Fractured Granite, Reflections. Kings Canyon National Park, California. September 15, 2013. © Copyright 2013 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
The base of a rugged granite wall reflected in the still surface of a sub-alpine Sierra Nevada lake
A few days ago I returned from a 9-day trip into the back-country of Kings Canyon National Park. I was one of a group of four photographers who traveled to a remote location at about 11,000′, where we remained for more than five days, photographing the surrounding terrain morning and evening. We followed the common routine of such work – up before dawn and off to investigate and photograph some valley or lake, back by mid or late morning for breakfast, generally hanging out and doing camp chores during the midday period when the light is often less exciting, then back out in the late afternoon for a few more hours of exploration and photography before returning to camp for a post-sunset dinner. Unlike a typical backpack trip, where one rarely stays in the same place for long, we remained in the same camp for six nights, allowing us to really get to know the surrounding area very well.
With so much time, we were frequently able to return to places that we had already visited – perhaps coming back in the evening after a morning visit, returning to try again to catch a subject that didn’t have the right light the first time, or shooting the subject in various conditions ranging from clear skies to rain. This bit of interesting rock was next to a lake that I walked to on a number of occasions, and on this morning I arrived when the lake was still in shadow but illuminated by light reflected from nearby rock faces. Because it was so early the air was very still, allowing me to photograph this very sharp reflection of the fractured granite cliff where it entered the water. A bit of vegetation just above the waterline has taken on early fall colors.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more.
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Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.
Wow, this is absolutely beautiful!
Question: Did you pack all your camping and photo equipment in yourself? That had to be a load…!
I’m getting ready to backpack into Havasu Falls, and I’m debating whether I should get a new pack that accommodates my camera gear as well as my camping gear or pay to have it muled out. I can handle the “in” part, but that hike out (up) is brutal.
Jerry, this turns out to be a slightly complex question…
I’ve been backpacking for decades, and have always carried my camera (and other) gear on my back. You can read more about my approach to backpacking photography here. My practice has been to carry about 15 pounds or so of camera equipment – one full frame body, up to three zoom lenses, a tripod, some filters, extra batteries, and so forth.
However…
On this most recent trip I did something I have never done before – we used a pack train for support. The group of photographers I traveled with has been doing this each summer for a bit more than a decade now. They tend to travel “heavier” than I do (they may carry up to three complete photographic systems) and tend to stay in one place for a long time. In the past I have joined them on foot and somewhat envied the gear and food and so forth that they could carry on pack animals. This year when I accompanied them they invited me to be “one of the group” and also use the pack animals.
I can’t tell you what to do at Havasu, at least partly because I have never hiked there.
Dan
Thanks for the info, Dan. If you’re interested, I’ll let you know how the Havasupai trip rolls out… I can’t see not carrying a tripod, so it may be time to upgrade.
OK, Mr Mitchell. I just finished loading my backpack for 4 nights/5 days at Havasu Falls. It’s a 10 mile hike in, and the expected temps are 60-70 during the day and low 40’s at night. My TOTAL pack weight: camera gear (including a fairly beefy tripod), food, water (1/2 gal), sleeping system, etc, etc, etc is 35 lbs. I may suffer at night as I’m just using a quilt and a down jacket. Unfortunately the accurracy/reliability of the weather forecast is suspect as NOAA is down right now due to the closure of government services. The risk factor is relatively low as Havasupai has food/shelter/medical within 2 miles of the campground, but I would not feel too unsafe with this kit, under similar weather expectations, even if it there wasn’t an easy option to bail out.
That’s a pretty light pack for including photo gear! As long as your weather is good it sounds like you should be OK.
Dan
Outstanding!
Wow, Dan… One of your best, IMHO…!