Frozen Wonders

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 1, 2012397 views34 comments

I took this image this past Monday while on a solo climb in the 'Dacks. My destination was Mount Marcy (seen in a lot of winter images I've posted in the past), the highest peak in New York State at 5,344ft.

We (me and my two huskies) broke trail the entire way in 5-8" of fresh powder. After seven miles of trekking and nearly 3,000ft of elevation gained we finally reached the alpine zone where we encountered waist deep drifts. Slogging through these drifts was complicated further by the 45mph gusts and single digit temperatures. The trees in the alpine zone were encased with incredible amounts of ice, 6 inches or more, and were impossible to push out of the way. When we came to one that was bent over in the trail we had to scoot around it.

Finally our goal was in sight, only about three tenths of a mile away. The clouds were thick and it was snowing lightly, creating near whiteout conditions on the summit. Having my two huskies along I decided it was best not to risk summiting on this day. After all, the mountain will always be there.

It was an EPIC day in the mountains

I also have a color version of this if anyone is interested in seeing it. Below is a photo of my pups enjoying the snow.

Nikon D300s
1/100 Sec. @ f/16
ISO 200

Comments

34 comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 1, 2012 at 1:32 PM

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Garrett on February 1, 2012 at 2:30 PM

Absolutely stunning Zach! I love the b/w treatment here. Being from upstate NY originally, these bring back lots of memories. I'm hoping to get back there this year and get to the Blue Mountain Lake area...spent all my childhood summers there.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 41 Posts, 251 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on February 1, 2012 at 3:46 PM

Both shots are really great Zack. I've never been in an enviroment like that, maybe one day. I can only imagine how cold it must have been standing there. Your two huskies look gorgeous and really at home in that shot.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on February 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM

Great dogs to have along with you in those conditions. They could always "mush" you out.

Excellent shot with epic snow conditions. I am hoping we have some of that the next few days around here!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on February 1, 2012 at 4:11 PM

So nice! What you did is part of my dream, you know. Hiking in the mountains with great dogs in conditions like that. Wonderful and the image does justice to your experience!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on February 1, 2012 at 4:30 PM

Awesome story and awesome shot Zack. I imagine you and your dogs got quite a bit of exercise. They look pretty happy. Terrific work - this may be my favorite that I've seen from you. Congrats.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on February 1, 2012 at 4:44 PM

I only did Marcy once when I was a kid at summer camp. At the time the hardest hike I had done (12yrs old). The thought of being up there in those conditions...crazy and epic. Great work sir.

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on February 1, 2012 at 4:50 PM

Love everything about this Zack! Looks like the Cascades with all that snow! Great B&W conversion!

I'm hoping to get back up to the Adirondacks some day. I used to go upstate to visit my cousins, and used to go up to Lake George and Lake Placid. Not enough though! One of the special places IMO...

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on February 1, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Excellent mood here! Love the shot.

I have cross country skied but have not snow shoed. I'm moving back to the great NW very soon and can't wait to get into the snow stuff!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on February 1, 2012 at 5:15 PM

Hey Zack,

First off, how cool to hike out with your dogs and enjoy the mountains like that. Beautiful animals you have there.
I love the comp and they look like some frozen creatures that only live up in the mountains. Critique speaking- I can see selectively dodging the snow on the trees to make it stand out more against the sky. Just a little pop

Wonderful work

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on February 1, 2012 at 5:30 PM

I'm glad to see that someone is getting winter weather! The ruggedness of the terrain really comes through and it looks like your dogs are right at home.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on February 1, 2012 at 6:13 PM

Nice winter scene with awesome dogs

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 1, 2012 at 6:32 PM

Love both images Zack. The first one screams cold and I like the tonal range and B&W conversion. The second, best of friends. Don't think I have ever seen a Husky wearing a sweater though. Gorgeous dogs. I bet they love these kind of conditions.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 1, 2012 at 7:06 PM

Thanks for the comments thus far everyone!

Anthony: thanks for the great suggestion!

Eva: Yes, they are best of friends. My female (the one wearing the sweater) sometimes gets cold on the summits while I'm taking pictures. She is a rescue (actually they're both rescues), and has a thinner coat than my male. We scraped her off the pavement just outside Glacier National Park a couple of years ago and drove her all the way back to New York. She was skin and bones and in very poor shape. The gas station attendant told us she was a stray and had been running around with "a twin" until that one was hit by a car a few nights before. I bought her some food and gave her some water and she could barely lift her head to eat. Having already rescued one husky (the red male) back home I couldn't just leave her there. We loaded up her and headed east. A few months later we got a surprise, she was pregnant. Adopted all ten, yes TEN, puppies out to good homes so that they would not end up abandoned like their mom. She is doing great now, and lives like a queen!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 1, 2012 at 7:57 PM

Love it! And the dog shot is priceless!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on February 1, 2012 at 9:21 PM

Interesting image. I like the abstract quality. Feels a bit grayish. Wondering about trying to bring out more textures with a bump in mid-tone contrast.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on February 1, 2012 at 10:15 PM

Great dog story Zack. I absolutely love dogs.... always had one and always will. Misty, my chocolate lab would accompany me on many a photo safari. Sadly she died 2 years ago from cancer. I now have a Black lab mix that my oldest son rescued from the evils of fraternity life. Some kid had Blue but was not really taking care of him so my son brought him home to us. What a great dog he is. He was also Misty's best buddy for he last six months of her life.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Cristina Strudthof on February 1, 2012 at 11:32 PM

Both pics are great...I especially love the shot of the dogs. What can I say, I love pets. Though I like the bw treatment very well, I would also be interested in seeing the color version. And like David says, I'm glad you are getting typical winter weather. Days of 72 degrees make me worried of what the summer holds for us southern folks.

Registered on January 14, 2011, 53 Posts, 363 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on February 1, 2012 at 11:42 PM

Oh my, this is so strange and otherworldly, mesmerizing and forbidding. Windblown sculpted snow and ice encrusted trees that seem to be frozen in a state of torture, soft glowing light on the landscape against the moody dark sky. This photo has impact and takes me someplace new.
Thanks for sharing.

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on February 2, 2012 at 12:00 AM

I just love both shots -great stuff! The shapes of the snow banks and the bent tree limbs really tell a story of the tough winter environment.

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on February 2, 2012 at 12:06 AM

astonishing, unworldly (at least from an observer from africa ...). the forms are amazing.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on February 2, 2012 at 12:54 AM

Awesome image, Zack, such unique ice and snow on these trees (a real testament to perseverance and survival) and superb sculpturing of the snow. This screams wind and cold. Fantastic. Love the shot of your two huskies; brings back great memories of Alaska and mushing. Your story of rescuing the one dog is really special, and it is truly wonderful that you gave her a new life. The two dogs look like real pals in your shot and must love that snow. Thanks for sharing your story.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on February 2, 2012 at 9:07 AM

I've never seen a winter scenic like this. It was worth your climb. Beautiful

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on February 2, 2012 at 10:15 AM

A classic NE treeline view. I actually though this was a color version, as on some days there is not much difference. Love the dogs too. I had a Tibetan Mastiff and a Bernese Mnt Dog that loved going on winter romps in their younger years. You al looked like you enjoyed the fresh fluff. Love those wind blown drifts.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on February 2, 2012 at 12:40 PM

Beautiful shot and composition. My only critiques is that the dynamic range seems a little low (much better in the dog image) - I might suggest increasing the DR some, but other than that this is stellar. Certainly sounds like a great trip (very exciting - too exciting perhaps for my old, out of shape body

). Love the dogs, and their story.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 2, 2012 at 1:35 PM

Bill: thanks for the suggestion. Here's another version with some increased contrast in the snow, does this one look better? I also dodged the tops of the trees a bit to make them stand out more as Anthony mentioned.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 2, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Hi Zack, This is really nice! That snow is awesome looking. Sounds like you had quite a hike! Love your dogs too!

I like the repost!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on February 2, 2012 at 3:16 PM

That edit is much stronger. Great tweaks. Woo

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Gasior on February 2, 2012 at 3:32 PM

Beautiful winter scenery.
Dogs looks like a little bit unhappy probably to cold and windy

Registered on March 7, 2010, 99 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on February 2, 2012 at 3:40 PM

Dogs looks like a little bit unhappy probably to cold and windy

No, they were just upset that I kept stopping to take pictures

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on February 2, 2012 at 7:00 PM

wonderful shot. repost is an improvement. wish I could take my dog with me when I'm out in the snow but his legs are too short. /Really enjoyed the photo of your two

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on February 3, 2012 at 2:05 AM

I had the same thoughts about contrast - the repost is perfect. Terrific winter image.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on February 3, 2012 at 10:24 AM

Awesome, Zack. The story is awesome. I love the fact you're getting out there this time of year and having a blast! The dogs certainly look undeterred by the conditions..

The image is pretty strong and definitely shows off the trees.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on February 9, 2012 at 7:03 AM

This is really amazing! Very otherworldly. The B&W definitely works here with the snow and dark clouds.

Registered on July 25, 2011, 38 Posts, 451 Comments