Shooting stars streak across the beautiful night sky, at the height of the Perseid meteor shower in August 2016. The otherworldly bentonite clay formations in the foreground were the perfect complement to the shooting stars and the colorful nebulae of the Milky Way galaxy. I stayed up all night watching hundreds of shooting stars streak across the sky, and this was undoubtedly one of my favorite and most memorable moments (and photographs) of a year-long cross country road trip. Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada. Prints available.
Paddling Guide to Follensby Clear Pond
As the days grow longer, the temperature rises, and frozen lakes and ponds return to their liquid state, the serene waters of the Adirondack Mountains beckon the outdoor adventurer to stow away their snowshoes and skis and break out a canoe or kayak for long sunny days of aquatic exploration. Home to over 3,000 lakes and ponds, a paddling destination suited for every taste can be found in the vast Adirondack Park. For a fine introduction to what backcountry canoe camping in the Adirondacks is all about, head to Follensby Clear Pond in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest. While small enough (roughly 1.5 miles from end to end) to explore in a day, the beautiful waterfront campsites, plentiful wildlife, and options for further exploration make Follensby Clear an ideal basecamp to call home for a few days. Don’t have a canoe or kayak of your own? No problem, just head to St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake or nearby Floodwood Pond for boat/gear rentals, guidebooks and maps, and trip details from the friendly staff. After launching from the parking area at the south end of Follensby Clear Pond on State Route 30 (where a dock facilitates the loading and unloading of boats), glide through the placid waters as you bid adieu to civilization. Trace the sinuous shoreline, keeping an eye out for herons hunting in the shallows, and scout out the numerous campsites that pepper the shore. Note: the DEC periodically closes campsites and builds new ones in popular locations such as Follensby Clear, so give the regional DEC office a call ahead of time to find out the most up to date status. Contact info and other details and regulations can be found at the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest DEC website.
While the closest campsites are a mere stone’s throw from the parking lot, press on to the quieter northern half of the lake to avoid most of the day-tripper traffic and to discover primo island campsites (including one of the only lean-tos in the area) as well as a large and beautiful campsite on a peninsula that extends from the western shore in the north end of the pond. All campsites are first come, first served and have an outhouse or open-air “thunderbox” as well as a fire ring, but no picnic table or food storage lockers. While bear canisters aren’t necessarily required in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, they’re highly recommended to avoid having pesky rodents and raccoons getting into your food bag, even if it has been expertly hung.
Once camp is established, spend your days either lounging around camp or heading out to some of the enticing destinations that make for perfect daytrips from camp. For a half-day loop that visits three additional ponds and has very short portages, find the portage trail on the west side of Follensby Clear, located about midway up the pond and just southwest of the island that has the lean-to campsite. Take the short portage trail down to the landing at the eastern corner of lovely Horseshoe Pond and explore the interesting peninsula (complete with a killer campsite) that can be seen across the pond from the landing. After enjoying the solitude of Horseshoe Pond, paddle to the northwest corner of the pond to make the short portage to small and boggy Little Polliwog Pond. The portage trail intersects with the Horseshoe Pond Trail, which makes for a nice leg stretcher and heads north to Polliwog Pond or south back to Horseshoe Pond. Once on Little Polliwog Pond, paddle northeast to the downhill portage trail to much larger Polliwog Pond and take your time exploring Polliwog as you work your way to the northeast corner of the pond and the short portage trail back to Follensby Clear Pond.
Whether the day has been spent paddling to distant waters or relaxing at camp, there’s no finer way to end a wonderful day on the water than by taking a dip and laying out in the sun to dry. As night approaches, light up a campfire and listen to it crackle as the haunting call of loons echoes across the lake, quite possibly the most Adirondack way to cap off an exhilarating day of paddling in the vast Adirondack wilderness.
Note
A version of this article can be found at EMS Go East Blog.
Photo of the Week
A Scottish Highland calf seeks the shelter of its mother in a meadow at June Farms in Upstate New York. Prints available.
Fine Art Prints
To truly appreciate the colors and details of a stunning photograph, nothing compares to a fine art print. Prints not only provide a means to display a photograph at a much larger scale, they also allow for the photograph to be printed in an expanded color space beyond the sRGB of the Web. The result is a piece of art that fully captures the details, colors, and beauty of the scene as I experienced it.
Aluminum Prints
My personal favorite method of photo printing and display is to print my photographs on aluminum through a process known as dye-sublimation. The result is a print of unrivaled clarity, color, and beauty.
Hanging Options & Finish
All of my aluminum prints come ready-to-hang with a float mount (details below). All prints come with a semi-gloss finish that accentuates the colors and details of the print, while also minimizing glare.
Float Mount
Float mounts set the print 1” off the wall, giving the print the appearance of “floating” off the wall. This striking and modern look eliminates the need for a frame, matting, and glass, reducing cost and glare.
Finishing Touches
All prints are hand-signed, and include the year in which they were printed. While prints are typically signed in the bottom-right corner, occasionally the bottom-left will be signed if it fits the composition better. I also include a handwritten note with each print about the moment captured in the photograph, what it means to me, and what I hope it will mean to you.
Paper Prints
Traditional paper prints are an excellent and affordable way to enjoy my photography in your home or office. Prints are made on high-quality Kodak Lustre paper, which showcases the colors and contrast of the image and has a slight, almost pearl-like texture that provides added depth. This paper also has the benefit of possessing minimal glare, so that the print can be enjoyed in uneven lighting when framed.
Custom Orders
Looking to purchase a print in a different style than paper or aluminum? Please reach out to me via the “contact” header on this website and I’d be happy to work with you to meet your needs.
How to Order
To purchase a print, simply click “Buy” below the image title and caption, and you’ll be able to select the size and framing option of your choice. If you are viewing the image on a mobile device or in full screen mode, just click the << symbol in the upper-right of the webpage to reveal the “Buy” option. For any questions regarding prints, please send me a message by clicking on the “contact” tab at the top of this page, and I will get back to you shortly. Prints are typically delivered within 2-3 weeks of ordering.
Photo of the Week
A robin hides out in a blooming cherry tree in Upstate New York. Prints available.
“Higher and Higher” Appears on Cover of Adirondac Magazine
Higher and Higher was chosen as the cover for the March-April 2021 cover of Adirondac Magazine!
Beautiful sunset light makes the snowy winter landscape come alive. The solitude and dramatic beauty of winter makes it my favorite time of year to explore the mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
“Higher and Higher” Prints available.
Adirondac Magazine can be purchased by subscription or single copy.
Winter Wildlife Photography: Tips and Tricks for Capturing Stunning Images
Viewing animals in their wild, natural habitat is one of the most thrilling aspects of hiking and outdoor adventure travel. Coming away with photos that expertly capture these moments, whether using a smartphone or expensive digital camera, can be difficult, and it’s frustrating to giddily flip through freshly taken wildlife photos only to discover that the trophy shots are blurry or not properly exposed. The following tips and tricks will help you come away from your next outdoor adventure with stunning wildlife photos, with special attention given to the extra-challenging conditions present during the winter season. Remember, always give birds and animals a wide berth and never approach wildlife. No photo is worth endangering yourself or an animal.
Study the Subject and Anticipate the Action
While wild animals are of course unpredictable, being patient and taking the time necessary to study their behavior can aid in coming away with stellar action shots, particularly birds in flight. The generally playful nature of animals, such as puffins, can make for interesting, even funny photos of animals interacting with each other or goofing around solo. Traveling with a friend or family member can also be helpful, as they can alert you to opportunities outside your immediate field of view.
Pay Close Attention to Shutter Speed and Shoot in Bursts
One of the most common wildlife photography pitfalls is not using a fast enough shutter speed and coming away with blurry, out-of-focus photos. For bird photography with a digital safe-lens reflex camera (DSLR) or a mirrorless camera that provides greater manual control of settings, a good rule of thumb is to use a shutter speed of 1/1000s or faster for birds in flight or on the move. If the light level is low and precludes the use of such a fast shutter speed, bump up the ISO, or sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light, a bit and use a wider aperture in the f/4 to f/8 range to allow in enough light while still maintaining the depth of field to keep the subject sharp. When using a smart phone that doesn’t allow as much fine control of shutter speed settings, shooting in “burst mode” is a great way to ensure that you crisply capture the action of an animal in motion.
Think Small and Large in Terms of Subjects and Lenses
AMC’s region is blessed with a wide variety of wildlife, ranging in size from mighty to miniscule. Moose, black bears, deer, coyotes, puffins, owls, starfish, salamanders, and insects are just some of the many potential wildlife photography subjects that can be found in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The two types of lenses that come in most handy when shooting a large or small animal subject are a telephoto and macro lens, respectively. A telephoto lens in the 300 to 600 mm focal length is perfect for capturing large animals from a distance without spooking them and for capturing frame-filling shots of birds such as puffins in flight. On the other end of the spectrum, a macro lens is tailor-made for capturing small subjects such as insects in astounding detail. If you’re shooting with a smart phone, a variety of telephoto and macro adaptors are available that can be attached to the camera and can yield surprisingly stunning results.
Winter-specific tips
Protect Yourself
One of the most challenging aspects of winter wildlife photography is keeping yourself and your photography gear safe in the sometimes hostile conditions of winter. Wildlife photography is often a waiting game, and while it’s relatively easy to stay warm while on the move, having the right layers and gear are critical to staying comfortable and safe while waiting for just the right moment. In addition to snowshoes , skis, and microspikes or crampons for traction, items such as a warm and lightweight jacket and pants, balaclava, and even ski goggles will help keep you warm and protect your skin from the biting cold and wind while you’re taking photos. Perhaps the most critical piece of clothing for the winter photographer is hand protection , and finding the perfect balance between keeping hands warm while maintaining enough dexterity to change lenses and adjust camera settings can be a tricky task. Pairing a thin and windproof glove with a warm pair of mittens can provide the best of both worlds, where the mittens can be put on when hands get cold, and the base layer glove provides just enough protection and supple dexterity to handle the camera. Carrying extra pairs of gloves is always wise, as gloves that have become sweaty on a hike can become hazardous if a prolonged photo session is planned. If the conditions are truly arctic, throwing a hand warmer inside each glove is an easy way to ensure that hands stay toasty while maintaining dexterity.
Elusive Beauty: Watched this beautiful creature from a distance as I waited for it to eventually cast its gaze on me and captured the photo seen here. Prints available.
Protect Your Camera
Protecting the camera from harsh winter conditions not only increases your chances of taking the best possible photos, it also prevents your often expensive photo gear from ruin. A waterproof camera cover comes in handy when photographing in snowstorms or freezing rain and costs much less than replacing a camera body that’s been ruined by water damage. Condensation can also be a problem in winter, especially when taking the camera from the cold, dry outdoor air to a warm and relatively humid house, cabin, or car. Allowing the camera to gradually adjust to temperature differences limits the chances of condensation forming on the camera and lens and potentially making its way inside the camera. Leaving the camera in a camera bag inside a backpack or camera bag overnight will help it adjust.
While these tips will help to avoid damaging your gear after you’ve finished your outing, a challenge you may face while out in the field is moisture from snow or rain accumulating and freezing on the front of the lens. Periodically checking the lens glass for snow and ice will prevent the frustration of having an excellent photo rendered useless. While snowflakes can typically be brushed off the lens using a microfiber cloth or an air blower such as the Giottos Rocket Air , take special care if ice has accumulated on the lens. Trying to scrape off ice can lead to scratches which could permanently mar an expensive lens or filter. This is another situation where the ever-useful hand warmer can save the day. Gently holding one against the ice helps it melt, allowing you to easily wipe or blow away the remaining water with a microfiber cloth or rocket blower.
Pack Extra Batteries
Cold temperatures drain battery life, and there’s nothing more frustrating than getting part-way through a photo outing and having your camera battery die. Packing a couple extra batteries for your camera, or an external battery pack for a smart phone, can be a trip-saver when they’re needed. Extra batteries will be rendered useless, though, if they’re left unprotected at the top of your pack and subjected to the cold as you hike. Stashing batteries toward the center of the pack, where they’ll be insulated by the surrounding contents, can help maintain the batteries’ life. Double-bagging batteries in a plastic bag and placing a hand warmer in between the two bags can also provide extra insurance in truly frigid winter conditions.
Utilize Animal Tracks
One of the advantages of winter wildlife photography is that the snow-blanketed landscape makes a perfect canvas to capture the tracks of animals on the move. While tracks or paw prints from animals such as deer, wolves, and rabbits can be useful aids when pursuing an animal to photograph, the tracks themselves can make for interesting photo subjects and can add intrigue and mystery to a landscape photo. Remember, do not approach wildlife anytime, but especially not in winter, as causing animals to expend energy unnecessarily threatens their ability to survive until spring.
Exploring nature with the intention of capturing wildlife photos is one of the best ways to feel connected to the natural world. Utilizing these tips will help you not only come away from your next photo outing with better photos, but will aid in keeping you and your gear safe while getting out during the winter months.
LEARN MORE:
Respect wildlife as you take their photo by following Leave No Trace principles.
Browse the 2020 AMC Photo Contest winners.
Improve your wildlife photos with smartphone HDR.
Opening Image
“Two-step” A beautiful Atlantic Puffin walks along the rocks of Machias Seal Island, which possesses the densest population of puffins on the Maine coast. Prints available.
Note
A version of this article can be found at AMC Outdoors.
The Gear you Need to Climb Mount Marcy in Winter
For a winter adventure that’s equal parts unforgettable and challenging, it’s hard to beat a winter ascent of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack High Peaks. Checking in at an elevation of 5,344 feet, Mount Marcy is the highest peak in New York and offers commanding views of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and valleys in all directions. With over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and a round-trip distance of nearly 15 miles via the shortest route to the summit, Mount Marcy makes for a long and challenging hike any time of year, but especially in winter when the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the days are short. Along with possessing the necessary fitness and knowledge, having the proper gear is paramount to completely a winter summit bid not only successfully, but also safely. In addition to common essentials such as a winter hat, gloves/mittens, snowshoes, and waterproof (and possibly insulated) hiking boots, the following 10 gear items are critical for any winter climb of Marcy and can all be purchased at EMS.
Proper traction in winter is absolutely essential, and it seems like every winter weekend an unprepared hiker in bare boots (or even tennis shoes) slips and gets hurt in the High Peaks. With the amount of snow and ice varying from week to week in the winter, as well as with elevation, it’s wise to be prepared for hiking in both deep powder and ice-coated rock slabs on any winter ascent of Marcy. Even when the trail leading to the final summit approach is covered in feet of fluffy snow, the exposed, wind-swept rock slabs that comprise the summit dome are often largely devoid of powdery snow and are rather coated in a thick layer of ice. Snowshoes are typically too clunky and don’t offer sufficient traction for such terrain, but this is where microspikes, such as the EMS Ice Talons, really shine. Lighter and much more user-friendly than classic crampons, the EMS Ice Talons will allow you to confidently and safely navigate the rime ice and crunchy snow that will almost certainly be encountered below Marcy’s summit.
The use of trekking poles while hiking is largely a personal decision, but they can be especially handy on a winter ascent of Marcy. In addition to alleviating some lower body stress (especially on the knees while descending), trekking poles can provide critical stability on the exposed final summit push where the wind can be so strong it can throw off your balance and sometimes even knock you on your feet. For hiking in powdery snow, be sure to put some wider baskets at the end of the trekking poles. Similar in concept to snowshoes, broader winter baskets give trekking poles better flotation in deep snow.
Snow googles will serve two purposes on this hike. For one thing, they’ll keep your eyelids from freezing shut if the summit is windy (which it often is) and snow is blowing in the air. Secondly, most snow goggles also act as sunglasses to protect against snow blindness, which can occur when unprotected eyes are subjected to extended periods of bright sunshine reflecting off of white snow. While you might be able to get away with using typical sunglasses for eye protection on calm days, mountain weather is unpredictable and winds can whip up in an instant, making snow goggles a prudent accessory to toss in your pack for a winter climb of Marcy.
Wicking base layer: Top and Bottom
Sweating too much while hiking in the winter is one of the most sure-fire ways to get into a dangerous, hypothermic situation. Dressing in layers is essential for regulating body temperature, and it all starts with the next-to-skin base layer. Choosing a base layer material that’s wicking and quick-drying is key, and the old adage “cotton kills” comes to mind here. Unlike cotton, which takes a long time to dry once it’s wet and will sap your body of heat, it’s best to utilize synthetic materials or merino wool when choosing a base layer. The EMS Lightweight Synthetic Base Layer tights and crewneck long sleeve, for example, are made of moisture-wicking and quick-drying 100% polyester, which will pull perspiration away from the body to better regulate body temperature and prevent a bone-chilling cold to set in, especially while stopping for a break.
Being at the highest elevation in the state comes with some of the harshest weather in the Northeast. For protection against wind, precipitation, and trudging through deep snow, a breathable outer layer that’s wind and water-proof is key. Pants such as the Skyward II, and a jacket such as the Interstellar (both from Outdoor Research) help form a protective barrier between you and the harsh winter elements, especially when in the exposed alpine zone.
Wet, cold feet are likely the most common complaint among people new to winter hiking. In addition to hiking in sturdy and waterproof boots, gaiters are the best accessory to ensure that feet stay dry and toasty, and are worth their weight in gold on hikes through deep snow. Gaiters effectively cover boot tops and prevent snow from getting in, even when hiking through waist-deep snow. The Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiters are the classic, gold-standard gaiter for winter hiking, and come with a Gore-Tex membrane to ensure that the gaiters don’t wet-out even in slushy conditions.
Socks: Liner and Mid-Weight
Continuing with the keeping feet warm and dry theme, choosing the right socks can be the difference between a safe and comfortable hike and a painful and dangerous slog. Just as the aforementioned base layers for your upper and lower body help manage sweat and regulate body temperature, a thin pair of synthetic liner socks like the EMS X-Static Sock Liners help to pull perspiration away from the foot to prevent cold and clammy feet. Following up the liner sock with a mid-weight sock such as the Smartwool PhD Pro adds extra insulation without overheating.
As previously mentioned, layering clothing is critical in winter. A warm yet lightweight insulated jacket should always be in your pack in winter, and will come in handy while stopping to take a snack break and for braving the exposed alpine zone on the final approach to Marcy’s summit. Down offers an optimal warmth-to-weight ratio, and modern down jackets such as the EMS Feather Pack Hooded Jacket now offer water-repellent down which retains its insulation value even in wet conditions.
Short winter days coupled with a nearly 15 mile round-trip hike means that part of your hike will likely be spent in the dark. Packing a headlamp (and spare batteries) such as the Petzl Tikka will help keep the trail illuminated and you safe when it’s dark out.
Staying properly hydrated is always important while hiking, but no matter how much water you carry, it won’t do you any good if it’s frozen. Boiling water before the hike and keeping water bottles inside your backpack is typically good enough to keep water from freezing on a day hike, but an insulated water bottle or thermos such as the Camelbak Carry Cap 32 oz Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle will eliminate any doubt that your beverage of choice will be in a liquid state when you need it.
Opening Image
“Deception” Warm sunset light illuminates the distant summit of Whiteface on a cold and windy winter evening. Prints Available.
Note
A version of this article can be found at EMS Go East Blog.
The Best Winter Sunset Peaks in the Adirondack Mountains
Encompassing six million acres and possessing a myriad of mountains ranging in size from mile-high Mount Marcy to short and wooded summits, the Adirondacks has a mountain for every schedule and ability. Few outdoor experiences are more memorable or enjoyable than watching the sunset in solitude from a mountain summit, and the experience is made even more memorable with the extra challenges and solitude present in the winter season. With that in mind, here is a collection of Adirondack peaks that are all excellent winter sunset destinations.
Phelps Mountain
While not one of the tallest or the highest Adirondack High Peaks, Phelps Mountain is my personal favorite Adirondack peak for watching and photographing a winter sunset. Ringing in at a round-trip distance of 8.8 miles with almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain if departing from the Adirondack Loj (parking fee of $15/day, reduced to $7/day for Adirondack Mountain Club members) Phelps is in that sweet spot of providing enough of a challenge to make you feel like you’ve really accomplished something, while being short enough so that you won’t be hiking back in the dark for hours on end. After a quick 2 mile jaunt to Marcy Dam and a little over a mile of gradual climbing along Phelps Brook, a classic steep and rugged Adirondack trail diverges from the Van Hoevenberg Trail to climb 1.2 miles to the summit of Phelps. Two characteristics of Phelps make this peak particularly amenable to winter sunsets. First, although the summit offers expansive views, it’s not completely exposed and hardy evergreen provide protection from the wind and make for interesting photo subjects when they’re caked with snow and ice. Second, Phelps offers wide-open views to the west, meaning that you’ll have a clear vantage point of the sun setting over the lofty summits of Mount Colden and Algonquin Peak, with Mount Marcy catching beautiful sidelight. While views from the summit proper are exceptional, ledges a couple hundred yards shy of the summit might provide an even better vantage point to watch the setting sun cast a warm glow on the snowy landscape
Cascade Mountain
As one of the shortest and easiest of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks to climb, Cascade Mountain is a justly popular peak. While winter crowds are typically less than those found in summer and fall, the small parking lots on Rt. 73 can easily get overwhelmed on weekends. The late start that you’ll get to time it right to catch sunset from the summit typically makes this a moot point, but aim to do this one on a weekday if possible, just in case. The vast majority of this hike is spent sheltered in the woods, and while the grade never gets too obnoxious, the climbing begins right from the parking lot and doesn’t let up much for the duration of the hike. A junction with the trail to Porter Mountain (another High Peak that’s often combined with a trek up Cascade) is reached at 2.1 miles, and then the final push to the exposed summit begins. Shortly after the trail junction is a good time to bundle up, as the wind is often much stronger on the exposed summit than the sheltered approach trail. Even though it only comes in as the 36th tallest peak in the High Peaks Region, Cascade offers a panoramic view that is likely a top 10 summit view in the Adirondacks.
Coney Mountain
With a round-trip distance of only 2.2 miles and an elevation gain of about 550 feet, Coney Mountain is one of the best bang-for-your-buck mountains in all of New York. Located off of Route 30 between Long Lake and Tupper Lake, Coney is a great destination to enjoy your first mountaintop winter sunset. A sheltered trail climbs gradually from the small parking lot through a beautiful forest before reaching the mostly open summit. Part of Tupper Lake can be seen in the distance and nearby Goodman Mountain (which itself is another good sunset hike) adds visual interest to the view. If the sky is clear and weather calm, hanging around after sunset to watch the stars is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the short distance back to the trailhead makes the return hike in the dark a breeze.
Mount Marcy
Standing as the highest mountain in New York at an elevation of 5,344 feet, Mount Marcy draws hikers from near and far. There’s just something about being at the highest point in a state that’s alluring, and from the icy winter summit of Marcy, all of the Adirondacks spreads out below your lofty perch. With a round-trip distance of nearly 15 miles coupled with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain, climbing Marcy makes for a long day, and catching the sunset from the summit means that you’ll have several hours of hiking in the dark back to the trailhead to look forward to. For those that have the requisite experience, fitness, and gear, though, it doesn’t get any better than this. After gradually ascending to treeline, the final half-mile push to the summit is on the wide-open and rocky summit block, with no protection from the elements. Once on the summit, a panoramic view of mountains and lakes spreads as far as the eye can see. As the sun sets over the distant horizon, take pride in the fact that no one in the state is higher than you, physically and maybe emotionally too, before readying for the long and dark sojourn home.
Algonquin and Wright Peaks
Two of the more popular High Peaks to climb, Algonquin and Wright are neighbors that share the same route for the first 3.4 miles from the Adirondack Loj and are thus often climbed in tandem. Coming in at round-trip distances of 7.6 (with 2400 ft. elevation gain) and 8.6 (with 2900 ft. elevation gain) miles respectively, Wright and Algonquin are both classic Adirondack climbs that make for excellent sunset destinations. Both of these summits are quite exposed, though, which means expansive views but also little to no protection from the elements. It’s thus best to get some safer sunset summits under your belt before aiming for Wright or Algonquin. From the Wright-Algonquin trail junction reached 3.4 miles from the Adirondack Loj parking lot, a left turns leads 0.4 miles to the summit of Wright. Views abound in all directions, with Whiteface and the ski jumps of Lake Placid in the distance to the north. The best part of Wright’s vantage point, though, is its proximity to the summit block of Algonquin, which towers above you and the seemingly endless procession of snow-covered evergreens that fill the divide between Wright and Algonquin. If the wind is howling, descending a bit from the summit to treeline provides a more sheltered, and possibly more interesting vantage point from which to watch the sunset over the shoulder of Algonquin and light up the flanks of Wright in brilliantly glowing sunset hues.
If at the aforementioned trail junction you’re feeling up for some added distance and elevation, rather than taking the side trail up to Wright continue on 0.9 miles to the exposed alpine summit of Algonquin. Views from the rocky tundra are unfettered and include Colden with its many slides and Trap Dike. Due to its entirely exposed nature, Algonquin is a peak best saved for a calm day. Spend some time exploring the summit before sunset (while being careful not to trample the rare and delicate alpine plants that make the summit home) and marvel at how the raking winds have sculpted the snow into fanciful shapes. As the second highest peak in the Adirondacks, Algonquin has a “top of the world” feel to it, and lingering on the summit and watching the sunset sky transition from orange to magenta to the deepest blue-black imaginable is an experience that could never be forgotten.
Opening Image
“Ice In The Veins” The snowy landscape picks up a brilliant sunset glow high in the Adirondack Mountains. Prints available.
Note
A version of this article can be found at EMS Go East Blog.
Frozen in Time: Photographing the Haunting Beauty of an Adirondack Winter
Winter in the Adirondacks is truly magical. With rocks and roots buried in snow, vicious flies and mosquitoes a distant memory, and the thick, humid air of summer replaced with a crisp chill, there are countless benefits to exploring the Adirondacks in winter. When it comes to photography, no other time of year allows for such dramatic and otherworldly photos to be created. From forested foothills to the exposed alpine zone above tree line, the landscape takes on a special character that beckons to be photographed. If you’re going to make the most of winter photography in the Adirondacks, there are certain techniques and equipment required for a safe and successful experience, not to mention three geographic zones that make for especially stunning winter photography.
Gear & Equipment
Before heading out to explore and photograph the winter wilderness, gearing up with the proper photography equipment is imperative to achieving the best possible results. There are a plethora of options available when it comes to cameras, with digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) and mirrorless cameras currently the two most predominant types. Choosing a camera can be a daunting and often confusing task when starting out in photography, and it’s easy to get bogged down in the nitty gritty details. While it’s possible to take excellent photographs with a wide array of cameras, there are certain attributes that facilitate the creation of high-quality images. These include being able to shoot in Manual mode to have full control over aperture, exposure time, and ISO (sensitivity to light), which allows the photographer to modulate each setting for creative purposes. Cameras with removable lenses are also ideal as it allows the use of a particular lens for a certain purpose. A wide-angle lens of 16-35mm, for example, is perfect for expansive landscapes, but won’t be able to zoom in and provide a detailed shot of a snowy mountaintop in the distance. A telephoto lens (200-400mm, for example), on the other hand, is perfect for frame-filling shots of mountain ridges or an owl perched on a snowy tree branch. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a macro lens is specifically designed for close-up and intimate views where the lens is placed mere inches from a subject such as intricate icicles or the snow-covered tips of a tree branch.
Aside from a camera and lenses, the most important piece of photography gear for making beautiful winter images is a tripod. A tripod is a necessity in low light conditions such as dusk and dawn when a longer exposure time is required and hand-holding the camera would result in a blurry image. Splurging on a carbon fiber tripod is one of the best equipment investments that can be made, as carbon fiber provides an optimal balance of being lightweight yet sturdy. Topping the tripod with a ball head that can freely rotate and that the camera will be attached to allows the camera to be firmly locked in place once the desired composition has been framed.
A number of accessories are worth the space in your camera bag, with possibly none being more useful than a circular polarizer filter. A circular polarizer cuts glare and helps to bring out the color and saturation of reflective surfaces such as water, and also deepens the color of a blue sky. The effect that a circular polarizer has is dependent on the angle of the light source to the reflective surface, and can be tuned to the desired level by turning the circular polarizer.
Neutral density filters are another type of filter that can yield interesting results. These filters come in varying degrees of darkness that prevent a certain amount of light from reaching the camera sensor, thus requiring a longer exposure time to be used. Neutral density filters are particularly useful in situations where a long exposure is desired but it’s too bright out to use a long exposure time without overexposing the photo. These filters are great for turning nearly imperceptible motion, such as foam bubbles or fallen leaves on the water’s surface slowly turning in an eddy, or clouds gradually drifting through the sky, into fascinating swirls and streaks that are revealed over the course of a multi-second exposure.
A remote shutter release is another useful and relatively inexpensive accessory. These come in varying levels of functionality, but all serve the same general purpose, which is to trip the shutter and take a photo by pressing the remote shutter release instead of pressing the shutter on the camera. This helps to create the sharpest image possible by eliminating vibration that could be introduced by pressing the shutter button on the camera. Spare batteries in winter are also critical, as frigid temperatures sap battery life, and a microfiber cloth also comes in handy for wiping water droplets and dew off of the lens front without scratching the lens.
Proper clothing and hiking gear plays as critical a role as photography equipment when it comes to winter photography, and is essential not only for safe and efficient travel, but also to make the photographic experience as enjoyable as possible. While a deep-dive into this topic is beyond the scope of this article, one of the most important pieces of non-photographic gear that has the biggest impact on winter shooting is hand protection. Finding the optimal balance between warmth and dexterity can be tricky, but a pair of lightweight gloves with grip on the fingertips provides enough dexterity to adjust camera settings while typically providing sufficient warmth in calm conditions. In truly frigid or excessively windy conditions, throwing a pair of mittens over the gloves allows the hands to warm up before going down to just gloves again when camera adjustments are necessary.
The Alpine Zone
Once you’re geared up with the proper photography and hiking equipment, it’s time to head out to the winter wilderness. The alpine zone above tree line in the High Peaks is one of the most fascinating destinations for winter shoots in the Adirondacks. Even when the foothills have just a dusting of snow, this zone is often a veritable winter wonderland. With ever-changing and oftentimes savage weather, you never know exactly what conditions you’ll be greeted with, no matter how many times you’ve climbed a given peak. This can make it challenging to plan ahead and visualize the kind of photographs that you’d like to make, but it also presents a great opportunity for making incredible images.
Given the exposed nature of the alpine zone, where shelter from the elements is practically nonexistent and snowdrifts can often obscure navigational markers, above tree line is not the place to be during inclement weather. After a storm has passed, however, can be one of the best times for capturing images in these areas that are covered in freshly fallen snow with dramatic, clearing skies overhead.
Depending on the size of the storm, access above tree line can be more challenging and dangerous than usual, as trudging through a couple feet of powder, even with snowshoes on, requires significantly more effort than trekking on hard-packed snow. While rare in these mountains, avalanche danger is also heightened after a heavy fall of snow. The alpine zone is also an excellent destination to photograph early and late in the season, when the conditions at lower elevations are suboptimal. A climb that begins on a trail barely covered in snow can lead to areas that still resemble peak winter conditions.
The expansive nature of the alpine zone is perfect for wide-angle landscape photography. Fierce winds that rake the high summits carve snowdrifts into fanciful shapes that create interest in the foreground, and leading lines that draw the eye into the photo. The crisp winter air produces the deepest blue sky imaginable, which contrasts nicely against puffy white clouds and the snowy landscape—utilizing a circular polarizer to reduce glare can make this contrast pop even more. While clear skies make for beautiful, sunny hiking weather they present a challenge to the photographer. Featureless skies can make an otherwise intriguing composition boring and uninteresting. This can be combatted by having hikers or trees silhouetted on the horizon or by using a small aperture to create a sunburst that adds drama and intrigue to an otherwise featureless sky.
Frozen Waterfalls
The sound and sight of water cascading through a pristine forest is one of nature’s greatest gifts. While waterfalls are beautiful photographic subjects any time of year, when the temperature drops and the falling waters of summer and autumn slowly solidify, they take on a surreal and otherworldly magnificence. The Adirondack Mountains are blessed with a bounty of waterfalls, big and small, easily accessible and off the beaten path, providing countless opportunities for photographing the haunting beauty of water frozen in time.
Early in the winter season, when intricate ice details begin to take shape, yet water is still flowing, offers optimal conditions for making dynamic photos. A favorite technique when photographing waterfalls is to utilize a long exposure, anywhere from ¼ of a second to multiple seconds, depending on the water’s flow rate and the desired effect. This technique gives the moving water a silky smooth appearance.
A circular polarizer not only helps to reduce glare off of rocks and ice, but also helps to increase exposure time by decreasing the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor. Neutral density filters can also be used if an even longer exposure time is desired. A tripod is essential for these long exposures in order to achieve a sharp image, and to take multiple exposures to blend in post-processing if the dynamic range of the scene is too broad to cover in a single exposure, as often is the case when bright white snow and water, as well as dark rocks or trees, are all found in the same composition.
An unlikely piece of gear that can come in handy when photographing waterfalls is a small travel umbrella. Depending on the size of the waterfall and how close the camera is placed to the moving water, spray from the waterfall can be nuisance, and can ruin a photo-shoot if it unknowingly accumulates on the front of the lens. Spray is especially a concern when using a wide-angle lens and getting close to moving water to emphasize water action as a foreground element. After settling on a composition, if spray has accumulated on the lens front, a microfiber cloth can be used to wipe the water droplets away with one hand while shielding the camera with the umbrella, thereby preventing more spray from accumulating. The umbrella can then be lifted right before tripping the shutter to ensure that the shot gets off before water droplets accumulate on the lens again.
Forests and Intimate Details
The deep forests that comprise much of the six million acres of the Adirondack Park hold many hidden scenes just waiting to be discovered by the patient photographer. Whether en route to a high summit or on a relaxed Sunday morning snowshoe through the woods, pay close attention to your surroundings and you’ll discover intricate details that often go unnoticed. The small creek that gets stepped over in the summer without a thought is transformed into an abstract world full of bizarre forms when it freezes. Evergreens that typically blend into the background become coated with rime ice and morph into something straight from a Dr. Seuss book. Shadows cast on the snowy forest floor by the low-angled winter sun take on ghostly shapes.
The winter forest, while serene, can also be a chaotic and difficult subject to successfully photograph. A fresh blanket of snow can help to simplify things by covering up the jumbled forest undergrowth, but extra care still needs to be taken to ensure that not too much is crammed into the same image. Experimenting with a telephoto lens to isolate smaller sections of the forest is a great way to clarify the winter forest, and these lenses are especially useful for turning the mundane into an abstract work of art, especially when the image is converted to black and white. Using a telephoto lens to create a frame-filling shot of snow-covered tree branches, for example, can yield an image that’s a study of lines, shapes, and textures, and presents the winter forest in a unique and intriguing way.
One of the most fascinating aspects about mountain climbing is how the geography changes with elevation, and this is especially apparent when it comes to trees. The towering hardwoods that stretch to the sky in the foothills give way to hardy evergreens as elevation increases, which shrink in size and take on fanciful shapes as the alpine zone is neared due to the constant battering by wind. The upper reaches of the forest, where the tree cover thins out and the sky is more readily viewed, presents unique photography opportunities. Evergreens caked with rime ice and fresh ice are the epitome of an Adirondack winter, and stand like frozen sentinels keeping watch over the mountains. The eerie glow that permeates at dusk can be the perfect complement to the bizarre shapes that these trees often take on, and a clear night and starry sky also lends itself to creating truly unique images.
Exploring and photographing the Adirondacks in winter presents numerous challenges, but even more rewards. Braving hostile conditions and coming away with awe-inspiring photographs of your journey will stir up feelings of accomplishment and ecstasy so potent that you’ll be itching to get back into the frozen winter wilderness as soon as the car ride home begins. With the proper hiking and photography gear in your pack, and creative vision in your mind, the haunting beauty of winter will be revealed and make you wish that spring would never come.
Opening Image: “Higher and Higher” – Beautiful sunset light makes the snowy winter landscape come alive. The solitude and dramatic beauty of winter makes it my favorite time of year to explore the mountains. Prints available.
Note: A version of this article appeared in the Winter 2019 issue of Local ADK magazine.
Joey Priola Wilderness Photography 