...without photos.
I'm back at my friends' cabin about 50 miles from GFM. Just catching my
breath before the drive home tomorrow.
The weekend was long, beautiful, grueling and rewarding. Nothing beats
seeing old friends at such a fabulous place for such a great event.
I arrived at the mountain Thursday evening and was able to spend almost
an hour socializing with Doug Brewer, Don Nelson and a couple of the
other team members before heading out onto the trail. I had the best
weather I've ever had for one of my overnight bivouacs in the back
country. Given the lateness of the hour I only hiked in about a mile and
a quarter, which is plenty when carrying tent, sleeping bag, food ,
water and camera gear (carbon fiber tripods rule!) and I settled on the
Attic Window camp site as my spot for the night. Got a few so-so
evening/sunset shots and then settled down for the night. We had a bit
of rain during the night but nothing major. Sunrise kept promising great
things and then backing out at the last moment: As soon as the light and
clouds in the distance started to get good the mountain itself get
enveloped in a cloud and I couldn't see anything. This happened over and
over and I was only able to get a few decent photos before I had to hike
back to my responsibilities for the weekend.
Friday was mostly preparation for the event, which started in the
evening at the nature museum on the mountain. Doug and I introduced the
photo contest and there was one speaker who did a presentation.
On Saturday morning I let a photo walk on the Profile Trail, a vastly
easier venue than my usual high trail assault on Attic Window Peak.
Scott Loveless and Matt Maessen joined in, along with a handful of other
folks from the workshop. I think we got some good shots from the outing
(I'll let you know how I did soon).
Saturday afternoon I spent polishing my presentation and trying to sell
my book (http://www.robertstech.com/books.htm#blue). Doug and I got a
head start on the photo contest judging, making a first pass through the
submitted photos. Then I went over my plans for my presentation talk. I
was the second presenter for the evening and the talk seemed to go over
very well (I sold a lot more books Sunday after people had heard my talk
and seen my photos).
Sunday morning was the usual blur of activity as Doug and I finished
judging the photo contest and presented the "dishonorable mentions" and
the actual awards. Lots of HDR jokes and bad puns ensued and a jolly
time was had by all. I sold a lot more books ($35.00, signed by the
author; $45.00 unsigned...)
It's amazing - the whole weekend requires an extraordinary amount of
work and seems to just grind by as it's happening, but then it's over
and you wonder how the time went by so quickly. Already looking forward
to next year.
Photos to follow in a few days.
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