Posts Tagged ‘hiking’

The Perch Shelter – White Mountains, NH

The Perch Shelter - White Mountains, NH
The Perch Shelter – White Mountains, NH
 

Just read "The Perch" shelter located along the Perch Path in Cascade Ravine in the White Mountains, New Hampshire will be closed from July 12 to August 20 while the Randolph Mountain Club (RMC) renovates it.

You can read the alert here.

Enjoy!


Missing Winter..

Mount Madison – White Mountains, New Hampshire
 

Missing Winter..

Last few days have been pretty hot here in New Hampshire. Can’t wait for winter.

Enjoy!


White Mountains, NH – Alpine Zone Winter

Air Line Trail – White Mountains, NH
 

It is sad to see the end of winter come so quick this year. I guess it had to end sometime, but it feels like the season just started. One of my projects for this winter season was to document extreme weather conditions in the alpine zones of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. I spend so much time in the alpine zones during bad weather I decided to focus on it.

Rock Cairns Along Crawford Path – White Mountains, NH
 

Over the last few years I have seen so many images showing the open ridges of the mountains as a warm friendly place during the winter season. Photographers use various methods to produce this “warm “ feeling. Two quick ways are by adjusting the camera’s white balance or using a warming filter. This effect can also be added to the image using Lightroom and Photoshop.

Mount Washington, New Hampshire - Tuckerman Ravine
Tuckerman Ravine  – White Mountains, NH
 

Down in the valleys a warm winter scene is what you aim for when making an image, but not in the alpine zone. The alpine zones of the White Mountains are cold places with temperatures constantly around zero, strong winds and whiteout conditions. Many days it only takes a few minutes for frostbite to take over your finger tips or toes. The fact that Mount Washington is home to some of the worst weather in the world should be considered when making images in this environment.

Gulfside Trail – White Mountains, NH
 

All of the winter and most of the spring season the above conditions can be found in the alpine zones of the mountains. As a photographer I have never really understood the obsession of creating a warm image in this kind of environment? Its not a warm and inviting place at all.

Mount Washington – White Mountains, NH
 

As a editorial photographer producing a cold, cold landscape as a warm friendly inviting place is somewhat falsifying the image.  It is kinda on the same lines as adding or removing a person from a shot using photoshop. This practice has never been tolerated in editorial photography. Yes, the warm image has market value, but it is not a accurate representation of the scene. 

Mount Washington – White Mountains, NH
 

My objective was to show the true alpine zone. Cold, strong winds and whiteout conditions! The real question? Did I successfully produce images that show the White Mountains during extreme winter conditions?

If you would like to see more extreme weather images click here.

Enjoy!


First Day of Winter


Mount Lafayette – December 21, 2009

December 21, 2009 – The first day of winter.

Finally the best season of the year is hear! Strong winds, whiteout conditions, waist deep drifts and spruce traps that swallow your hiking partner. All part of the winter excitement. Winter in the White Mountains is like no other season and many consider it to be the best time to explore the mountains.


Mount Lafayette – December 21, 2009

Winter started in grand fashion this year with whiteout conditions, bone chilling temperature and winds that knock most over.


Mount Lafayette – December 21, 2009

Visibility was null and void at 5,260 feet on the summit of Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire USA.


Frosty Goggles

Take a hike this winter in the White Mountains, NH and experience this winter wonderland first hand. And good luck to all the peak baggers chasing the winter list with hopes to finish in one season. If the first day of the season is any indication of how the weather is going to be then it could be a tough challenge this year.

Enjoy!


Dusk till Dawn images


Franconia Notch Parkway – Lincoln, NH USA

A new image gallery has been added to ScenicNH.com.. The gallery is referred to as “White Mountains, NH – dusk till dawn” and the images are focused around the mountains. The title “Dusk till dawn” should give you a good idea of the type of imagery included in this gallery.


Mount Washington Resort – Bretton Woods, NH USA

One of the best times to explore the White Mountains, NH is during the night. From a simple trail hike to the summit of Mount Washington, night time in the mountains is a awesome experience.


Mount Washington – White Mountains, NH USA

View the White Mountains, NH – Dusk till Dawn image gallery click here.

Enjoy!


Winter Hiking Season


Hikers climb Greenleaf Trail to Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire

With winter so close… Its knocking on the door in the White Mountains, New Hampshire and it wont be long before the landscape is a winter wonderland. Some hikers pack it up for the year when the snow starts flying, but others get ready for the best season of the year. Most locals start chomping at the bit in November waiting for the first big snow storm.


Tuckerman Ravine in Whiteout Conditions

The weather changes instantly during the winter and should be monitored at all times. Clear skies to whiteout conditions is routine. One of the more impressive places to visit during the winter is Tuckerman Ravine. Tuckerman Ravine is located on the eastern slopes of Mount Washington, New Hampshire.


Lions head in Whiteout Conditions

One of the main routes to the summit of Mount Washington is Lions Head Trail, which starts in Tuckerman Ravine. Most days strong winds cause whiteout conditions and visibility is next to nothing.


Mount Washington, New Hamshire USA

The Presidential Range of the White Mountains takes on a new look when covered in snow. Blue bird days will stay with you forever. Enjoy!


Sandwich Range – Mount Chocorua


Mount Chocorua – Albany, New Hampshire

Mount Chocorua, located on the eastern end of the Sandwich Range is one of the most underrated mountains in New Hampshire USA . With an elevation of 3,490 feet Mount Chocorua does not qualify as a 4,000 footer, but don’t let that stop you from spending a day on the summit of this wonderful mountain.


Scenic views from Mount Chocorua

Three Sisters can also be seen from the summit of Mount Chocorua.


Three Sisters from Mount Chocorua

The rocky summit offers views in all directions and attracts hikers day in and day out. Spending alone time on this summit is usually not possible even midweek.


A hiker near the summit of Mount Chocorua

Just below the summit cone is “Cow Rock”. Cow Rock is a small cave in which Frank Bolles, who was a naturalist and writer spent the night in.


Cow Rock – Mount Chocorua

Just below Mount Chocorua’s summit cone is the Jim Liberty Cabin. The cabin was built in 1934 and is secured down by large chains. The chains are a cool feature of the cabin. The cabin is also located where the old Peak House use to be.


Jim Liberty Cabin just below the summit of Mount Chocorua

If you would like to see more images of Mount Chocorua click here.

Enjoy!


White Mountains, NH Panoramics

If you are looking for that perfect header for your personal or business website check out the panoramics section of ScenicNH.com. Focused around the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA these images will work great on any website. Images include Appalachian Trail, Eagle Cliff, Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. See below for examples.

If you would like to see more White Mountains, New Hampshire USA Panoramics click here. All images can be licensed as stock photography at the above link. Enjoy!


Leave No Trace – Pack it in, Pack it out

Sawyer River Trail - White Mountains, NH
Sawyer River Trail – White Mountains, NH
 

The Leave No Trace program is a very effective program that uses simple principles and common sense to promote back-country ethics. The program has been around for a number of years and has been very affective in creating awareness.

Sawyer River Trail - White Mountains, NH
Sawyer River Trail – White Mountains, NH
 

As hikers we can minimize this problem by using the simple principles. Pack it in, Pack it out. Help protect the environment!

Sawyer River Trail - White Mountains, NH
Sawyer River Trail – White Mountains, NH
 

If you are interested in learning more about "Leave No Trace" Ethics Click here. This website contains great information that will help everyone.

Enjoy!


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