Rivers are starting to rise! I learned from @immersionresearch how they test their drysuits and thought I’d give my NRS suit a once over. I found the annoying pin hole in my left foot using some soapy water! Drysuits look hilarious inflated! #kayak #whitewater #rivers #boating #as kayaking #rafting

Although spring was officially two days away, the “winter” sun and weather were hell bent on making some fantastic corn snow! Here, @mattleidecker descends through the pinch of a couloir on a recent multi day ski tour in the Idaho backcountry. #skitour #skitouring #winter #backcountry #backcountryskiing #skiing #cornsnow #snow #couloir #steepskiing #wintercamping #adventure #explore #ski #earnyourturns #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha #sonyalpha

My daughter, @kaia_wolfrom has taken an interest in photography and is currently taking a class at my Alma Matter @montanastateuniversity. This past weekend, she came home to celebrate her brother's 18th birthday. The day after @finn_wolfrom took another trip around the sun, she and I snuck out for a road trip down the Salmon River where we stopped a few times to capture some images. It's really fun to be able to share my love of photography with her and I see that she appreciates the natural world in a similar way. Images all mean something to people as they view them. To me, so often the images I capture remind me of the stories that were unfolding as I pressed the shutter. This time, this image, it's all about sharing time with my daughter driving the backroads of Idaho! #photography #landscapephotography #rivers #time #daughters #roadtrip #snow #family #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Maybe winter just starts later now? I’ve heard that seasons rotate like the magnetic poles have swapped. Here, @leedrakedesign enjoys some wintry cold smoke in the backcountry! #coldsmoke #snow #powder #powderskiing #backcountryskiing #earnyourturns #whatgoesupmustcomedown #winter #seasons

In early April 2022, four friends and I returned from ten amazing days skiing the peaks within Kenai Fjords National Park up in Alaska. I've posted some images from this trip here on @instagram. The article I wrote about the adventure went to press in the winter of 22/23 in @nationalparksmagazine. I was just recently notified that the article became a finalist in the American Society of Magazine Editor's “National Magazine Awards” @magawards for their "Lifestyle Story." Today, I was notified that the piece took a bronze with the North American Travel Journaists Association @natjaorg award for Illustrated Story! I can't thank the amazing editors at National Parks Magazine, Rona Marech and Nicole Yin, for their help polishing my words and narrowing down the images to those that went to print. It's an honor to have this recognition from the editors of these awards--especially having this adventure originate from one of my true passions in life--skiing! #skiing #skilife #seatoski #alaska #skialaska #kenaifjords #nationalpark #adventure #sailing #sailingalaska #explore #earnyourturns #skitouring #journalism #photography #winter #snow #chasingdreams #pursueyourdreams #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @patagonia @alaskanbrewing @rez.bay.sailing

Yes, avalanche conditions are high, but if you learn how to mitigate risk by staying on appropriate slope angles you can still get some good skiing in during dangerous conditions. It’s not all about steep and deep in the backcountry, sometimes it’s finding the safe and deep! #backcountryskiing #powderskiing #powpow #schralp #earnyourturns #winter #snow #powder #adventure #explore #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @atomicski

He did it again! As was the story yesterday, at today’s USASA Sun Valley competition, @finn_wolfrom styled his way to the number one spot on the podium! #skiing #freeski #skiingislife #skiingisfun #parkskiing #skilife #airtime #dream @svseffreeski @svsef @k2.skis @capeeshsupply @sonyalpha

Congratulations to @finn_wolfrom for standing on top of the podium at today's USASA comp here in Sun Valley! Four years worth of dedication and pursuit of following your passion has paid off! #parkskiing #skiing #skilife #followyourdreams #spinittowinit @svseffreeski @k2.skis @capeeshsupply @sonyalpha

@leedrakedesign enjoys terrain where the only limitation to the path of your descent is the fight against gravity....so does Charlie (the dog). #skiing #powderskiing #backcountryskiing #skilife #earnyourturns #dogs #schralp #adventure #explore #winter #snow #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @montbellamerica

This morning, @mattleidecker, his pup Leo, and I climbed up Gray's Peak while a minor storm passed through South-Central Idaho. What with little snow having fallen in our region, we didn't expect to find much skiable terrain. Truthfully, there wasn't much skiable terrain, but, where there's a will--there's a way. It felt good to get up into the alpine zone where the wind and snow whipped at our faces, froze our fingers as we took photos, and reminded us how important adventures are for the spirit. #mountainclimbing #climbing #backcountryskiing #skiing #alpine #mountains #winter #idaho #adventure #yourshotphotographer #explore @sonyalpha

"I promise, this point up here is the summit." No need to worry about false summits, 'cause the skiing's gonna be good! Jake Cheney and Charlie, while on approach in the Idaho backcountry, make their final strides before stripping skins and dropping in. #backcountryskiing #skintowin #skiing #getoutside #mountains #winter #dogs #idaho #yourshotphotographer #adventure #travel @patagonia_snow @gregorypacks @salomonfreeski

Let’s hope the snowpack sets up and allows us all safe passage this winter! #earnyourturns #backcountryskiing #couloir #skiing #skitouring #snow #avalanche #getoutside #yourshotphotographer

After a few days of winter wilderness camping, our time was up as responsibilities pulled us back to civilization. Old Man Winter wasn't pleased with us and threw a heavy April storm as we skinned and skied our way back to the trailhead. This exit physically challenged our bodies, but more than that, it was mentally frustrating knowing that powder skiing was about to go off! #backcountryskiing #wintercamping #wilderness #skiing #skilife #outdoors #adventure #camping #dumpingsnow #snow #winter #whiteout #snowstorm #yourshotphotographer @patagonia_snow

A few months ago while I was out on a hike along the Olympic National Park, upon reaching the coast my olfactory glands were overwhelmed by the strong smells wafting onshore and while sitting on an ancient trunk washed up and worn down by incessant waves, cobbles, and wind, I thought about the transition of water from my home in the Rockies down to the ocean. Up high at 10,000' above sea level where trees cease to exist, where the first drips of snow melting fall and collect into ever larger formations of rushing water, the simple molecular structure of h2o is clear and free from sharing its space with particulates, chemicals, and detritus. But, as time and distance take their toll in both natural and unnatural ways, turbidity ensues. So, with only a matter of a dozen hours or so needed to move myself by car or plane from the alpine to the ocean, the water's transition from high to low--so obvious and logical--still managed to take me by surprise by it's smell. Its obvious that the ocean has a pungent smell to someone living up at snowline, it is the bathwater for our dirty planet. A juxtaposition revealed itself this past Thanksgiving holiday while visiting family in San Diego. Up north on the wilderness stretch of the Pacific, litter was everywhere and permeated into tidal zones in collections made up primarily of plastic, ropes, and styrofoam. However, while down south, the human population has been taking the time to keep the beachfront clean. While images of garbage in pretty places might help convince us to keep it off the ground, I hope these images are more successful in convincing you that no matter where you live, high or low, the entire stretch needs us all to be more vigilant about reducing our impact, recycling, and treating our ecosystems with respect. #earth #reducereuserecycle #earthdayiseveryday #recycle #coast #water #ocean #birds #wildlife #environment #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Even on a socked-in whiteout kind of day, if you don’t go, you’ll never know. So were a few days while skiing out of @mistayalodge last spring. The void of white surrounding our ascent would occasionally reveal cliffs and steep terrain looming overhead. While skiing by braille isn’t always the most fun, at least it’s skiing! #winter #weather #whiteout #skiing #ski #skicanada #backcountryskiing #skilife

@leedrakedesign clears the fog from his head during a ski break last winter when snow covered the sage hills deep enough to enjoy powder turns just minutes from home. Today, November 16th, with the temperature reaching an abnormal 55F at 5500' above sea level, winter enthusiasts were knocking on wood, crossing fingers, taking shots of Ullr, burning skis, keeping their patio furniture out--hoping that the Old Man comes in heavy and frigid! #oldmanwinter #winteriscoming #bringonwinter #globalweirding #skiing #ski #backcountryskiing #powderturns #powderskiing #winter #powder #goskiing #skilife #earnyourturns #schralp #adventure #getoutside #explore #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Fall weather has been passing through the Intermountain West the past few weeks. As the day of Annular Eclipse began approaching, I was worried that the celestial view would be obscured by thick clouds; I'd rented Sony's 200-600mm lens from @lensrentals and bought a solar neutral density filter to help capture images. Nevertheless, checking NOAA the day before showed that the least amount of cloud cover was to coincide with the peak of the show! Yet, as the event came to unfold, the peak of the clouds happened during the eclipse. Serendipitous moments are my favorite and it all worked out for the best. Here, @finn_wolfrom and his friend Isaak take in the view from atop a granite spire above Harrison Pass, Nevada, as the cloud layer moves between the three celestial objects. #annularsolareclipse #eclipse #celestial #planetearth #solareclipse #solareclipse2023 #nevada #getoutside #yourshotphotographer #ringoffire #outside #sun @sonyalpha @lensrentals @benrousa This photo was taken without the strong ND filter. During the eclipse, no filters are needed as the amount of light from the sun is diminished.

A week ago, I returned from photographing the @communityschool @outdoorleadershipacademy Coast trip along Washington’s Olympic National Park’s seashore. Here are some images that highlight the adventure these 10th grade students got after! #getoutside #explore #adventure #backpacking #olympicnationalpark #washington #coastal #fromhereanywhere #pacificocean #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

After multiple inches of rain soaked the coast overnight, it was a great surprise to unzip the tent and find the warm early morning light on the sea stacks. #riseandshine #washingtoncoast #olympicpeninsula #olympicnationalpark #nationalpark #sunrise #beach #backpacking #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @benrousa

Some of the coldest moments in my life when I've been chilled and shivering have been on the coast. So, when the forecast called for multiple inches of rain, gale force winds, and 50 degree nights over the week we'd be backpacking the Olympic Peninsula this past week, I was anxious about staying dry and warm. Thankfully, the weatherman overestimated the "bomb cyclone" that had been predicted and our group moved down the 25 miles of coast through mixed weather and were never miserable! The benefit to being out and exposed to the weather was the beautiful moody skies! #olympicpeninsula #washington #backpacking #blackandwhitephotography #landscape #landscapephotography #coast #olympicnationalpark #tidal #pacific #pacificnorthwest #pacificocean #yourshotphotographer @benrousa @sonyalpha

At the North end of Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, you can find "Hole In The Rock," a natural arch found in the headland created by the surf and weather. The geology of these constantly eroding headlands is directly tied to ancient glaciers, plate tectonics, and the pounding coastal weather. Someday, this amazing arch will collapse and another sea stack will be added to the hundreds found along this section of Washington's Pacific coast. #ocean #geology #olympicnationalpark #nationalparks #washington #landscape #landscapephotography #coast #yourshotphotographer #tidal #seastacks #arches #holeinthewall @sonyalpha @benrousa

Yesterday, I returned from participating in an 8th grade backpacking trip as a co-leader and photographer for The Community School which is based in Ketchum, Idaho. Kids really learn quite a lot about what they are capable of by being challenged outdoors. This group of young men and women all had the chance to keep everyone fed, carried group gear and food, waded creeks four times, hiked through challenging terrain, and did it all with community service projects on both ends of their time outdoors. Here are a few images from the hike in the Frank Church Wilderness. @communityschool @sonyalpha #getkidsoutside #outdooreducation #experientiallearning #outdoors #adventure

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Adventure equates to approaching the unknown with a sense of curiosity, acceptance of risk, and ability to persevere through difficulties. When we travel abroad to explore new ranges or coasts or rivers, often times there are few to no regulations limiting any persons quest to immerse themselves and test their abilities on an adventure. In the USA, when risk hits a high point due to geologic changes, the government tends to prohibit adventurers from getting deep into the situations they seek. Thankfully, on our recent Middle Fork Salmon trip—we got clearance Clarence to test our resolve. Here @birdlew pulls her way through the loose portion of a log jam above Velvet Falls en route to the mandatory portage. #whitewater #whitewaterkayaking #rivers #adventure #type2fun #perserverance #kayaking #kayak #middleforksalmon @jackson.kayak @wernerpaddles #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

A night on the ground on any outdoor adventure is a treat to the eyes when staring skyward. But, when one coincides with a new moon—the stars are that much more glorious! Thankfully, central Idaho is a Dark Sky Reserve wherein cities opt to help keep light pollution to a minimum. This photo, captured in the Frank Church Wilderness, is far away from any city lights. #darkskyreserve #nightlights #stars #astronomy #startrails #mountains #mountain #celestial #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Tappan Falls on the Middle Fork of the Salmon river gets its namesake from the early 20th century ranchers, Daisy and Fred Tappan who raised two boys a stones throw from the gin clear waters that today’s boating community enjoys. After spending the night at Lower Grouse camp, adjacent to the Tappan cabin, @marittwolfrom drops the falls as an exhilarating way to start the day! #whitewaterrafting #rafting #rivers #middlefork #salmonriver #whitewater #mountains #idaho #adventure @airewhitewater @nrsweb #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @cataractoars

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area it never occurred to me that rivers changed course; I tied a river bed altering its curvature with the same change as that of a mountain—taking millions of years. Since moving to the Mountain West, I’ve learned differently. First, by meeting friends who knew a section of river “back before….happened,” and more recently having seen how weather affects the landscape. Three years ago I obtained a permit to float the Middle Fork of the Salmon river here in Idaho, however, every August since, monsoonal rains caused landslides which blocked the river with rock and wood debris. This year, I petitioned the Forest Service to allow my crew to run the upper 25 miles of the Middle Fork with the understanding that we’d need to portage the blow outs. We were granted the opportunity and so shoved off on 8/13 from the Boundary Creek launch site. Though it took us six hours to travel five river miles, what we witnessed was humbling and amazing. The volume of rock and earth that had been carried down the side drainages into the main river channel was immense and awesome. Here, in this image, my crew finishes the portage around the longest log jam which we found just below the rapid known as “Hell’s Half Mile.” #riverrafting #whitewaterrafting #rafting #rivers #weather #geology #kayaking #whitewaterkayaking #mountains #idaho #middlefork #middleforksalmon #teamwork #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @airewhitewater @nrsweb @astralfootwear @watershed_drybags @kokatatusa @immersionresearch

Matt Leidecker drops in to one of Idaho's finest watering holes to see if his @airewhitewater raft needed a drink! #whitewater #whitewaterrafting #riverrafting #rapids #rivers #mountains #idaho #water #goexplore #explore #adventure #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @nrsweb @kokatatusa sawyeroars @pelican

Who said Nevada is ugly? Not true! #nevada #sunset #mountains #landscapephotography #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

The desert reclaims the abandoned in a mean way. Dry winds, heavy rains, sand, dirt, endless sun radiating. I have been building a series on this theme for a number of years. I limit the number of prints in the series to 10 and images can be purchased on my Etsy storefront if you are interested: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WolfromPHOTO #desert #deserted #highway395 #california #fineart #fineartphotography #landscapephotography #photography #signs #motel #desertification @sonyalpha

Sometimes it’s not about the whitewater or the adrenaline rush, but rather the time in between when your focus is upon the incredible landscape you are floating through. #awe #nature #landscape #kayak #kayaking #river #canyon #whitewaterkayaking #soakitup #adventure #explore #getoutdoors #yourshotphotographer @jackson.kayak @wernerpaddles @sweetprotection @sonyalpha @nrsweb @astralfootwear @immersionresearch

There are basalt canyons in Idaho that are cousins in appearance to their Utah sandstone relatives. They appear as such a wild anomaly as you approach their rims, but once inside, have flashbacks to time spent inside red rock walls. #geology #canyons #river #desert #landscapephotography #photography #blackandwhitephotography #fineart #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

This Spring, Idaho's desert rivers have been enjoying record flows. Here, @danimal__81 samples a taste of the bubly for himself. #whitewaterkayaking #kayaking #whitewater #adventure #getoutside #explore #rivers #spring #yourshotphotographer @wakakayaks @wernerpaddles @nrsweb @sonyalpha

The dynamic weather that Spring brings to this area of Idaho, where the desert meets the mountains, is a welcome change from Winter. Today, after exploring a river canyon for a potential kayak run, we drove back out into the sagebrush desert where this scene unfolded. This image was captured with Sony's RX100VII Cybershot camera which I've been testing out this past week. For a point and shoot camera, I am impressed with many of this little camera's features: physical size, image quality, frame rate, focus speed, etc. I think it would fit into my arsenal for times when I don't have room for a larger camera. Sure, there are a few improvements I'd love to see, like a smaller aperture approaching f/22 instead of its current f/11 which would make cutting light easier when photographing long exposures of running water, etc; f.2.8 at the longer zoom reaches would be amazing for portraits, macro, etc; somehow making the zoom function manual as managing the shutter and zoom function during sport shots is difficult (they both share the same position on the camera). However, with that said, it's a very capable camera! #landscapephotography #blackandwhitephotography #spring #clouds #mountains #yourshotphotographer @sony

The Sceptre Spire rises out of Nexus Peak's NE ridge and is a relic from the days when glaciers filled these valleys. This is the view from @mistayalodge front porch--where you can photograph wintry landscape images in slippers and cotton clothes! #landscapephotography #winter #blackandwhitephotography #fineartphotography #geology #glaciers #backcountryskiing #canada @sonyalpha

When you say, “desert river,” images of the Colorado in the Grand Canyon, or the Green river, Salt, Yampa, etc come to mind. Here in south central Idaho, as water drains from the high alpine peaks of the Intermountain West, it flows out into the Sagebrush Steppe—a desert in its own right. After winters with above average snowfall some of the more overlooked rivers come alive with navigable flows. Here, @christophercook333 surfs a wave formed by a basalt ledge drop on the Little Wood river. The Little Wood doesn’t peak with enough water to kayak very often which makes for it being a novel descent. #kayak #kayaksurf #surf #rivers #whitewater #kayaking #idaho #riverrunning #playboating @daggerkayaks @sony

While en route to kayak a seldom running stretch of water, the sky threatened our decision to launch on the adventure. #weather #threateningskies #adventure #enroute #clouds #getoutside #yourshotphotographer @sony

After four days of weather ranging from partial to zero visibility, our crew was treated to a bluebird day of skiing above @mistayalodge. Thanks to our guides setting skin tracks that kept our legs under us, we skied three different glaciers and just over 6500 vert before returning to nachos and beers on the porch! #backcountryskiing #whatgoesupmustcomedown #powder #ski #skilife #earnyourturns #canada #canadianrockies #mountains #snow #skitouring #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @thebackcountry

It's hard to beat a stormy descent adjacent to an ice cave on the Wildcat Glacier while staying at the amazing @mistayalodge. The staff who work for @thebackcountry attended their annual Manager's meeting this past week and were treated to Mistaya's relaxed atmosphere, amazing hospitality, food, sauna, and incredible terrain--an experience not to miss. I worked for the Backcountry years back and jumped at the opportunity to join the crew on this phenomenal adventure. #canada #backcountryskiing #skiing #ski #earnyourturns #glacierskiing #stormday #powder #springskiing #adventure #snow #glacier #yourshotphotographer @mistayalodge @thebackcountry @sonyalpha

Leave No Trace fires on the river happen in a fire pan so that all ash gets collected and goes downstream with the group. Knowing that people have been running these rivers for decades and campsites are void of fire rings and half burned logs gives a heightened sense of exploratory adventure. #campfire #camping #kayak #river #adventure #explore #tent #whitewaterkayaking #canyon #leavenotrace #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @patagonia

While river trips are all about being on the water, getting up and out of the canyon is an opportunity to put into scale the erosive work of time and water. In southern Idaho, rivers have cut deep canyons into the volcanic sagebrush steppe which often times are unnoticeable unless very near their rim. #sunrise #sunrisephotography #idaho #canyon #river #landscapephotography #landscape #photographyeveryday #photography #photographylovers #hiking #rafting #kayaking #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

A headless kayaker or a river rat getting a faceshot? I suppose it can't be both! On a recent multi-day trip down one of Idaho's desert rivers, Jeff Ford finds his way through the whitewater using all his senses other than visual. #whitewaterkayaking #whitewater #rivers #kayaking #adventure #idaho #flow #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @jackson.kayak @wernerpaddles @nrsweb @aquafurgear

A long shuttle to the launch site set our schedule back by hours and kept our party from kayaking the river miles we had hoped to cover the first day. Serendipitously, the delay gave us the opportunity to camp where a small tributary added its flow to the larger river. The moody evening weather and a long exposure with a ND filter helped with this photo. #landscapephotography #river #kayaking #selfsupportkayak #whitewaterkayaking #desert #desertriver #idaho #fineartphotography #adventure #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @benrousa

Hootin' and hollerin' was a happenin'! #enjoyeachday #powderskiing #skiing #backcountryskiing #wildfire #april #ski #skilife @blackdiamond_snow @dpsskis @patagonia @ospreypacks @sonyalpha

It was a tough call, do we try for questionable powder or go for corn snow? We opted for the corn run, but, the north face line tempted us all day. #chugach #alaska #skiing #backcountry #backcountryskiing #earnyourturns #turnagainarm #skilife #mountains #climbing #ridges #yourshotphotographer @patagonia @sonyalpha @dpsskis

Some classrooms don't have walls. The past few days I've been out photographing @communityschool students during their winter fields study. After studying snow science, group dynamics, weather, and so much more--the kids get to rip some turns! #skischool #outdoorlearning #outdoorclassroom #skiing #backcountryskiing #powderskiing #powder #getoutside #snow #mountains

@holter_anton doesn't stick to life on the ground--it's too limiting. #zerogravity #infinitepossibilities #ski #freeskiing #competition #skiing #skiresort #jump #yourshotphotographer @factionskis @svseffreeski @svsef @sunvalley @sonyalpha @usasasnow

Between heats during a @usasasnow slopestyle competition, @finn_wolfrom keeps the stoke alive sessioning the big line on Sun Valley's Dollar Mountain. #freeskiing #skiing #parkskiing #skilife #schralp @factionskis @svseffreeski @svsef @sonyalpha

@svseffreeski athlete @gcork890 enjoys some inverted time during a @usasasnow slopestyle competition at @sunvalley resort's Dollar Mountain. #freeskiing #parkskiing #skiing #airtime #sunvalley #sunvalleyidaho #yourshotphotographer @k2.skis @sonyalpha

Erin Griffith and Jake Cheney near their high point, a bump just south of Phoenix Peak within Kenai Fjords National Park. On this "front country" day tour, we skinned up Lowell Creek and then skied down Japanese Creek--circumnavigating Marathon Mountain which lies adjacent to Seward, Alaska. The background in the photo shows the many fjords that extend south from the Kenai Peninsula. Even hiking a few miles from small towns in Alaska gets you a taste of the vast wilderness that lies beyond. #backcountryskiing #skialaska #alaska #skiing #earnyourturns #skitouring #skilife #kenaifjords #seward #explore #adventure #mountains #humanpoweredadventures #nationalparks #yourshotphotographer @dpsskis @patagonia @sonyalpha @ospreypacks @plum_officiel

Dawn this morning while out exploring the hills above town was beautiful. The valley fog reached north obscuring humankind from view. I always enjoy considering the scenes before me which have towns, roads, homes in them as they would have been before the 1800’s. #skitouring #skitour #dawnpatrol #backcountryskiing #skiing #landscapephotography #westernlandscape #dawn #sunrise #mountains #sastrugi #fog #texture

Sun dog from todays ski tour. #backcountryskiing #sundog #earnyourturns #soloadventure #skiing #adventure #winter #snow #planetearth

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours! I hope you all are well and getting some lengthy time in the White Room! #whiteroom #powderskiing #skiing #schralp #happyholidays #powderskiing #merrychristmas #yourshotphotographer @patagonia @dpsskis

Ah, the pull of the mountains! #climbing #alpine #skiing #skiingisfun #upupandaway #winter #snow #mountains #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Finding soft snow isn’t as difficult when high temps stay below 20F. Here, @mattleidecker reaches for the next powder turn. #powderskiing #powderfordays #backcountryskiing #backcountry #skiing #skilife #yourshotphotographer #earnyourturns #humanpoweredadventures #humanpowered #adventure

In Alaska, sailing to go skiing isn't a weird idea. This past April, five of us went out on a ten day skiing adventure that used a 35' sailboat to access the peaks in Kenai Fjords National Park. National Parks Conservation Association publishes a great magazine which just dropped their Winter edition in which an article I wrote and photographed highlights the trip. The online version is here: https://www.npca.org/articles/3325-from-peak-to-sea In this photo, while aboard the 35' "Madrona," Erin Griffith and Jake Chaney study downloaded topo maps to plan the next days ski tour. #seatoski #skilife #travel #adventure #sailing #backcountryskiing #skiing #seward #kenaifjordsnationalpark #yourshotphotographer #alaskabrewery @sonyalpha @patagonia @npcapics @apple @caltopo @alaskanbrewing

As a backcountry skier, watching the larger ski community enjoy the blizzard snow days riding lifts and staying safe thanks to resort patrollers takes a bit of patience as no dynamite gets thrown where I like to ski. The added stress of new storm snow on an already unstable snowpack takes time to heal, during which my partners and I study maps and snow angles in an attempt to ski powder but not get buried in a slide. Yesterday, as clouds and fog came and went on a local ravine, we found some safe terrain and fun skiing! #backcountry #backcountryskiing #powder #skiing #earnyourturns #schralp #patagonia @patagonia #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @dpsskis

An unknown backcountry skier ascends a ridge on his way back up for another powder run. In the distance, storm clouds clear after the previous week's weather dropped three feet of new snow. Though avalanche danger was high on this day, these slopes stayed just under the angle threshold that allows snow slabs to fracture and slide. With that being said, skiing alone in all but green light conditions carries significant risk only mitigated by knowledge and experience. #backcountryskiing #lovewhereyoulive #mountains #blackandwhitephotography #whereswaldo @sonyalpha #yourshotphotographer #avalanchesafety #snow #winter

#tgif #powpow #powderskiing #skiing #backcountry #backcountryskiing #earnyourturns

As a landlocked rocky mountain photographer, it's fun to have an image on the cover of @pacific_yachting! This sunrise image is of the 35' Madrona owned and operated by @rez.bay.sailing. We were anchored in Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, AK. getting ready for our second day backcountry skiing when I snuck a few minutes in to launch the drone. #sailing #sailinglife #wintersailing #backcountry #backcountryskiing #skiing #skiinglife #winter #kenaifjords #alaska #skialaska

I can’t believe it was available! #schralp #backcountryskiing #skiing

Here's a photo tip for all you parents out there: get a big pile of leaves together, lay down in front and let your kids throw 'em into the air with all the joy they can muster while you hold down the rapid fire button on your camera! #familyportraits #sunvalleyidaho #kids #fall #fallcolors

I think we have @benwhiteskis and @miss.millington to thank for this amazing Fall weather--ever since their wedding a few weeks ago, the Rocky Mountain weather has been as incredible as was their wedding! #fallcolors #weddingportrait #alta #utah #mountainwedding #wedding #weddingphotography

Wildfire smoke fills the sky in western Idaho along the Salmon river giving sunset a remarkable glow. #sunset #wildfire #kayak #kayaking #river #whitewaterkayaking #adventure #explore #landscape #iphonephotography #camping

Mark Sachs looks down the Main Salmon River and prepares to kayak a rapid while the Patrol Point fire actively burns up a ridge in the Frank Church River Of No Return Wilderness. #wildfire #whitewater #kayak #kayaking #riverrafting #wilderness #salmonriver #gopro #goprophoto #yourshotphotographer #riverofnoreturn #rivers #idaho #adventure #fireonthemountain @jackson.kayak @wernerpaddles @nrsweb

As far as wedding getaway vehicles go, Becca and Erik took off as newlyweds with style! These two outdoor athletes incorporated their love of whitewater rafting into their ceremony with this @hysideinflatables raft, throwbags lining their guests seats, etc. The little white board on the back of their raft says, "Just Married!" #wedding #getawayvehicle #justmarried #weddinginspiration #weddingideas #mountainwedding #rafting #whitewater #idahowedding #yourshotphotographer @sonyalphapro @sonyalpha

Last night's sunset was a feast for the eyes. It was great to see how many people pulled over along the highway to stop and take it all in. #sunset #mountains #idaho #roadtrip #getoutside #yourshotphotographer #thunderstorms #clouds #silhouette #landscapephotography @sonyalpha

If only the time spent making this image were as peaceful as the scene before me. At the moment, bordering on miserable, mosquitos took their fair share of my blood. Today, three days later, those bites ranging from earlobes to ankles still yearn to be scratched! #waterfall #mountains #landscapephotography #blackandwhitephotography #fineart #adventure #nature #backpacking #water #river #yourshotphotographer @sonyalphapro

Old snags are a poetic metaphor to life our time spent on Earth. Some of these trees grew and witnessed the changing of seasons from incredible vantage points--if only we were able to view their time alive in a timelapse video! #landscapephotography #fineartphotography #timelapse #startrails #adventure #backpacking #hiking #stars #idahodarkskyreserve #photography #nature #digitalphotography #getoutside #yourshotphotographer @sonyalphapro

I should have brought my skis! #summersnow #backcountryskiing #hiking #backpacking #skiing #alpine #mountains

A self portrait doing my best Cru Jones impersonation! #mountainbike #dirtbike #oldschool #radthemovie #bikelife #the80s #bicycle @evilbicycles #mountainbiking #toomuchfun

@gregoryalanisakov in Bozeman this evening—a great set and performance—thank you! #livemusic #bozeman @elmbozeman

I've met old timer Idahoans, who, as children witnessed the headwaters of the Salmon River just north of Galena Pass--FULL OF SALMON. They said the river was red as far as the eye could see. These days, you can count on one hand the number that make it up the river to the hatchery just south of Redfish Creek. Please take a moment to voice your opinion on removing the lower dams on the Snake River: https://action.outdooralliance.org/a/snake_river_dam_removal This images is of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, a tributary of the Snake. By removing the Snake dams, it opens the salmon runs to make it up the many forks of the Salmon River. #rivers #salmon #whitewater #kayaking #rafting #fishing #idaho

I truly believe the more effort you put into something, the more the return. Here, Matt Leidecker enjoys one of Idaho's seldom run sections of whitewater. It took us nearly as long to drive to this gem, run the shuttle (a 15 mile, 1800' climb on my mom's bikepath bike in 85F sun) as our time spent on the river! This roadless canyon was void of other boaters, the air temps warm, river was cold, and the whitewater continuous--worth every second! #whitewaterrafting #whitewater #rafting #rapids @airewhitewater sawyeroars #mountains #river #adventure #explore #yourshotphotographer @sonyalphapro @pelican #goexplore #getoutside #protectourrivers #idaho #whitewaterstate

Sometimes it's the moments after the commotion, the action, the storm, that make for the moment to capture. Here, after an afternoon thunderstorm's intensity has passed, the stillness of the mountains makes itself known in more impressive ways than the preceding ruckus. #mountains #momentofzen #reflection #sunset #serenity #mountainlakes #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

8 seconds of island time photographed through a -6 ND filter at f/22 with an ISO of 50 on a Sony a9ii. #takemeback #maui #sunset #island #islandtime #landscape #landscapephotography #yourshotphotographer #hawaii #ocean @sonyalpha

The a'a lava flow along the southeastern coast of Maui with Molokini and Kaho'olawe in the distance. The geology of Maui and its surrounding islands is fascinating--eruptions go as far back as 230,000 years and as recent as 1790! #maui #hawaii #geology #oceans #lava #islandlife #molokini #travel #travelphotography #landscapephotography #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Cloud 9–hiking with my kids in tropical paradise! #maui #adventure #family #cloud9 @finn_wolfrom @kaia_wolfrom

Who's checking out who? The Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda), is an introduced species to the islands of Hawai'i originating in Madagascar. This one was a curious gecko that liked to spin around the palm tree as it was being photographed. These primarily live off if insects and nectar, but also other lizards. Over their lifespan of up to 10 years they can grow to a length of 6". #gecko #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #macrophotography #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha #geicomascot #jungle #island #maui #hawaiilife

Round 2 of, "Name That Rapid!" At high flows, standing next to a turbulent rapid with the roar of the water and the stop action our eyes capture of each splash and curl of a wave is about as opposite a feeling as what a long shutter image conveys. Can you name this rapid? #whitewater #whitewaterrafting #whitewaterkayaking #rapids #rivers #landscapephotography #landscape #nature #naturephotography #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

A group of Wood River Valley kids put together a local slalom kayak race this past week on the Big Wood River. Their support of one another, excitement for having fun on the Big Wood (which is not known as a whitewater destination by any means) proved how kayaking brings people together in amazing ways! #kayaking #whitewater #whitewaterkayaking #riverlife #riverfolk #rivercommunity #rivers #slalomkayak #adventuresports #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Light and shadows, Harris Bay, Alaska #landscapephotography #blackamdwhitephotography #photography #naturephotography #landscape #sunset #alaska #yourshotphotographer #sonyalpha #travel #adventure #mountains #skidreams #skiing #backcountryskiing #backcountry #snow #winter #getoutside

On a warm and sunny Spring morning outside Seward, Alaska, Jacob Cheney climbs to get his backcountry ski turns. @stockalpinellc wrote the guidebook, Alaska Factor, and it’s title informed us while out in the backcountry. Primarily, our sense of scale was skewed having come from our local ranges in Idaho. A section of terrain at first glance, would appear to be a 1/2 hour endeavor—only to take much longer. When we broke away into separate groups, looking over at the other team, they were instantly turned into mere specs as their bodies moved through the incredible terrain. #backcountryskiing #skiing #ski #alaska #adventure #nature #winter #snow #travel #skiphotography #photography #earnyourturns #yourshotphotographer #patagonia #alaskanbrewery @sonyalpha #blackandwhitephotography #getoutside #hiking #skitouring

Mountains are kinda special places and a lot of times, they're easy to look at! #mountains #alaska #storm #photography #skiing #backcountryskiing #blackandwhitephotography #landscape #landscapephotography #yourshotphotographer #landscapephotographer #nationalparks #winter #glacier #snow #travelphotography #travel #adventure #getoutside #explore #sonyalpha @sonyalpha #alpine #couloir #touring #skitouring #playoutside #climbing

According to a late 70's survey USGS topo map we were using, the anchorage of our boat was within the first 1/4 mile of the glacier--to reach that same location 50 years ago would have been impossible. The first mile of this days ski tour tilted imperceptibly uphill to the current toe of the glacier where a surreal half of a sphere was missing from a vertical wall. #glaciers #alaska #winter #skiing #adventure #travel #kenaiseatoski #backcountryskiing #powderturns #skitouring #yourshotphotographer #mountains @sonyalpha #patagonia #alaskanbrewery @rez.bay.sailing #kenaifjords #nationalpark #getoutside #landscape #nature #photography

In early Spring, the northern end of Aialik Bay is a dynamic location for all of your senses. Squalls pass through every few hours, the glacier thunders from its gravity forced grind, sea and land animals are inquisitive of your existence, and the quiet is profound. #nature #nationalparks #landscape #landscapephotography #kenaipeninsula #alaska #stormy #winterlandscape #snow #travel #travelphotography #explore #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @earthpix

The Gulf of Alaska was calm by Alaska standards as we neared Cape Aialik. However, for this Idaho based photographer, traveling with the swells coming at us from the port side were enough to get a bit of sea sickness started; cold sweats. Thankfully, by staying above deck with the wind on my face and a view of the amazing peaks--my lunch stayed where it needed to stay! #kenaifjordsnationalpark #nationalparks #ocean #mountains #boating #sailing #stormy #weather #adventure #adventuretime #landscapephotography #blackandwhitephotography #alaska #coastal #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Thumb Cove in Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska, at night a few weeks ago was a lovely sight to behold! #nightskyphotography #nightphotography #astrophotography #stars #celestial #landscapephotography #alaska #sewardalaska #resurrectionbay #ocean #coast #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

Where snow meets the ocean, the landscape is unreal. Ascending mountains on skis under human power to gain views of the coast, then having the thrill of carving turns all the way back to sea level is, simply put, a gift. #seatoski #alaska #backcountryskiing #skialaska #seward #yourshotphotographer #kenaifjordsnationalpark #nationalparks @sonyalpha #skiing #snow #resurrectionbay #adventure #earnyourturns #humanpoweredadventures #landscapephotography #kenaipeninsula

Mountaintops in wintry conditions make us feel small for good reason--we are inconsequential and easily wiped from away from our puny perch on their steep slopes. Our time up high is fleeting; retreating down, ultimately, is a submission acknowledging our vulnerability to the elements that exist in a place that we endeavor to enjoy, but, cannot withstand entirely. #mountains #alpine #winter #climbing #skiing #backcountryskiing #landscape #landscapephotography #alaska #chugach #weather #snow #adventure #travel #travelphotography #blackandwhitephotography #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha

It’s rare to get away from it all and even rarer to not see another soul for ten days while in a National Park! Here, Jacob Chaney scores some solo time above Harris Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park. #kenaifjordsnationalpark #nationalparks #skiing #backcountryskiing #adventure #travel #earnyourturns #photography #skiadventure #seatoski #winter #nature @patagonia @alaskanbrewing @rez.bay.sailing @sonyalpha #yourshotphotographer

We sailed ten days, we skied amazing terrain, we thoroughly enjoyed Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska! Stay tuned for more images and stories! Carbon offset using www.terrapass.com #kenaiseatoski #skiing #backcountryskiing #sailing @rez.bay.sailing #adventure #winter #powderskiing #powpow #earnyourturns #travel @patagonia @sonyalpha #yourshotphotographer

We dropped anchor in Thumb Bay last night just before sunset. We’re off today getting out past cell coverage toward Aialik Peninsula—have a great week y’all! #sailing #adventuretime #kenaiseatoski #sunset #alaska #fjordsarecool

And we’re off! Not enough wind to sail yet, but a lovely day to head out! #sailing #adventure #alaska #kenaiseatoski #patagonia #alaskanbrewery

The harbor in Seward, Alaska, this morning as we prepare to set sail for Kenai Fjords National Park was a mix of weather with occasional vignettes of the amazing peaks that surround this fishing village. #travel #adventure #alaska #mountains #travelphotography #kenaiseatoski

Headed to Alaska for a skiing adventure! #adventure #alaska #travel #specterofthebrocken #iphonephoto @alaskaairlines #kenaiseatoski

It's amazing what a little determination will get you. Today we set out expecting to find "dust-on-crust" conditions in the backcountry. While that was the case on southern aspects, a little extra effort paid off as we found soft snow on the north side of a ridge! #powderskiing #backcountryskiing #earnyourturns #adventure #skiphotography #skiing #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @patagonia

What’s better than a Heli-Ski wedding? Um, nothing? My good friends, Erin & Jake with their parents and friend/officiant got a heli drop high in the Idaho mountains this past Friday! With the wind whipping snow around, these two skiers both said, “I do!” and then promptly clicked in and made turns as the sun broke through to help celebrate their nuptial! #heliski #wedding #winterwedding #skiing #backcountry #idahowedding #idahoweddingphotographer #shesaidyes #backcountryskiing #heliskiwedding @sunvalleyheliski @sonyalpha #yourshotphotographer

A mid-day start put us at 11,000' sometime around 3pm. We had hoped to find corn snow by then, but, cooler temps and a strong wind kept the snow variable. Gorgeous views, good friends, and a healthy dose of fresh air in the lungs made for a great day! #backcountryskiing #skiing #alpine #backcountry #snow #skilife #shralpin #springskiing

Dolphins surf, pelicans too--I've even seen Canada Goose surf river waves! But, dogs ski! Or, judged by their smile--they'd like too! #skiing #ski #dogsofinstagram #dogdays #backcountry #backcountryskiing #powderskiing #powder #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha @patagonia @dpsskis

Skiing a burned forest is a strangely beautiful experience. Sliding through light piercing between the burnt trunks, their shadows silhouettes against the snow, makes for a unique and surreal ride! #backcountryskiing #backcountry #skiing #powder #earnyourturns #ski #snow #winter #yourshotphotographer @sonyalpha