Earth Day 2019

Happy Earth Day 2019! This day will always remain significant to me for many reasons: https://www.colintyler.com/news/2015/4/22/from-ashes-to-adventure-one-year-in-this-big-giant-life?rq=from%20ashes%20to%20ad
In keeping with tradition on this date, I am off to explore a location that is new to me and thankfully the rain has turned to snow for my day hike excursion. I took this image last year on Earth Day in Hatcher Pass, Alaska. Exactly one month later it made the Daily Dozen at National Geographic Yourshot.

Colin

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Daily Dozen at National Geographic Your Shot

Good morning, friends. It’s been a busy couple of weeks and I am just getting ready to leave for Valdez, where I will be spending a few days in an area of Prince William Sound that I have never visited before. In the meantime, I wanted to share some exciting news - the photo I took of the skier in Hatcher Pass, Alaska on April 22, Earth Day, received an editor’s note on the National Geographic Your Shot page yesterday and subsequently made the Daily Dozen, as chosen by Nat Geo editors. It is always rewarding and simultaneously humbling to receive recognition from National Geographic. My image is currently one of the most popular trending on Your Shot today. Unfortunately I arrived home too late to post this yesterday and ask you to vote for your favorite of the Daily Dozen but you can still view them by clicking the image below. Have a great week and I hope to return with new images and experiences to share!

Colin

PS - I would love to contact the skier in this photo. It was taken around 5 pm on Sunday, April 22. I was shooting across the valley from the Marmot Peak area in Hatcher Pass. There were two skiers; this is the second person to descend. Please contact me if you or someone you know might be pictured here.

Earth Day 2018

Earth Day will always remain a significant day to me for many reasons but mostly because it’s the day my life took a big turn. Looking back on all of my experiences since that time, the places I’ve gone and the people I have met, it is clear that what began as a tragedy ultimately turned into opportunity, and the worst thing I ever experienced turned out to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me.  It wasn’t easy, but there were a lot of valuable lessons along the way. If you’d like, you can read the story here: http://www.colintyler.com/news/2015/4/22/from-ashes-to-adventure-one-year-in-this-big-giant-life?rq=ashes

Five years have since passed and each year I make a point to go outside on Earth Day to do something new or explore a place I have not been. Yesterday I took my skis to Independence Mine State Park in Hatcher Pass to enjoy the dwindling snowpack and appreciate the light. I took my camera gear out for a bit on my backcountry skis and later ditched the camera to do some skate skiing, so the panoramic is courtesy of my iPhone 8 Plus. The image of the downhill skier was taken with a telephoto at 550mm. Graceful and proficient, this person was carving a beautiful line and the sidelight created a wonderful texture.

So, Happy Earth Day 2018. My greeting is belated because I was out exploring but honestly; we ought to be compelled to honor the earth each and every day.

Colin

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Skiing in Eagle River Valley

xEnjoying the beauty in my backyard. One of the best investments I made this past year is this set of Excursion 88 touring skis from Fischer Sports Nordic Ski. With all of the snow we've received this winter and the recent cold temps, I am able to ski on the frozen river and cover much more ground than I could by walking or snowshoeing. I skied approximately 15 miles yesterday with my camera gear on my back and look forward to spending more time exploring as the days ahead bring more and more light back to the valley.

Moonlight Skiing on Eagle River

What do you do when the temperature is approaching -15˚F (-26˚C) and the moon is full? Grab your touring skis and explore the frozen river under the bright moonlight! I've been scoping out this location for a while now, just waiting for the right conditions to get out and do some shooting. Directly behind me are Kiliak and Yukla mountains, both peaks reaching more than 7,000 feet. Have a great weekend and get outside, even if it's a bit chilly!

Colin