That's 2700 miles! Just got home from a tour of good ol' CA.
I shot the Allen/Harris wedding in Yosemite on the 17th of May, and then headed to the coast to visit the Big Sur area as well as some SoCal beach time with friends.
We started off visiting Bishop, CA to climb in the Buttermilks for a day. We enjoyed many high boulder problems and moderate solos on the impeccable granite.
Here Richard Noggin warms up on the Peabody boulders
The moonset over the Sierras
Then we headed into Yosemite Valley to shoot, climb, and get ready for the wedding. The first morning there I spent walking along the banks of the Merced river capturing its power and beauty.
Lost Arrow Spire and the Yosemite Falls Creek under an evening glow.
Being in the right place at the right time to capture these ancient trees with a beautiful dogwood tree illuminated just right.
Every time I head out to shoot it's an adventure and I always strive to maintain the highest standards of safety, but in shooting climbing it is a dangerous environment with risk. i have accepted this aspect of something that I am so passionate about capturing.
I got a crew of climbers to head up a route near Yosemite Falls called Commitment. We headed out early in the morning and I raced ahead to fix lines. I setup some rope covers as I lowered down to protect the rope running over edges, but as I moved around shooting my rope came into contact with an unforeseen edge that nearly cut through my entire sheath. The core was totally intact, but it was still a heart stopper.
After adjusting the rope and fixing the problem I continued to shoot, capturing these images.
JW Hackett easing through pitch 2
Sarah Mannion on pitch 3
Sarah Mannion working out the "committing" crux moves under the roof with the Sentinel watching in the background.
Sarah Mannion on pitch 1 with the mist from Yosemite Falls hanging over the massive sequoias.
JW stopped under the crux roof to snap a shot of me hanging in space with Half Dome watching over me doing what I love.
The wedding was a blast, the two families were so different, but everybody got along super well with minimal stress.
Slightly different approaches from the bride and groom in creating memories of the wedding party...
Cody Harris, the groom
The ceremony with Upper Yosemite Falls setting the scene. Beth and Cody met while working in Yosemite and for that reason chose to return there for the marriage.
As we left the Valley to head to the coast, a very large storm system moved through that made for some image opportunities.
Then we headed to San Francisco and the surroundings.
The Golden Gate bridge from the beaches near the Presidio
After a day in SF, we headed down into the Big Sur area. We surfed and slept at Sand Dollar beach.
Here my traveling companions, Richard Noggin and Sarah Budge pose while enjoying the sunset.
The next morning we departed early to rendevouz with some friends in San Clemente that evening. Along the way we spotted this beautiful little waterfall on Salmon Creek and stopped to enjoy.
Farther down the coast near Cambria we found an Elephant Seal breeding site. They were laid out over a few miles of coastline in the thousands.
Along with wildflowers blossoming all around on the coastline.
In San Clemente we surfed and relaxed with friends, headed to Vegas to see Cirque Du Soleil and then visited the Meadow hot springs.
Now back in SLC, I am gearing up for more shoots and climbing. Thanks for checking out my work, I hope that you enjoyed it and feel free to leave comments.
Then we headed into Yosemite Valley to shoot, climb, and get ready for the wedding. The first morning there I spent walking along the banks of the Merced river capturing its power and beauty.
The wedding was a blast, the two families were so different, but everybody got along super well with minimal stress.
Cody Harris, the groom
The ceremony with Upper Yosemite Falls setting the scene. Beth and Cody met while working in Yosemite and for that reason chose to return there for the marriage.
As we left the Valley to head to the coast, a very large storm system moved through that made for some image opportunities.
Then we headed to San Francisco and the surroundings.
The next morning we departed early to rendevouz with some friends in San Clemente that evening. Along the way we spotted this beautiful little waterfall on Salmon Creek and stopped to enjoy.
Farther down the coast near Cambria we found an Elephant Seal breeding site. They were laid out over a few miles of coastline in the thousands.
Along with wildflowers blossoming all around on the coastline.
In San Clemente we surfed and relaxed with friends, headed to Vegas to see Cirque Du Soleil and then visited the Meadow hot springs.
In the Arab Christian village of Taybeh this father of the Greek Orthodox church gave us a tour of a Byzantine era church that they still use for certain rituals including animal sacrifices.
The Jewish settlement of Shiloh in the West Bank is being excavated as a possible site for the historical town of Shiloh where the Jewish tabernacle was believed to be erected in its first permanent site after the 40 years of wandering in the Sinai wilderness.
The climbing in Wadi Quelt was outstanding!! The potential for routes limitless—minus the fact that the Israeli government doesn't currently allow anybody to bolt. Nonetheless the existing climbs were phenomal and the setting very inspiring with a large monastery built into the cliff side. Here Israeli climber Nimrod Nahmias nabs the redpoint of his project.
The Kedron Valley divides the Mount of Olives from the old city of Jerusalem. Here is a modern view of the houses and hills of modern Jerusalem.
An immense Jewish graveyard sits on the opposite side of the Kedron facing the Temple Mount.
The Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. I shot this image while wandering along the foothills of the Golan Heights—a disputed area of land between Syria and Israel.
The most iconic and magical part of the journey for me was visiting the Temple Mount and experiencing the Dome of the Rock mosque up close. I have always had a deep fascination with Islam, and through my studies have always been inspired by this structure. To finally be able to visit it was a lifelong dream.
Another mosque, this one in the town of Akko along the Mediterranean coast. Akko has been around for many many years, and it amazed me as we walked the underground passageways layer upon layer of civilization.
The from the Holy Land, which many consider the center of the universe to the another land many outdoor enthusiast would consider the center of their universe. Moab and Canyonlands. Here the edge of Monster Tower looks down on the White Rim
Thirsten Noflex works out a first ascent on a boulder after a day climbing Washer Woman tower, which looks down from the far left of the frame.
Climbers, Grace Rich and Scott Epperson scope the line to be taken on Washer Woman that day.
The mighty Colorado river from the White Rim Trail, such a magnificent specimen of errosion and beauty.
The world and its beauty fill my soul. These two trips were strikingly distinct, but the same message came through, people the world over follow their passion and find meaning, whether it be religious passion or adventure passion.
