Posted by Jack Brauer on January 16, 2015 at 11:33 AM
I recently returned home after a long trip abroad... including almost two months of trekking in the Himalaya in Nepal. Of course I've always longed to visit the world's largest mountains, so this was certainly a dream come true for me. The mountains there are mind-bogglingly enormous -- think about standing on top of an 18,000-ft peak, and looking directly up at a neighboring mountain that is over 10,000 feet HIGHER! Just craziness. I was in full madman-photography-form out there, missing no opportunity to chase the light and vistas.
Still working on the trip reports... those will take a while! Anyhow, as awesome as the Himalaya was, I'm glad to be back home in Colorado.
Posted by Doug Beezley on January 16, 2015 at 3:44 PM
Jack,
What a "WOW" set of images. I looked and looked and looked and finally found my favorite, "Tengboche Night". I also like the way you introduced the human element into several of your images - I think that makes the mountains even larger and connects them to us. "Annapurna Sunrise" sunrise almost conjures up a religious experience with all the participants taking in the sunrise. Thank you for posting; I hope others will join you; the Facebook version is really lacking.
Jack, you must have thought you were in photographic heaven. I went to your web page to see the others. They all are just stunning in their clarity and demonstrate your photographic artistry in such elements. The ones that speak to me in addition to the one posted here include: the Peak Sunset, Ama Dablam Clouds and Ama Dablam Morning. Why? I can feel the tension between the clouds and the mountain peaks in Peak Sunset and Dablam Clouds. In the Ama Dablam Morning I appreciate the contrast of sharp edge peaks above the soft floating clouds. The connection of humanity in the prayer flags presents a very poignant image. I could elaborate more but will simply defer and summarize by saying you have captured for me the essence of the area. Thanks so much for sharing these and welcome home!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on January 16, 2015 at 4:11 PM
That must have been a great cultural and landscape experience. You have made our "peak" here in Flagstaff look like a mere pimple.
Posted by Don Grall on January 16, 2015 at 6:40 PM
Nepal is heaven to a mountain photographer and you took full advantage of it. Wonderful gallery full of stunning images!
My favorite was Lobuche Reflection. I'm very jealous! What was your means of transportation besides hiking?
Posted by Jack Brauer on January 16, 2015 at 7:46 PM
Thanks for your comments!
@ Doug - Yeah, that's the problem with visiting the Himalaya -- afterwards they make all other mountains look puny.
@ Don - For the Khumbu trek we took a small plane into Lukla (the infamous mountainside airstrip), and then it was all hiking for 20 days. We hired a porter/guide who helped carry an extra bag of stuff like sleeping bags, etc. On the Annapurna Base Camp trek it was just us, just hiking.
Posted by Monika Chace on January 17, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Jack, what a great set of photos! Looking forward to your trip reports.
Must be nice to be able to walk around without a pack on your back now at "low" altitude.
Posted by Darren Huski on January 17, 2015 at 1:52 PM
Great images (as always) and it sounds quite the adventure.
Fave image from the set was Lobuche Reflections.
You travel well!
Posted by Richard Olsen on January 18, 2015 at 10:10 AM
Amazing work Jack. What an adventure to experience!
Posted by Kane Engelbert on January 19, 2015 at 10:48 PM
Jacks the best, always has been in my eyes...
pure inspiration.
Posted by Stan Rose on February 4, 2015 at 10:49 PM
Discussion
10 repliesI posted a gallery of photos here: http://www.mountainphotography.com/gallery/himalaya/
Still working on the trip reports... those will take a while! Anyhow, as awesome as the Himalaya was, I'm glad to be back home in Colorado.
What a "WOW" set of images. I looked and looked and looked and finally found my favorite, "Tengboche Night". I also like the way you introduced the human element into several of your images - I think that makes the mountains even larger and connects them to us. "Annapurna Sunrise" sunrise almost conjures up a religious experience with all the participants taking in the sunrise. Thank you for posting; I hope others will join you; the Facebook version is really lacking.
Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA
My favorite was Lobuche Reflection. I'm very jealous! What was your means of transportation besides hiking?
@ Doug - Yeah, that's the problem with visiting the Himalaya -- afterwards they make all other mountains look puny.
@ Don - For the Khumbu trek we took a small plane into Lukla (the infamous mountainside airstrip), and then it was all hiking for 20 days. We hired a porter/guide who helped carry an extra bag of stuff like sleeping bags, etc. On the Annapurna Base Camp trek it was just us, just hiking.
Must be nice to be able to walk around without a pack on your back now at "low" altitude.
Fave image from the set was Lobuche Reflections.
You travel well!
pure inspiration.