Archive for category Winter/Snow
September 13, 2011 – Snoqualmie Pass
Posted by Dave in Mountains, Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on September 13, 2011
Snoqualmie Pass
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wow. I’ve been pretty terrible about updating this site lately. Only one post in all of August, and we’re halfway through September and I’m just getting around to making my first post. Sigh. And the bad news is, things probably aren’t going to change anytime soon. So, I hope you like this picture, is what I’m saying. Like, *really* like it. Hmm.
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel XT, 18-55mm kit lens. 1/1600s, f/7.1, ISO 100. Focal length: 55mm.
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July 22, 2011 – Monte Cristo Peaks
Posted by Dave in Mountains, Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on July 22, 2011
Monte Cristo Peaks, seen from Spada Lake
Friday, July 22, 2011
Just a quick post today to round out your Friday (or start off your Monday, if that’s when you’re seeing it.) This view was from the shore of Spada Lake, which is just a bit north of Highway 2 in the Startup/Gold Bar area. I wasn’t sure which peaks those were at the time, but I have since looked at a map. I’m fairly sure they are big peaks right next to the former-town of Monte Cristo (yes, the one along the Mountain Loop.) That is to say, Foggy Peak, Monte Cristo Peak, Kyes Peak, and Columbia Peak. I was kind of surprised to see that on the map, as I guess I just hadn’t really thought that closely about where exactly I was at the time. So, there you go. Have a great weekend!
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Unknown lens (but probably the Quantaray 70-300.) 1/1000s, f/11.0, ISO 200. Focal length: 70mm.
Popularity: 24%
July 20, 2011 – Chair Peak from International Bowl
Posted by Dave in Mountains, Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on July 20, 2011
Chair Peak from International Bowl, Alpental Ski Area
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I know, I know, another winter picture. Hey, it’s what I had handy. This is a view from in-bounds at Alpental (a ski area near Seattle), looking into the backcounty. That’s chair peak, and I was standing in International Bowl when I took the shot. I know I’ve said this before, but this is, more often than not, the kind of weather we get at our ski resorts. Lots of great snow, just not a whole lot of blue sky. Sometimes you’re skiing in the fog, sometimes the fog lifts a bit, but it’s generally pretty grey.
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens. 1/200s, f/13.0, ISO 100. Focal length: 50mm.
Popularity: 28%
June 30, 2011 – Mt. Rainier from Crystal Mountain
Posted by Dave in Mountains, Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on June 30, 2011
Mt. Rainier from Crystal Mountain
Thursday, June 30, 2011
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Hey again everybody. I apologize that the last two mountain-y pictures I’ve posted have both been wintertime shots. That wasn’t really the intention, it’s just kind of the way things worked out. But, I figured this one was appropriate because I just used it (earlier today!) to enter some cheeseball photo contest that Crystal Mountain (the ski resort) is having. Normally I make it a policy not to enter photo contests. Officially, my reasoning is that photos themselves (and the “quality” thereof) is entirely subjective, and thus the judging of photos to choose the “best one” is completely absurd. That there can be no such thing as a “best” photo, and so to pretend that you are judging photos as such is kind of insulting. Unofficially though, the real reason is because I know I wouldn’t win, and then I know that would make me feel bad. I generally prefer to not feel bad, so I save myself the trouble and I don’t enter, convincing myself that the *real* reason I didn’t enter was the one stated above.
So.. why did I enter this one, then? Not really sure, I guess I was just in a photo contest entering mood. And that’s a total lie. The reason I entered this one is because they were showing some of the other photos that had been entered so far, and they all basically sucked. I mean, like, photos-taken-with-cell-phones sucked. So I basically qualified my reasoning from above, by adding the clause “once the photos meet a certain, fairly low quality bar”. As in, “Once the photos meet a certain, fairly low quality bar, there can be no such thing as a ‘best’ photo”. I still don’t think I’ll win, because I figure the chances are pretty low that mine will be the only “real” (ie non cell-phone) photo entered, and it’ll probably be fairly arbitrary which one is picked as the winner (meaning, “somebody else will enter a picture that’s actually really effing cool”), but hey, we’ll see what happens. The rules were somewhat strict, in that it had to be a picture of Mt. Rainier taken from somewhere on Crystal mountain. But, since you can basically only see Rainier from the ridgeline at the top of the resort, most of the photos entered looked… basically the same. This one’s just a little bit different from the standard view (an example of which can be seen here, which was almost the one I submitted), so I’m hoping that counts for something. I had some *really* different shots, zooming way in so you could just see some of the trees you can see in this shot against the glacier in the background, but it wasn’t readily identifiable as Mt. Rainier, so I figured that might be a bit of a stretch. So, I settled on this one, and then moved on with my life. Which is also a lie, because clearly I’ve been talking about this stupid little photo contest for two paragraphs here on my entirely unrelated blog, so obviously it’s been on my mind most of the day, which is absurd. But, there it is.
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Canon 55-250mm IS lens. 1/200s, f/14, ISO 100. Focal length: 65mm.
Popularity: 27%
June 20, 2011 – Glacier National Park
Posted by Dave in Mountains, Picture of the Day, Winter/Snow on June 20, 2011
Glacier National Park
Monday, June 20, 2011
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Dang, dang, dang, dang. Dang. I’ve been meaning for more than a week now to toss up a picture or two from my northern-lights-chasing-adventure, but I keep forgetting to upload anything from my desktop machine at home. And now, it’s even worse, as I took some pictures of ladybugs this weekend that I was hoping to post, and I forgot to upload those too. Dang. Try again tonight, I guess.
In the meantime, here’s another shot from Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana. This is a view over into Glacier National Park from the top of the ski hill, that’s why I labelled the post the way I did. Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly known as Big Mountain), is, not surprisingly, just outside of Whitefish, Montana. It’s one of my favorite three ski hills in the world. Although, saying “in the world” is slightly misleading, as I certainly have not skied everywhere there is to ski. I *have* skied outside the US, so my opinion is at least an international one, but that was only just across the Canadian border in BC, so that’s hardly fair, even to the rest of Canada. But whatever, I still stand by my statement. This is one of my favorite three places to ski *IN THE ENTIRE WORLD*. Deal with it. Or, better idea, just go ski there. Perhaps it won’t become one of your three favorite places to ski, but you’re almost guaranteed to at least have a good time, and you’ll also get to try someplace new, which is also awesome. Unless you’ve been there before, in which case that particular incentive won’t apply.
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens. 1/500s, f/10.0, ISO 100. Focal length: 50mm.
Popularity: 14%
May 17, 2011 – Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
Posted by Dave in Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on May 17, 2011
Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
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Wait, didn’t I just post another picture yesterday?? Heck yes I did. That’s right, I’m shooting 2-for-2 this week boys and girls. I don’t actually remember the last time I managed to get 5 posts in during one week, but so far this week’s looking promising. We’ll see how the rest of the week goes.
This is Crystal Mountain. You can still ski there. I mean, it won’t look like this right now, but there will at least be some white stuff on the ground. Perhaps I’ll even get to see it for myself this weekend? Hmm, that might be a bit optimistic, we’ll see. But whatever happens, we’ll always have this picture to look at together. That’s right. Me and you.
Whoa, too personal, I’ve got to take a step back, I’m feeling a bit flushed.
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens. 1/125s, f/25.0, ISO 100. Focal length: 24mm.
Popularity: 26%
April 22, 2011 – Whistler Mountain
Posted by Dave in British Columbia, Mountains, Picture of the Day, Winter/Snow on April 22, 2011
View from Whistler Mountain
Friday, April 22, 2011
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One last post here to round out the week. And, in honor of the fact that both me and mother nature seem to be having a tough time letting go of this winter, I’m going to post another skiing shot. (Sadly, I won’t be making it up skiing this weekend – but my season is far from over!!)
This was taken from the summit of Whistler Mountain, at Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort in British Columbia. The normal picture that you’d take from up here would include Black Tusk, but I like this view too. The weather during this particular trip up there was a bit weird though. I took it in January of 2008, but the snow was a lot more like what you’d usually find in April. There was a warm spell that rolled through (that does happen from time to time up here in the PNW), so the snow, while pretty to look at, was kind of grabby and nasty. As in, it wasn’t quite warm enough to be soft and slushy like the *good* stuff you get in the spring (at least, not this high on the mountain, down low it was a lot nicer), but it wasn’t quite cold enough to be fully frozen either. (Yes, I prefer ice and hard-pack to grabby, but both of them are way at the bottom of the list.) Anyway, enough about the skiing. I like the view, and that’s what we’re here for.
Notes: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (Point and shoot). 1/1000s, ISO 80.
Popularity: 13%
April 13, 2011 – Mt. Baker Ski Area
Posted by Dave in Mountains, Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on April 13, 2011
Mt. Baker Ski Area
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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Turns out it’s still ski season here in Washington, which is awesome. Although no, this picture isn’t THAT recent, it’s from earlier this year, end of January I think. Remember how I said that I headed up to Mt. Baker that one particular day to take advantage of the sunshine? It’s still true! And this is from then!
The terrain you’re looking at (which is part of the Mt. Shuksan massif) is all out of bounds, probably inside the National Park boundary (and I’ve mentioned all this before.) Nice little slide right there on that little hummock. It’s not clear if those people you see in the picture caused it or not. I have an earlier picture two of them are standing on the top of the ridge above it, and the third guy is well below it on the next hummock down. By analyzing the ski trails, it looks like there’s a decent chance that he did start it. But, all three of them look pretty relaxed, which is definitely *not* how I’d look if either me or my buddy just narrowly avoided being buried in a slide that I/he/she had triggered way in the backcountry. So, I’m going to just say it’s “unclear” and leave it at that.
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Canon 55-250mm IS lens. 1/500s, f/10.0, ISO 100. Focal length: 250mm.
Popularity: 25%
March 4, 2011 – Mt. Baker Ski Area
Posted by Dave in - Best of Dave's POTD -, Mountains, Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on March 4, 2011
Mt. Baker Ski Area
Friday, March 4, 2011
http://davefry.net/rate/index.php?viewimage=2396
Hey, guess what!! I posted a picture today! I know, I know, I’m awesome.
This is another view from Mt. Baker Ski Area, in northwestern Washington state. I specifically chose the words “view from Mt. Baker” as opposed to “this is Mt. Baker Ski Area”, becasue the area you’re looking at here is strictly out of bounds. The ridge in the foreground is in a designated wilderness area, and I think the peak in the background (it’s actually just a little pointy part on the ridge that leads up to the actual summit of Mt. Shuksan) is inside the bounds of North Cascades National Park. So while technically possible to ski it, it would take quite a hike to get there, through some really gnarly (and extremely avalanche-prone) terrain. Maybe that’s your cup of tea, but it sure ain’t mine. But, I was totally standing inside the bounds of the ski area when I took it, so it totally counts.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll stand by it (and then I’ll caveat the crap out of it): Mt. Baker has the most jaw-droppingly incredible scenery of any ski resort anywhere, hands-down. Okay, now, hands back up, because here come the caveats. A lot of the time (most of the time?) you can’t even see the scenery, because, duh, the ski area that holds the world record for snowfall tends to have crappy weather. Bluebird days are almost non-existent, and often you can count the total number from an entire season on one hand. Sometimes on one finger. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s a haul from Seattle (3.5 hours), so the only reason we even went up there on the day I took this picture is because we knew it would be sunny with some reasonably fresh snow. Next, I can only really fairly compare the scenery here to other places I’ve actually been. Which limits it pretty severely. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to some places that are decent competitors (Vail, Whistler, Whitefish, heck, even Snoqualmie), but I still think Baker wins out. I have *not* been to anywhere outside North America, at least not in the winter. And, I’ve only actually been to one European ski resort at all (Zermatt), so the odds are good that those may actually be better. And, finally, the last caveat to that statemen…
Wait, who the eff cares which one is truly “best” in the scenery department? That doesn’t even make sense. Views, just like photos, aren’t something that can be compared, judged, and stack-ranked. It just doesn’t make sense. Beauty, and the related quality of views or pictures can’t be quantified, and thus can’t be labelled “winner” and “loser”. It’s like asking “Which is greater? The number 532, or a chair?”
So, sit down, stop asking questions, and look at the pretty picture! And, optionally, go to Mt. Baker Ski Area, because, seriously, the views are incredible.
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Canon 55-250mm IS lens. 1/160s, f/16.0, ISO 100. Focal length: 250mm.
Popularity: 29%
February 25, 2011 – Back Bowls and the Gore Range
Posted by Dave in Colorado, Mountains, Picture of the Day, Winter/Snow on February 25, 2011
Vail's Back Bowls and the Gore Range
Friday, February 25, 2011
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Wow, I guess I should apologize to everyone, I’ve kind of dropped the ball these last couple weeks. And February was off to such a strong start, too. Although to be fair, with today’s post, I’ve already matched January’s output, with one more weekday to go.
As you probably guessed by the caption on today’s image (and, umm, the post title), this is a view from the Back Bowls at Vail Ski Resort in Colorado. Those peaks are part of the Gore Range I believe, and if you put it all together, and simmer for a few minutes, you end up with pure awesomesauce. Personally, I really like the shadows of those trees on all that fresh snow down there, it’s one of those sights that just makes me feel sublimely happy for some reason. But we’re not here to talk about me, so…
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Canon 55-250mm IS lens. 1/250s, f/13.0, ISO 100. Focal length: 84mm.
Popularity: 29%
February 8, 2011 – Vail Ski Resort
Posted by Dave in - Best of Dave's POTD -, Colorado, Mountains, Picture of the Day, Winter/Snow on February 8, 2011
Vail Ski Resort
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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So I was going to start off today’s post by mentioning how I went through some more of the pictures I got at Vail, and even though it wasn’t too long ago that I posted one, here was another one that I thought was nice.
Then I realized, I hadn’t posted one yet! Wow, whoops. So, right, yes, I was at Vail. For a day. I snuck up there with my buddy Trevor to get in some turns when we were out in Colorado to visit my parents over New Year’s. Trevor lives up in Summit County, and he’s got a Summit Pass or whatever, so he scored me a (relatively) cheap day pass. And the weather was pretty fantastic, so it was a great day. And I got a handful of nice shots. None of which you have seen yet. (Unless you’re a friend of mine on Facebook, in which case you may have seen me post this one late last night.)
It wasn’t a total oversight though, I did at least post ONE picture from that Colorado trip already – a shot of Garden of the Gods. And now, Vail too.
I think I took this from somewhere in the Back Bowls, but I’m not quite sure. We went back there for a couple runs, then headed over to Blue Sky Basin, just so I could say I had been there and seen it. (I haven’t made it back to Vail in more than 10 years, not since they had opened that area up.) Although, if your name is Heather and you’re reading this, we spent the entire day on the front side, on the groomers. I would never (Ever!) take your husband who was recovering from somewhat recent surgery on anything but groomers.
Have a great day, everyone!
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Canon 55-250mm IS lens. 1/400s, f/18.0, ISO 100. Focal length: 250mm.
Popularity: 30%
January 31, 2011 – Mt. Baker Ski Area
Posted by Dave in - Best of Dave's POTD -, Picture of the Day, Washington State, Winter/Snow on January 31, 2011
Mt. Baker Ski Area
Monday, January 31, 2011
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Welcome back, everyone! Through an unusual turn in the weather this last weekend, we actually got some sunshine around these parts, at least in the northern half of western Washington. I mean, sure, it’s not unheard of for us to see the sun in the winter here in the Pacific Northwest, but to get a day of wall-to-wall blue skies, well that doesn’t happen too often, at least not west of the Cascade crest. So, I decided to take full advantage of it by heading up to Mt. Baker for the day. For those of you not familiar, the Mt. Baker ski area is notable for primarily two reasons. First, it holds the world record for snowfall in one season. That should give you the (correct) impression that they get a lot of storms rolling through, and most of the storms drop a LOT of precipitation. Second, the scenery up there – when you can see it – is UNBELIEVABLE. Seriously, there are few places on this earth that can match the quality of the views up there. It’s truly unreal. The second point there is what made it perfect for yesterday.
The skiing yesterday could probably best be described as “decent, but not great”. We had some fairly warm weather late last week, and a cold front that blew through early in the weekend. As a result, it was fairly icy. But it was great for pictures, which is really the main reason I wanted to head up there. I’ve only just begun going through the shots I got (I really only dipped my toes in just enough to find a picture to use for today), so I’m sure you’ll be seeing plenty of them over the coming weeks, months, and potentially years. So, get comfortable!
Notes: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens. 1/400s, f/10.0, ISO 200. Focal length: 24mm.
Popularity: 19%