Featured Images

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Lake Oeschinen, Switzerland, September 2013. One of the most majestic plays I've ever laid eyes on. We were not greeted with this view when we arrived. The entire lake and surrounding mountains were obscured for two days by thick cloud cover, limiting visibility to a mere 50 feet. On the 3rd morning, I took a brisk walk in below freezing temps and stood dumbfounded in my tracks as the clouds lifted and the sun peaked through, revealing this stunning turquoise lake and massive frosted mountains. Truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

"Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them." ~William Arthur

Summit of Mt Rainier; August 2014 Supermoon. My most memorable climb to date with an incredible group of guys. I had no idea that I would be greeted to this sunrise to the East, and the shadow of Mt Rainier looming behind me to the West alongside the Supermoon. Climbing without headlamps to the light of the Supermoon was a memorable experience in itself as it cast erie shadows into crevasses and played tricks on my eyes on the ice at 14,000 feet.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Summit of Broken Top, Bend OR, June 2010. One of my earliest and most memorable climbing experiences. Not only was this was my first true solo summit but I was greeted with this panoramic introduction to the central cascades. From left to right: South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Jefferson, Mt Hood, Mt Adams.

"In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed." ~Sid Ceasar

Toketee Falls, OR, October 2014. I will forever remember this moment. From the roar of the falls, the chilling mist awakening my senses (and obscuring my lens) and the trickle of the water negotiating the rocks beneath my feet. I returned 6 months later to find the massive log I sat on, no where in sight. A testament to the power of this majestic spot. Sadly, I also found the "trail" to this vantage point to be overused, trampled w/ various pieces of trash along the way. I question the value of social media and the negative impact its exposure can have on beautiful places such as this. I hope that all can learn the value in "leave no trace."

"Sometimes while gazing at the night's sky, I imagine stars looking down making wishes on the brightest of us." Richelle Goodrich

Mt Ashland, Oregon, December 2012. This image will also be eternally engrained in my memory. My first night spent under the stars in the snow. To date, this was the coldest snow camping experience I've ever had. Literally everything froze and I was ill prepared for the sub-zero temps. Yet, it was also my first attempt at capturing the stars at night, and I was quite ecstatic at my results. The glowing haze seen in the distance were clouds that came and went as they passed over the Pacific Crest Trail into California.

“Life is not about weathering the storm, but learning to dance in the rain.”

Crater Lake National Park, April 2013. This weekend snow camping trip in Crater Lake has been one of my most memorable trips to date. Not only was it my first experience with enduring a blizzard and thunder snow in a tent, the clouds and colors made for dramatic reflections on the calm waters of the lake below. This image was taken from the top of Watchmen Peak as the lightening, snow and wind gusts approached behind me from the West.

Reflecting on My Roots

Lower Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge, CA; February 2014. I love this image because this particular composition was not on my radar at all for my trip. We ventured into this vast open basin in Northern CA with the intent of witnessing of the largest migrations and congregations of birds in the US. We most definitely fulfilled our goal, as this 46,000 acre refuge was teeming with Bald Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks, Golden Eagles, Canadian Geese, Snow Geese, Falcons, and numerous other waterfowl. Truly incredible to see 14+ bald eagles sitting together in a single tree. However, this tree caught my eye, its perfect reflection in the water below, as if its roots mirrored its branches above. With my medical background, I could not help but notice when viewing this image on its side, the branches emulate the bronchioles and bronchi of the human lung.

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” ~ George Addair

Summit of Broken Top, Bend OR, June 2010. One of my earliest and most memorable climbing experiences. Not only was this was my first true solo summit but was greeted with this beautiful stark contrast of the red and orange volcanic rock against and remaining spring snow.

"Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination." ~Roy L Goodman

Bachalpsee Lake, Switzerland; September 2012. Words cannot express the beauty of scenery and culture of the Alps. We awoke at 2 AM at the foot of the Northface of the Eiger to hike to this vantage point to watch the sun rise over the Schreckhorn. Truly a magical place.

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~Lao Tzu

Sparks Lake, Bend, OR July 2009. This is one of the first photographs I ever took and continues to be one of my favorite memories. Sitting on the rocks watching the sun disappear as it set fire to the sky. A distant wildfire to the West made for quite a show in the sky.

Peaceful Turbulance

Winter Wonderland

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ~Robert Brault

“Its never too late to be what you might have been.” ~George Eliot

“And the day came when the risk to stay in the bud was greater than the risk to blossom.”~Anais Nin

“Life is not about weathering the storm, but learning to dance in the rain.”

"Eiger Dreams"

"Eiger Dreams"

“Wisdom is the result of multiple perspectives.”

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~Lao Tzu

"Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world."

“When we let ourselves see only what we expect to see, we view the contents of our own minds and miss what is truly before us.”

"We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down." ~Kurt Vonnegut