake, in the context of an early season attempt on glaciated Mts Charlton and Unwin (background, left). Although Maligne is a French word for "wicked", the lake could not have looked any less wicked that morning as we approached our objective by paddling several kilometres

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-40981598833763382962011-07-14T10:18:00.003-06:002011-07-14T10:44:08.174-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it.Mountaintop MomentA climber pauses as he reaches the summit ridge of mighty Mount Louis, Banff National Park. This image was taken last week after an ascent of the classic Kain route. Years ago the Calgary Mountain Club left this cross on the highest point on the mountain. No wonder the peak is known to attract lightning strikes! Mount Louis, Banff

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-61981895095544394042011-07-13T11:41:00.003-06:002011-07-13T11:50:14.871-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version.Stormy Evening in the Little Yoho ValleyAnother image taken recently in the alpine paradise that is the Little Yoho Valley. After capturing some time-lapse sequences of an approaching thunderstorm, I took a few stills of the hut prior to running for cover. The nasty weather only made the hut look that much cozier. Stanley Mitchell

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-7910257411458534222011-07-12T11:08:00.002-06:002011-07-12T11:15:34.571-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it!Snowy Day at Mitchell HutI spent a couple of nights at Yoho's amazing Stanley Mitchell Hut last week, intending to do some landscape photography. Mother Nature had other plans however and it snowed for 24 hours straight. Being hut-bound is not so bad and one is simply forced to pass time in a number of different ways... I could not decide what to do

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-36450501488593317192011-07-11T09:48:00.003-06:002011-07-11T15:56:15.615-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it for a larger version.Kananaskis DaybreakAn image taken earlier this summer with the Caffeine and Cameras crew. If you are in the Bow Valley, are interested in photography and are keen to join us for a sunrise shoot, feel free to drop me a line.f/11.0, 1.6 s, IS 50, 17.0 mmThis image is available as a print.

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-40316784173357523932011-07-07T22:34:00.000-06:002011-07-07T22:34:00.260-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version.Evening on the SawbackAnother image from the South Peak of Mount Edith. The rock layers that make up the Sawback Range have been tilted in such a way that they are now resting in a vertical position, resulting in most interesting scrambling opportunities. Famous Mount Rundle is visible in the background where it is lit up by the

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-15046616027264678832011-07-07T09:30:00.002-06:002011-07-07T09:51:21.082-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it!Skoki's Zigadenus CascadesIn a park already loaded with scenery, the Skoki area is a visual feast. Colourful lakes, hanging glaciers, wildflowers, towering peaks - it has it all. This particular photograph was taken at the outlet of Zigadenus Lake.f/22.0, 0.3 s, ISO 50, 17.0mmThis image is available as a print.

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-8862903879391016082011-07-06T12:59:00.003-06:002011-07-06T13:34:02.153-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it for a larger version.Mount Edith KeyholeHigh on the South Peak of Mount Edith, over a kilometre above the Banff townsite, is this intriguing keyhole through the limestone. The south peak of Edith is in my opinion the best scramble in the Banff area, and the standard route up takes one through this tunnel. Early in the season though the keyhole is

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-77900802698297633412011-07-05T08:46:00.003-06:002011-07-05T09:14:28.340-06:00

Best viewed large - click on the image.WindsweptThis image was taken this weekend near the summit ridge of Mushroom Peak, in Jasper National Park. We had set our sights on the big ones, Mts Woolley and Diadem, but the weather never really allowed an ascent, as shown by this image. It was about -15 in the wind on the top of this lonely, seldom-climbed mountain. Mushroom Peak, Jasper National Park,

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-36499648617055416382011-07-03T17:10:00.003-06:002011-07-03T17:25:43.254-06:00

Good Monday everyone. Today being the 4th of July I thought I would celebrate an American icon with this shot of beautiful Mount Rainier. Later on this week I will be sharing fresh images from recent ascents in Banff and Jasper National Parks.Emmons Glacier and Little Tahoma Peak, WA.

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-24749898422715278882011-06-30T10:22:00.006-06:002011-06-30T17:38:14.417-06:00

These images are best viewed large - click on them for larger versions.Last Year on Canada DayToday I thought I'd share a quick slideshow of what I did on Canada Day last year. I spent a wonderful day climbing the classic Skyladder route on Mount Andromeda with friends. A fantastic day out that ended up with a Canadian flag on top of the Rockies. Here are some highlights - thanks for visiting and

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-76864843938966397292011-06-30T09:32:00.002-06:002011-06-30T09:46:52.977-06:00

This image is best viewed large - please click on it!Lifting VeilThis photograph was taken during a recent stay in Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia. After days of continuous rain, the sun finally came out and the clouds revealed the soaked mountainsides. Magical. Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia, Canada.f/5.0, 1/320, ISO 320, 220 mmThis image is available as a

mountainpzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741521590437311165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706614003205068845.post-28041622943348493532011-06-29T08:16:00.003-06:002011-06-29T08:46:43.850-06:00

This image is best viewed large - click on it.Dreamy SunriseOne last shot from a fine morning at Island Lake. A truly photogenic jewel of Banff National Park. Check out the link below for the full tour of the lake. This particular image was taken during a brief window of visibility towards Panorama Ridge. At that point I thought the clouds would quickly burn off but strangely they rolled in again

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