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FREY PATAGONIA, A Climbing Story for CampoBase Magazine

2012-01-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

John "Verm" Sherman and I went to Patagonia last February and climbed the unique spires of Frey. This place is tucked in the mountains of the northern part of Patagonia, Argentina. It's just outside of Bariloche, where the weather is more enjoyable then the windy rainy conditions of the southern, Fitz Roy. We backpacked in our gear in, except for food and cooking supplies, for a week. It rained the first day but the rest was good weather and the rock was great trad climbing. Verm found a few boulders to crush along the path. Plus, there was food, beer and wine waiting for us in the Frey Refugio at the end of the day.

After the trip I put a slideshow together for us and friends. I sent it over the web to folks. CampoBase a spanish magazine liked it and wanted our story. Verms words and photos from both of us. And photos of us climbing. WE DID IT!

MENTOR AND FRIEND

2012-01-13T10:12:00.002-07:00

My mentor and great friend, John Running, has been working and playing photogeek with me for over 20 years. I can't image a better person to share and learn with. Running has a big influence in my work, life and heart.

He sent me this photo of him as a young man when he just started photography in the marines and i love it. Thank you Big R for all you are. With love from up the hill. Dkish

To see his work go to johnrunning.com.

Icefall Lodge - Canada

2011-12-15T11:11:00.007-07:00

For those who love backcountry skiing and photography. Check this out. A week with great skiers Scott Miller, Vanessa Flory, Jeff Annetts and Charlotte Moats rocking in the backcountry. Plus, me and my great photogeek friends Bill Hatcher and Doug Marshall getting the shots.

Also for more photos check out this black and white on line gallery. Or for those who love color.

Thanks to Hot Shot Video Productions for creating a fun video and Icefall Lodge.

National Geographic Adventure Online ..... Shooting "The Needles", SD

2011-10-12T11:58:00.001-07:00

NGA on line did an interview with me on shooting the "10 pins in a day" at The Needles of South Dakota. It was a great day because the morning looked like rain but the photo gods were with us bringing the sunshine. NGA also did an interview with the climber, John "Verm" Sherman, on his achievement that day.

Arizona Highways Magazine - Grand Archaeology

2011-10-09T19:51:00.022-07:00

In the new October issue of Arizona Highways Magazine is an article about the archaeology excavations that took place between 2007-2009. Highways is an amazing publication with beautiful landscapes and creative profiles of the culture of Arizona. It was a thrill to see my work in an eight page feature with a project i'm fond of. Jeff Kida, the photo editor, really appreciated my eye and can see the creative of telling a story. Thanks Jeff.

This work is now on exhibit at the Museum of Northern Arizona till August 2012. Check out the story about the ancient people that lived 1,000 to 10,000 years ago along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. A rare look at actual digs since 1960's. Here is a link to more photos of the project.

SAN JUAN RIVER TRIP

2011-09-19T19:42:00.003-07:00

Times have not been good for the economy and so forth. It is always good not to think about these things and go down the river once in awhile. When your rowing your boat or paddling down some fun white water, all seems to get washed a way. Ha ha! At least for a little bit. Here is a great private trip down the San Juan River, from Mexican Hat to Clay Hills. No assignment or any job but good times and water therapy.

click on this link to see the video

CampoBase-an amazing spanish climbing magazine

2011-08-01T16:12:00.009-07:00

CampoBase is a Spanish climbing magazine. It has the look and feel of the U.S. Alpinist magazine. Many huge photo spreads and beautiful thick paper. QUALITY! I had pitched them a story that Carrie Cooper and I worked on called the Hueco Wanker 101. They loved it and wanted to publish. When I received the magazine via snail mail, it was a thrill to see that the small story we did, was a full feature of 12 pages. This makes Dawn Kish, a happy dog, to see my photos published as double page spreads and full pages. Also Campos Base has the insight to play with color and black and white. It’s a photographers wet dream, to have the editors make beautiful publishing love to my photography. Again, happy happy! Cheers to a magazine that still does it the right way. CampoBase makes quality over the main stream typical crap. Congratulations! Now, they would like another story about climbing in Patagonia. I’ll blog that too when it comes up but for now, time for a cold shower.

THE NEEDLES OF SOUTH DAKOTA

2011-07-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

Just a quicky... I'm in the Needles of South Dakota. This place is really unique. A slice of apple pie in the Black Hills. I think this place is under rated by the climbing scene, which is a good thing. Lets face it. You need nerves of steel to climb these run out spires of mica. This rock doesn't have a lot of weaknesses for protection. So the climbs get SCARY hard. The X factor is high, so falling is not an option.

The photography factor is high too. Just look at these spires of inspiration.

Hands and the Picket Fence

Becky and Josh on top of Tent Peg, 10 Pins

Becky on Tent Peg

Cheyenne on top of Super Pin

Mica

Verm in the chimney of Spire 2

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

2011-07-12T10:10:00.002-07:00

El Cap at Night

Just a note about climbing the Nose in September. I didn't say which September. HA! My injuries are catching up with me but i'm not going to let that bug me. I'm going ahead with my plan and keep on training what I can.

NO ROPES, NO HARNESS

2011-07-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Check out these guys working....pretty amazing view. Photographs of the Empire State Building under construction, 1931. all photos : L. W. Hine.

THE ROAD TO THE NOSE AND GOLD

2011-07-08T14:02:00.006-07:00

My new gold tusk. photo: Verm

About 2 months ago, my friend Verm asked me what my climbing goals were. One of them is to climb The Nose of El Cap. But I never had anyone willing to teach me and suffer with me. He said lets do it and work out a training mission. I’m psyched.

About a month and half ago, I found out that I cracked a tooth and needed a gold crown. Our plan to leave for the next 4 months on a climbing road trip was put on hold. I needed to get my metal mouth done before the road to The Nose.

About 2 weeks ago, a new gold tusk replaced the old one. It’s shiny new and smooth. I like to touch it with my tongue.

Our timing was off but we managed to get a bunch of training techniques in around Flagstaff. We worked on crack climbing, aid, jugging and hauling. None I’m to good at. Training is a necessity. My friend Billy Bob said “You have to get the dance down.”

Sounds good….Lets dance!

Tahquitz, CA

Verm jugging, The Forks

The Pillow Wall, Paradise Forks, AZ

Verm on Davison Dihedral, The Forks

Verm passing a knot, Glorias, AZ

Dkish learning to haul, Jacks Canyon

Broken Piton, Tahquitz, CA

UTE MOUNTAIN for National Geographic Traveler

2011-03-31T09:02:00.002-07:00

I'm in the office trying to procrastinate, and so, I write in my blog. I should be dealing with paper work but who wants to do that? This post is obviously working to delay any routine pushing papers. I returned home from a 3 week trip to Patagonia and still feel like I'm down there. Maybe my soul didn't make the flight home. It could be over the South Atlantic Ocean still? If you find it tell her to come back to me.

Anyhoot, onto business. Going through my mail, a package from National Geographic Traveler arrived. A story I covered last year along with my friend/writer David Roberts, made the pages of the April 2011 issue.

Ute Mountain Tribal Park is a special place to explore ancient dwellings in a relaxed state. If you're into publoean archaeological sites, this place should be on the top of your list. You don't feel like a piece of cattle whilst in this Ute operated park. Official sites usually have strict rules, for good reason of course, but feel like you have not explored anything because all is in a neat package. The Ute sites are raw but still preserved and have a sense that the Anasazi just left. You will still see raw organic architecture, corn cobs, points, pottery sherds and I even found a piece of rope. But please look, photograph and then return them for others to experience.

Ok, back to the paperwork.

Wanker 101: Climbing Magazine Feb. 2011

2011-03-26T15:59:00.031-07:00

Climbing Magazine published a recent article of the Hueco Wanker 101 written by Carrie Cooper and photos by me.

cover by : boone speed of chris sharma

The Wanker 101 is a climbing bouldering circuit that combined, stands about 1,500 feet tall , residing at North Mountain, Hueco Tanks, Tx.

My friend Carrie Cooper wanted to climb the long circuit with her amigo, Andy Klier, then write about the experience. She called me one day whilst I was in NYC, asked if I wanted to join her on the journey and photo document the adventure. Hell Yeah! So we jumped in my van and off to Hueco we go. What a thrilling opportunity to get out of the city to climb, do photos and to see one of my best buddies trials, tribulations and exultations. Her story and my photos found it's way into the pages of Climbing Magazine a year later in February 2011.

You can read it on line at Climbing.com and/or for more photos of the event check out my slideshow.

They would keep track of the Wanker with a Sharpie to the forearm.

Ancient Art and the Art of Ashes

2010-12-07T10:12:00.023-07:00

Time is moving fast. There is not enough time to climb everything I want to climb before my body totally gives out or dies. I will try and do as much as possible with what I have.

Aimee with Mikes ashes

Ancient Art is a spire around the Moab area that looks like time took to beating to it. And not enough time to form actual solid rock. Recently my friend, Aimee Roseborrough, propositioned me with this sandy climb, a hula hoop, a photo and some ashes. Usually folks want to climb for the sake of just climbing a rock face or climbing something amazing like a desert spire. Ancient Art is one of these amazing spires. I can say it is the coolest spire, I have ever climbed, in all the Southwest. It looks like a muddy twisty sand castle and it looks so old that it will fall over soon. So, I thought I better climb it before it does or before I fall.

Aimee had a great plan and I wanted to be apart of it. Her cousin, Mike, unfortunately died at an early age and she had some of his ashes. She wanted to be in the Moab area to release his ashes into the desert. The spire would be a perfect spot. But this continues, she wants to hula hoop on top of the spire as well. What a release. What a great celebration. What fun. This is where the awesome photo comes in and one amazing climb. I'm so glad to have had this opportunity, to be part of Mikes release, to do an amazing climb, have a great afternoon in the desert and do some interesting fun photos.

Me doing the hula

Earlier this year my friend, Janet Guenther, wanted to send her friends ashes into the wind on top of a climb as well. Jonny Copp was an amazing climber, photographer and writer. Now, a little bit of him will be in my little crag down the way in Northern AZ.

May all R.I.P. in this land of the beautiful southwest desert. I'm glad your near.

Janet with Copp ashes

The Price for Photography

2010-10-27T07:26:00.003-07:00

It amazes me when I see photographers work or any artist selling their work, long after they are dead. Check out this catalog of great photography. Not all of these artist are gone but this is the top dollar photography art world. http://www.swanngalleries.com/3dcat/2226/

Jill Church

2010-10-23T19:12:00.007-07:00

Ok so i'm a little slow on the Blog thang. But at least I'm telling a story about this year. In May, Dead Point Magazine emailed me and wanted a few photos on local climber Jill Church. I didn't really know who or what kind of magazine but I'm delighted for a little adventure into another climbers world. Plus it was an all girl issue and edited by Jackie Hueftle. I'm in.

Jill is pregnant. A pregnant badass. She is still climbing after 5 months and doesn't even look pregnant. We decide to shoot nothing harder than V4 and no high balls. Before her bun in the oven, she was crushing v10. A nurse, living a few blocks from the Flagstaff Hospital is now popular by demand. Not only Dead Point but Urban Climber wants to profile her and make her the Scarpa climber of the year.

So here are the photos from our shoot at Gloria's, Flagstaff, AZ.

My New/Old Climbing Buddies

2010-10-23T10:46:00.024-07:00

Ed Ward racking up to do Zebra Zion (10b), Smith Rock, Or.

A writer friend of mine, David Roberts, organizes an all men climbing adventure at least once a year. Testosterone only friends from his old climbing days gather to climb, drink scotch and sit around a campfire. But, that is in the past. As he and his buddies age over the 60 mark, they seem not to mind inviting a girl to come out and climb. They are coming out my way this year to Sedona and I’m invited to join the boys.

Close to my Flagstaff home, beautiful Sedona spires are a little over an hour away to the south. David asks if the red rock in Sedona is a good place to climb for his dude climbing trip. I’m only to speak highly of the area because I love being FREAKED OUT on these climbs. Some of these routes have dried mud just clinging to the side of the cliff and these are called good holds. Some routes have sandy slabby grit to hold onto, got to love that.

I met David and his friends climbing out at a crag up the hill from Sedona called the Overlook. This is where I met Ed Ward. I can tell by the sparkle in his eye, we are going to be friends. At 67, Ed is a badass climber and always has been. We seem to climb at the same level and have a good connection. The next thing I know, we are climbing in the Gunks and just recently at Smith Rocks. The next time, who knows? But I can’t wait to go climbing again. The way he moves on the rock is astounding and inspiring but on the ground he can barely walk. I think it is from years of mountaineering that have put those knees to a bad state. David and Ed were elite mountaineers, along with some other buddies back east. I wish they would tell the tales of the old days. Next time I’ll have to drink more coffee and less scotch to stay up with them around the campfire.

On the last day, David is in awe of the climbing here. He looks at me honestly and says, “These FA’s were put up in the 50’s. I had no idea.” I look at him with a smirk. Because I know he has climbed EPIC mountains but these little spires, pack a punch.

Story : April 2010

Photos at Smith Rock: October 2010

Ed climbing Double Trouble (5.10b)

Ed's bloody flapper after cruzing the crux on Ring of Fire (11d)

Matt and Ed

David Roberts

Running around Chihuahua

2010-10-20T16:06:00.011-07:00

What haven't I been up too lately... I could do a bunch of pieces on a little of everything. But, I'm just going to go with this top news at the moment and it is not about me. It's about my best friend, Raechel Running, she is an amazing photographer from AZ. I just received an email from her regarding getting an honorable mention at The Santa Fe Workshop Contest. It is exciting to see her work out there and folks enjoying it. Check it out! Her work in Chihuahua, Mexico is fantastic. Plus the Santa Fe Workshops are growing and produce more creative photographers every year.

TRIGGER - my little buddy

2010-03-10T14:52:00.023-07:00

My lovely cat, Trigger, has gone through major surgery this month. His beautiful gold right eye turned black, then blind and then started to puss. ICK! The vet said it would be wise to remove it before it ruptures. Another ICK! Also, that it would be a dangerous risk because his kidneys are not strong and he might not make it. This was a VERY hard decision to make as his mama. He can't talk to me and help me. ICK, ICK, ICK! But finally, it MUST come out. Of course being a photographer, I'm very curious and wanted to watch and take photos. This is the photographer part of me wanting to tell the story and document the event. Not everyday this happens to a human and their fur-ball. The vet thought I would pass out, "even the tech's pass out when I pull on the eyeball" she explains with a cat like grin. Well, I was fine but worried about my little 16 year old man (112 in cat years). Over all, I think he is feeling better without that pressure in his head. The vet mentioned it was probably like having a headache 24/7. He is still super handsome. He will probably be staring in the next Tim Burton movie. Watch out Johnny Depp.

Back Lighting "The Magic"

2010-03-10T14:29:00.009-07:00

My photo of a recent wedding shot with Cameron of Wilson and Anne's Wedding.

Once in a while I am a 2nd shooter for my friend and fellow photogeek Cameron Clark. Sometimes her partner is off on another shoot or on a trip. These girls are busy! Recently, she sent me a link to a wedding website. http://www.theimageisfound.com Cameron being a wedding photographer thought if I were in the wedding business full time that this would be my site. I take it as a big compliment because what an amazing website and vision these folks have. I loved the fun, creative, documentary style and also love the back light in a bunch of the images. Back lighting to me is something special and magical. I love what happens with the sun's flare against the lens. You never know what your really going to create. Also, it's reminiscing the 70's editorial era. It feels very nostalgic, almost timeless.

RED BULL ILLUME CONTEST 2010

2010-02-18T13:33:00.006-07:00

In 2007, I won the Red Bull Illume Contest in my catagory "Close-Up". Now there is another fine contest for 2010. The deadline is at the end of February, so hurry and get your photos in. It was the best contest I ever submitted to. No fee and you own your photos. A great company to win with.

R.I.P.

2009-09-23T19:53:00.015-07:00

Bobby Model, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, photographer and climber, died 9/16/09 in his hometown of Cody, WY at age 36. Wow! I don't know Bobby but since i'm a photographer and climber and work for National Geographic too, I know his work. Thanks for capturing such fine light Bobby. You have and will continue to burn bright. Rest in peace.

In the past few weeks death has come to my door. Two people I have photographed in the last year have passed away. Hilary, an amazing young fly fishing guide in Teluride, CO, was in a car accident. I was photographing her for a Patagonia catalog submission. Then Daisy, an elder Dine woman with a spirit to rock a house, died from cancer. I was shooting her on assignment for National Geographic Adventure, "The Mystery of Everett Ruess: Solved?" It was an honor to be present in their lives even for a blip. I was there to take a few photos that now are charished images to friends and family. Both family's called me for photos for their ceremonies. Of course, i dropped everything that second to get out the requests.

Photographs are SO important in our lives. They are helpers to remember the past and document the important. Photographs are a collective of heart and light, just like great memories. Rest in peace.

Old School Slides

2009-08-26T13:33:00.007-07:00

A fellow photographer, Jason Hasenbank, with the Flagstaff Photography Center asked me to help out with a "Teen's On the Go" workshop. I was so excited to find out it was with Holga's and film. It was so nice to remember the way the film felt in my hands and the smell of plastic camera's. I love working with different mediums of photographic art and to show these kids maybe a "once in a life time" dying art, is a treat. Jason has a month with these kids in the darkroom and learning contact prints ect. I'm so excited he is teaching such an amazing class and honored he brought me in for a session.

After this, I started to go through some of my old negs and slides. I'm now throwing away all these old slides that have been down in a crate collecting dust. It is time to clean out the old. I'll still save the good ones. It is time to just let go of the bad ones from the past.

Return to Three Turkey Ruin

2009-05-25T17:48:00.030-07:00

Three Turkey Ruin in Three Turkey Canyon, AZ is one of the best preserved ruins in the southwest, by Mother Nature herself. Back in May of 2008, I was humbled by it's grand presence at the top of the Canyon. Now, a year later, even more so at the Canyons bottom. I'm now mystified looking up and all around at the richness this place holds. As we backpack through the whole canyon, there seems to be a treasure behind every turn, a ruin in every huge alcove and rock art on every sheer cliff.

It all started with friend and writer David Roberts and I doing a story on Canyon De Chelley, for National Geographic Adventure (issue February 2009). David's curiosity got him looking about the area and we found ourselves at one of the most amazing non tourist and rarely touched ruin I have ever seen. We both looked at each other and agreed it would be amazing to return to the beauty below us.

The ruin is built HIGH above into a cliff alcove about 30+ feet. An urge to climb is almost irresistible, it calls you to join the ancient ones before us. How did they climb like that and make these empires? Climbing into Three Turkey Ruin is officially off-limits to visitors, according to the Navajo Nation. Look with your eyes and not your hands and feet.

Every twist in the Canyon offered us rock art and other ruins along the way. We were also fortunate with underground water that came up here and there to help us along our journey.

I have no idea what the pictographs above mean but as an artist they are inspiring.

Gavin Wilson, NYC artist extravaganza, joins us backpacking as well. Finding this natural bridge was one of many surprises along the bottom of the Canyon.

Lowering our backpacks a few times over pour-overs seems to be easier than using your back.

Finding remains in the desert as we walk in a sandstorm toward our finish.

David Roberts at the end of the day, soaking up rays of the juniper campfire.

And if you made it past this story, check out the other story on Canyon De Chelley I posted on this blog back in February.

Thanks to David and Gavin for a great trip. Also a special thanks goes out to the native people of that country. Walk in beauty.

NEW ZEALAND 3/2009

2009-05-10T20:52:00.015-07:00

I'm editing thousands and thousands of photos from New Zealand. "This was a trip of a life time" as Gavin, my man, puts it. And yes, for sure he is right. Everyday was amazing, beautiful and cute. Yes, cute. Everywhere we went was adorable hobbit land all the way to the vast landscape of another planet. We photographed nature, adventure, plants, animals, landscapes, close-ups....EVERYTHING. Along with our friend Bill Hatcher, we would photogeek all day long taking in this most amazing place.

The wildlife on these islands is limited, no predators really but we did come in contact with slick looking seals and pups. Being from the desert I was so excited to be so close to them to where they would charge us. This was New Zealand, not in a zoo cage or looking far off the coast at little ants. Here are a few portraits of the lovely seals we encountered so closely. I'm a people photographer and I thought that I would post something different.

EVERETT RUESS FOUND

2009-04-29T16:58:00.011-07:00

Well, well, well.... after 70+ years Everett Ruess finally appeared. The DNA was conclusive as a positive match. What a great story about a missing young southwest adventurer now found . You can read the rest of the story in National Geographic Adventure. I had the privilege to photograph the people who found him buried around Comb Ridge, Utah. Thanks to Denny, Daisy, Ron and David Roberts for his passionate persistence.

BLOG BABBLE ...

2009-04-29T16:27:00.007-07:00

BLOGS are cool but I find it hard to keep updating what I shoot. I need a blogphotogeekmaster to keep this going. I don't even think folks are checking this out? Today, I missed out on doing laps in the pool or shooting some climbing because of updating this and password that and moving files where? Sounds like I'm complaining but I swear I'm not. I love blogs. I love to check out other blogs and learn what is up. Some blogs I adore, aphotoeditor.com or strobist.blogspot.com, these are creative learning tools of the trade. I also enjoy the blogs of other professionals and artists. I'm just observing that I'm not out there shooting or climbing. That is where I would love to be. In the dirt. But this new techphotobabble has me caught in the web. One of these days I'll get those New Zealand photos up...heehee.

Canyon De Chelley for Adventure Magazine

2009-02-26T12:28:00.008-07:00

Kalvin Watchman, Navajo Guide, standing beside a stack of prayer stones. Canyon De Chelly

* * *

Canyon De Chelley is an amazing place. This is where the ancient ones lived before us, high up in their cliff dwellings. National Geographic Adventure gave me an assignment to document a story about the history and beautiful landscape, plus, tag along with Contributing Editor, David Roberts. I'm putting these photos up because if you saw the magazine article these photos were cut in half and really don't show the whole picture.

Three Turkey Ruin, Canyon De Chelly

Moon Dog

2008-08-19T12:39:00.007-07:00

on Thursday, 8/7/08, i lost my beautiful best friend Monday Girl a.k.a. Moon Dog. she was 101.5 years old and her body was breaking down, breaking my heart. now she is in doggie heaven. i took these photos the day before her departure of the physical world. i wanted to share her beauty with you. i miss her.

Arizona Highways and Tai Chi

2008-08-01T09:49:00.009-07:00

Hey all you Arizona Highways Magazine buffs. Looks like a new look and a new editor again. August 2008 issue has Adventure photography included. It looks great and I'm happy that this shot of Nate doing a little Tai Chi caught their eye. Thanks Nate!

Grand Archaeology Exhibit

2008-07-23T13:35:00.010-07:00

My Grand Archaeology photo exhibit at the Museum of Northern Arizona has ended. It ran from March 22nd - July 13th 2008. The exhibit consisted of documentary photographs of the new archaeology excavations along Grand Canyons river corridor. The digital prints were made by Hance Partners. If you missed it and live in Flagstaff, well, there is a word for you folks. But if you got the time to come by and check it out, I thank you. This was a big deal to me. I never thought I would have a photo exhibit in a museum. I feel really lucky. I do believe this show will travel to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 2010 at the Kolb Studio. This will also be an honor.

My Lovely Accountant

2008-05-12T20:39:00.004-07:00

There is something about my job that is so special, like taking a portrait of my accountant, Roberta Motter. She looks great and rules my world every chance we meet. I love it when I can call her when I'm totally oblivious to the tax world. Thanks to her I'm still on track.

A Quote

2008-04-24T10:48:00.001-07:00

"Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge," says educator Bill Bullard. "It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge is "empathy", for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world. It requires profound, purpose‐larger‐than‐the‐self kind of understanding."

DOG PARTY USA

2008-04-23T12:23:00.005-07:00

Hollye Schumacher, a lovely dog/wedding/portrait photographer, asked me to shoot a "Dog Party" last week. I love dogs and thought this would be fun and different. I asked what kind of photos she needed from me, she said do what ever I wanted. So, my natural instinct is to capture the dogs being dogs. The real deal, with all butt sniffing, peeing, swimming, licking and rolling that they do.

Adventure Magazine March 2008

2008-04-16T12:41:00.010-07:00

Last month, a few assignments came together in the March issue of National Geographic Adventure. One on a personal story about a traditional Navajo sheep herder in Monument Valley and another on Arch Hunting in Canyonlands and Zion National Park. Sabine Meyer was my lovely photo editor.

Grand Falls a.k.a Chocolate Falls

2008-04-16T12:17:00.014-07:00

Grand Falls is on the Navajo Reservation and is part of the Little Colorado River in AZ. Known to many as "Chocolate Falls" because of its muddy color, this massive waterfall is higher than Niagara Falls, with a vertical relief of 185 feet. Pretty amazing!

Thanks to expert kayaker, Tyler Williams, John Benson, Slick and fellow photogeek, Kyle George, for helping to make these shots work.

Sky Gypsies : Aerotreking assignment for National Geographic Adventure

2008-03-31T15:37:00.012-07:00

January 1st, 2008, Sky Gypsy assignment from National Geographic Adventure Magazine. This blog post is a little late but we all know how time flys. Speaking of flying. Here are some shots of a fantastic assignment in Rodeo, New Mexico, about aerotreking. Cruising around in the sky on a Kite Wing or a.k.a. Trikes, a light sport aircraft regulated by the FAA. They are like a glider with a prop motor, not an ultra light. Aerotreking is what the new game is, these cool crafts can get into places you can't hike, bike or drive.

Thanks to my great pilot, John Kemmeries, I was able to get some great shots. Also, thanks to all the Gypsies for being in front of my lens, what an amazing group of sub-geniuses and multi-dimensional folks.

Climbers Hand

2007-12-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

This shot called Climbers Hand won the close up category at the Red Bull Extreme Photo Contest in Aspen, CO, January 2007. It has made it's way into climbing mags and posters. Now, it shows it's self on a cover of a Spanish rock climbing magazine, Campos Base. I love Spain. I love this shot.

JUST BLOG IT!

2007-07-13T10:50:00.001-07:00

yadda yadda, I have a yippie skippy new blog.