
In early the middle of January, with the help of a snowmobile, a chainsaw and a lot of steps uphill, I was able to access the celebrated Sahale Peak in North Cascades National Park. Despite the many miles of approach work and road clearing required, we had our sights on some big ski descents. However, as is so often the case, nature had different plans for us.
As soon as we parked the snowmobile at the trailhead and began our climb in earnest, it was obvious that the wind coming over Cascade Pass was going to limit our exploits. Despite discomfort and the necessity of conservative route finding, we found ourselves safely ascending the peak via its southern ridge. The cold, clear day rendered immense scenery, but I was just as fascinated at what was happening below our skis.
Under close study, snow proves to be one of the earth's truly malleable substances. Its density ranges from weightless powder to solid ice, its forms can be soft and subtle, or as jagged as a serrated blade. While temperature, humidity, radiation and time all work to constantly change the snow, perhaps no force has greater power to effect sudden change than the wind. A single hour of wind can completely transform a smooth snowscape into infinite sweeping lines and feathered edges, eventually sculpting the snow into hard masses of endless subtle design.
In all of my years of backcountry skiing and mountain travel, I've never seen blankets of feathery frost crystals like we observed that morning.
Date & Time | January 13, 2019: 11am |
Location | Sahale Peak, North Cascades National Park, Washington |
Coordinates | 48.472100, -121.055100 |
Focal Length | 116mm |
Aperture | f/9 |
Shutter | 1/1000 sec |
ISO | 125 |
Num of Exposures | 12 |
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Total Pixels | 187,852,126 px |
Width | 16,786 px |
Height | 11,191 px |
Aspect Ratio | 1.5 : 1 |
Date & Time | January 13, 2019: 11am |
Location | Sahale Peak, North Cascades National Park, Washington |
Coordinates | 48.472100, -121.055100 |
Focal Length | 116mm |
Aperture | f/9 |
Shutter | 1/1000 sec |
ISO | 125 |
Num of Exposures | 12 |
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