Grand Teton Storm
This image of the Grand Teton was taken from the summit of the Middle Teton (12804 ft). The storm clouds did prove fruitful but at least not until I was able to...
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This image of the Grand Teton was taken from the summit of the Middle Teton (12804 ft). The storm clouds did prove fruitful but at least not until I was able to get to a much safer location.
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Jan, 2013Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo of the Grand Teton was taken from the summit of the Middle Teton looking north. I positioned myself up against a boulder on my right side to steady myself from the uneasy feeling of the 2000ft drop to my left.Time
Hit the trailhead just before 5 a.m. 7 miles and 6000ft later I reached the summit around 1 p.m. I knew I was pushing my luck a bit with the clouds in sky but they all "seemed" to be moving away with blue skies following behind. After crawling all around the summit, literally on my hands and knees, looking for the best way to portray the magnitude of the soaring peaks of Grand Teton National Park with the valley floor some 6000ft below.Lighting
I was thrilled to see the clouds breaking up and allowing sunlight to light up some of the distant canyons while some are in the shadows. I believe it worked well to add depth to the image and show the rugged terrain.Equipment
For this image I used a canon 7d with a 16-35 f2.8 lens. Because of the nature of this trip I really had to limit myself to just a camera and one lens or there would be no way I could make this trip in one day like I did.Inspiration
As a boy growing up I can remember working in the farmland below the Tetons changing sprinkler pipe and plowing the fields with a tractor and I would always find myself just staring at the mountains wishing I was there. This photo in a way is a realization of all those boyhood dreams of being in the mountains.Editing
I used lightroom to process the image and add some punch back into the sky so that it looked more like I remember it.In my camera bag
I carry a canon 7d with 16-35 f2.8 and a 70-200 f4. A polarizer, a neutral density filter, a sing ray 3 stop nd grad, as well as a 3 stop reverse grad, a cable release, a headlamp or two or three, and a really right stuff tripod.Feedback
Be sure you are in good shape, know your limits and willing to turn back if the conditions are not right. I was extremely lucky with the weather on this day, the thunder hail and wind didn't develop until after I was down off the peak. That being said, carry rain gear. I have had rain/thunderstorms nearly every time I've been up in the Tetons. Getting an early start is key, an hour can make the difference between reaching the summit and the thrill that goes with it or being forced to turn back early due to weather. Travel light, It is unbelievable the affect that altitude has on your stamina and a heavy pack will act like an anchor and keep you from getting where you want to go. Finally, hire a guide if you are unsure it will make your trip a lot safer and successful.
