Viva La Mexico

Couple of shots from my trip to the Mayan. Cliche yet sublime. Enough said.

Burstall - Birdwood Pass

A little stroll in the mountains up Burstall Pass to Birdwood and back with Waz and Barkley. Nice little trail I must say. Some day, I'll return to complete the circuit.

Here, Barkley and his favorite running partner Andrew head into Burstall Meadows which sits just below Burstall Pass. Quintessential mountain running.


The view back down Burstall Pass.


The view along Birdwood Pass. Trail running magazine material.

Northover Ridge

The term epic is a cliche, and perhaps fairly appropriate to describe the Northover Ridge traverse. This is a 3 day back country trip that begins in Kananaskis Country, straddles the Alberta/ BC border and has been on my running radar for years. Finally, on a perfect day in July, I saddled up and escaped early enough to arrive at Upper Kananaskis Lake to scare a couple of courting coyotes out of the parking lot shortly after sunrise.

The route took me along the shores of Upper Kananaskis lake and up Three Isle Lake trail in the wee hours of the morning. I proceeded with trepidation as I would be passing straight through Yogi Bear's hood. I tip toed along with my whistle in my mouth and my bear spray in hand (with my finger nervously on the trigger). About an hour in, I streaked through Forks campground and scared the wool socks off a few dozen Granola's as I whizzed passed on my way to Three Isle Lake.

Left: Leaving Spray Lakes Provincial Park and entering... Right: Three Isle Creek meets Upper Kananaskis River just before Forks campground.


I reached Three Isle Lake in under 2 hours with plenty of spring in my step. I fueled my tank and turned my compass toward this eerily quiet meadow below Mt. Worthington. As I headed forward, I could now see Northover Ridge and it's 9,900ft summit peering down at me (snow covered peak camera center). Visions of drifting over it's long ridge began to dance in my head.


Passing through the flooded meadow, the boggy trail was washed out and difficult to follow. I lost it for over a half hour, however I was in no fear as I spotted the trail ahead as it switch-backed up the col leading up Northover Ridge. I pushed hard and attained Northover Ridge Summit just after 3 hours.

Right: just before the summit of the ridge, I stopped to pester a marmot who seemed distracted. I turned to see what had his knickers in a knot and spotted a mom and cub grizzly across the valley floor not far from where I had just passed. Left: looking back to Three Isle Lake from the ridge.


I had heard tales about the perils that awaited me once I attained the ridge. They were not wives tales. In places, the alpine route was no more than a half foot across, dropped thousands of feet down to the valleys below and unpredictable gale forced winds, sent me sprawling George St. Pierre style on more than one occasion.


In retrospect, I wish I had paused to fire off a couple more images of the ridge itself. After a few kilometers, the ridge flattened out into a meandering alpine trail with a couple million dollars worth of views. Here I float the descent as the ridge gives away down to Northover Lakes.


How do you descend a few hundred feet in a hurry? Why you ski down of course. While I didn’t tote my Rossignol’s on this trip, it turned out I didn’t need them. A pair of New Balance’s did the trick. I easily broke the sound barrier as a controlled slide turned into tumbling cartwheel style down the snow patch. As I turned around and took this shot, you can see the snow route I took down (camera center) and follow it back along a long portion of Northover Ridge.


After taping my shoes back together (the sole peeled off :) I descending the ridge, crossed the border back into Alberta, and headed down toward Aster Lake. Just before the lake, I was sighted by a dozen or so backpackers who were so elated to see me, they relinquished the trail and broke into applause as I ran past them as though in the middle of a championship road race. A moment to pack in my pocket to dig out and relish with a smile as I reflect on my adventures of this life.

I stopped for quick bite and a few photos in this spot as Aster Lake drops down toward Fossil Falls. I haven’t seen many lakes in my journeys as stunning as this one. The only shame is that because it takes a mortal a full hard day to reach it, very few people will get to burn this image into their mind's eye. Good thing I'm not mortal.

After fuelling up, the real adventure began. I lost the trail and ended up bush-whacking for close to an hour up and down Foch Creek Valley until I nearly plunged 1600ft over Fossil Falls. I scrambled the steep loose rock up the valley slope again for another 1/2hr until I thankfully found (after believing I'd be spending the night) Aster Lake trail once again. After descending a long boulder field, and floundering around Hidden Lake, my feet graced Upper Kananaskis Lake trail once again. A quick stroll back around the opposite side of the lake and I arrived more or less in one piece back at the truck. By the numbers: 46km, 7hrs 45min, 9900ft elevation, one pair of New Balance MT101's, a couple dozen backpackers, 3 marmots, 2 bears, 2 coyotes, a deer and a large frog. I can't believe people actually run on treadmills, what a shame.

Happy Canada Day

Thought I’d go get lost in our big beautiful back yard to celebrate this Canada day, and naturally Centennial Trail seemed the commemorative route of choice.

My day began in Ribbon Creek parking lot as so many of my winter adventures do too. First was an assault of Mt Allan (9200ft). After summiting, I decided the day shouldn’t end so early, so I headed on the alpine route up to the summit of Mt. Collembola (Mt. Allan’s twin at 9150ft). Of course, to return to the car, I had to descend Mt. Collembola and re-ascend Mt. Allan which I didn’t really realize as I’m sure the altitude sickness had set in by that time :p

By the numbers: 25km, 3x9200ft (total of approx 10,000ft elevation gain in 3 climbs). Not sure of the total time (something like 5hrs), because I was delirious by the time I got back to the truck.

Funny side note of the day: I broke the remote to my truck while running and had to jimmy the lock in the parking lot at Ribbon Creek where it just so happens there was 1000 East Indians picnicking right in front of my now honking car alarm. Luckily a couple of them knew how to disable my alarm (mildly suspicious??). So just a quick thank you to those fine Canucks who happened to be picnicking in a parking lot when citizenship called, and a happy Canada Day to all the other car thieves across this fine land!

Incredible Centennial Trail as it nears the summit of Nakiska Ski Resort.


Left: rock pinnacles along Centennial trail, Right: Summiting my 2nd of 3 peaks of the day: Mt. Collembola

Frosty

I've been cross country skiing quite a bit over the past couple of weekends. Amazing on the legs but not terribly rewarding for the lens. Brought along the camera and macro lens on this outing and found the early morning light bringing to life the crystalline nano-world

Winter Arrives in Alberta

Winter has wrapped its icy grip around the jugular of Alberta, and I couldn't be happier. My snowshoes and skis have been perched by the door waiting. The first of what i hope are many trips this winter season.

I've seen many light shows from other photographers at Vermillion lakes, but the right light has eluded me on 4 occasions here. I've been waiting to return until there was a partial freeze up and some snow. On this morning, I was late arriving and the only 2 spots left with open water were scoped out by other photographers. I kept searching and finally found this last little pocket of open lake just before the sun crept over Mt Rundle.


On a bitterly cold quiet morning, Banff Springs hotel emerges in the middle of this snow covered forest.


One of the most hiked trails in the Canadian Rockies in the summer, but not a soul in the winter... and I must say the most beautiful time to make the 10km snowshoe up to the Lake Agnes day house and onto the Beehive. Pure -26c paradise!


Had to turn back before the summit because the puppies' paws were a wee cold. He said it was worth it though.

Where's Winter?

Figured I needed a bit of an adventure so the puppy and I headed up from Lake Louise, up to Fairview lookout and onto the Six Glaciers teahouse. It was a cool but pleasant November morning. As usual, the 6 people I saw thought I was insane for running the route, but par for the course.

A subdued November morning with a momentary splash of light.


As I gained elevation, it became apparent what season it was. I arrived at the Plain of the Six Glaciers Teahouse & it was closed for the season (tourist season that is!). A beautiful weather worn old building high in the Rockies near Lake Louise.

Last Flare

The last colors of fall are about to give way to winter in Alberta. I dragged the puppy out for a run in a field just outside of S.W. Calgary as I saw a great sunset in the making. A band of cloud blocked the full light show from developing however, some nice colors peeked through these trees on our way back home.

Morning Fire

A lazy Sunday morning. I was drinking my coffee and noticed an underlit sunrise developing. I flew up the stairs and grabbed my camera and some equipment. I ran into the front yard just in time to shoot this fiery orange sunrise. Just wish i was somewhere a bit more inspiring. The light show lasted 3-4 minutes which was enough time for my nosy neighbors to catch a glimpse of me in my skivvies.

The Kesler's

A morning out with the family from Grand Prairie. A couple of them are overcooked so shooting them was a breeze. No pay day though :(

Consolation Lake Evening

On a delightfully unusual 25 degree October day, I hauled the family kicking and barking out to the mountains and up to consolation lake for to meander in the woods. Of course i don't know how to meander so we ended up turbo hiking up to the second set of consolation lakes. Quite lovely i must say. Cheerio.

Moraine Lake Sunrise

On my 4th attempt to capture some alpenglow at Moraine Lake, finally the light gods appeased me and the 4 other photographers there with me. It was looking like it might be moot, however the sun poked through the clouds for 1-2minutes, just in time for me to fire off a couple of panic stricken shots.

On my way back home, i drove the 1A to capture some early fall foliage. I've been trying to capture a nice 3:1 of some aspens in the fall. Not the shot I've been searching for but i'll take it and keep my eyes peeled.

A light dusting of snow capped some of the peaks nearby and provided some beautiful contrast to this scene. I love the fire yellow larches at the transition of the tree line.

Cabo San Lucas

Not a friendly place to wade. The surf in sight is far taller than I and swallowed my Singh-Ray 0.9GND filter. I nearly lost the camera and tripod during this shot too but my webbed feet came to the rescue.


The morning sun begins to bake the infamous arches in Cabo as i struggle to handhold this shot clinging to the bow of a rickety water taxi.

San Francisco

I love San Francisco :) I know your honeymoon isn't an acceptable time to get up at 4am and drive across an unfamiliar city to shoot pictures of a huge bridge... well there pretty much is no excuse. But she married me knowing my addiction. Nuff said.

I wanted to get a sunrise photo of the bridge with the typical cryptic San Fran fog hovering over the bridge but the road to the location i scouted was closed for construction. I quickly shifted gears and headed to the bunker in Marin Headlands to get this shot. Not what i wanted but sometimes you make the best of what is given to you on any given day you are fortunate enough to be lucid with a camera at sunrise.

A cold, windy and fairly typical day on Baker Beach in San Fran. I wanted to shoot this spot at sunset but i was on my Honeymoon and everything is a compromise as life is teaching me. I was happy to be shooting with my wife as my filter holder.

After convincing my wife to come with me to Alamo Square in hopes of catching a glimpse of Uncle Jessie, a bus arrived and no less than 50 point and shoot toting tourists filed out and began taking self portraits right in front of my shot. About 30min later after the bus driver finished his smoke, they were corralled back onto the bus and set off to peir 39 or some other tourist trap. I was finally able to have an un-obstructed view of these 3-4 million dollar Victorian style shacks.

Muir Woods, just north of San Francisco as the fog receded out of the trees.

Near Stinson Beach California. A wet, dense blanket of fog wraps the hillside and coats my lens after less than 1 minute of shooting.

Iconic Pigeon Point Lighthouse on the Coastal Highway near Pescadero California