Celestial
Laguna Cullicocha and Santa Cruz peaks on a clear evening reveals celestial bodies so overwhelming, it almost brings you to tears. You began to let your mind wander about life out there and how insignificant and incredible the universe is. It's impossible to ignore.
Alpamayo
Alpmayo's famed pyramid. One of the more beautiful mountain peaks in the world.
Alpamayocordillera blancamountainsandespyramidcordilleraancashperu
Cullicocha Reflections.
eflections...The more time I travel, the less I realize I need. Community, connection, culture, presence...oh and my mountain bike and cameras :). I can't comprehend why so many of us in the west or 'modern' world exhaust our resources at an alarming rate and often suffer from insatiable appetites to collect and consume. The traditional American Dream, in my humble opinion is a cancer to our planet. We cannot keep on like this. We would need 6 more earth's to adequately provide if everyone was to live like we do in the states. We have so much to learn from those who live one with the land and each other. Honestly, I get a bit frustrated with our overall lifestyle in the ‘west.’ We are selfish and complain too much. We frequently brag about all that we have individually accomplished and don’t celebrate solidarity and the power and success that stems from it. In the Andes, Ayllu (community) and Ayni (reciprocity) are fundamental to existence. There is no me, me me...the power resides in we. Duality and a harmonious balance between masculine and feminine energy is necessary for survival and prosperity. You look after the person next to you first. You acknowledge that we need nature more than it needs us. It's simple really. When we go to the grave, it's our experiences and connections with ourselves, each other and the earth that will be our indelible footprint and legacy that carries on.
Photography has been a wonderful tool for me to contemplate these things. My camera is my heart. It beats with my soul and is set afire in these quiet moments in the mountains to have this sort of introspection. Sunset over Santa Cruz and Laguna Cullicocha in the Cordillera Blanca. Cheers to you Andes for always opening up your beautiful soul to me and making me feel right at home and infinitely teaching me about life.
Alpenglow
My favorite photo from our two weeks spent in the Cordillera Blanca. My good friend and local guide Lucio and I hiked up from Cedros Valley before sunset, so I could try and get some shots of the famed Alpamayo. Clouds lingered, obscuring a significant part of the pyramid, so I turned my attention, eyes and camera on the nearby glaciers above as alpenglow danced across thick snow and ice rendering it a ethereal pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. As I clicked the shutter, Lucio turned to view the image on my camera LCD screen and gasped, "Awowwwww". Esta es buenisimo! Mi Favorito! Mi corazon! Qué pasión tenemos para las montañas!" To share a sunset with a dear friend who has spent over 30 years working in the region, and for him to get as excited as the he surely was the first time had me smiling smile ear to ear and filling overloaded with gratitude. It was a special moment. I gave him a big hug , genuinely thanked him for joining me on a little excursion that I usually take in solo, and we headed down to the tents for dinner.
The Routes of Man
The routes of man. Notice the passenger vehicle on the left for perspective. Huascaran, Peru's highest peak looms behind. Amazing to think how much work goes into construction of something like this. This road changes communities. It provides access. It changes lives in complex ways.
Deep Blue Cullicocha
The stunning alpine Cullicocha sitting beneath the mighty Santa Cruz Masiff
cullicochaperusouth americaandesmountainslagunalakelandscapeperuvian andesancashreflection
Reflection Perfection
Sometimes small ponds reflect grand scenes, if you just take the time to slow down and appreciate them.
Mountain Top Brushstrokes
Painting with light. Nobody does it better than Pachamama.
Stairway to Heaven
This might just actually be the stairway to heaven. Cue Led Zeppelin. Cordillera Blanca, Peru.
Hualcayan
The community of Hualcayan situated high above the valley that separates the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra
Stream of Orange
Dramatic light at sunset beneath Alpamayo.
Feel The World.
Landscape photography for me isn't merely seeing the world. It's feeling it with all of our senses. Pausing and forgetting the struggles for a few, recharging and have indelible gratitude for the beauty we are presented with daily if only we pay attention. Gratitude. Pass it on.
This photo was taking in the Cordillera Blanca from 15,000 ft looking across to the Cordillera Negra at sunset with the moon rising.
Impossibly Blue
Impossibly blue. Some places are so beautiful you stand there for an hour and get lost within. Laguna Jancarurish . Cordillera Blanca, Peru.
Vaqueria
Stunning colors and juxtapositions at the last camp before exiting the Cordillera Blanca. A welcoming lush environment after being in the higher reaches of the Andes
vaqueriaperucordillera blancasouth americalandsacpesheepmountainsflowersancash
Layered Blue's
Layered blues with a sprinkling of golden and white hues. In tune.
Those magic ethereal moments. Laguna Cullicocha.
Blanca Panorama
An incredible panorama high in the Cordillera Blanca that leaves you in awe.
perucordillera blancaalpamayopanoramalandscapenatureandesperuvian andeslakealpineglacieralpine lake
Camp Sunset
Camp overlooking the Cordillera Negra on the other side of the valley
cordillera negracordillera blancaperusouth americacampcampsitesunset
Burro Team
The MVP's of any mountain expedition. The burros and horses carry much of our heavy gear.
Painting With Light
Having some fun with long exposures painting with light in the Cordillera Blanca. Sandy did a great job spelling Peru only using a headlamp and the blank air canvas.
light paintingperucordillera blancasouth americaandespainting with light
Llanganuco
Stunning colors of Laguna Llanganuco and the incredibly beautiful high altitude polyepis trees.
polylepisllanganucolakeandescordillera blancaperualpine lakelandscapenature
Afternoon Match
Members of the small community of Hualcayan play an evening match of football. Anywhere you go in Peru, you'll find a field and game. It's the universal language and most popular sport in Peru.
andesperufutbolsoccergamesoccer fieldhualcayancordillera blancasoccer matchfootball
Creamsicle Layered Sunset
Grazing Reflections
Kitchen Under the Stars
Shallows
Dimas
Dimas is a local farmer in the Cordillera Blanca. Each time we pass through his area, he brings us fresh potatoes from his fields to cook up for our clients and ourselves. We always invite him to our kitchen tent to enjoy a meal with us too.
Rock Kitchen
Hondoy
Pink Sherbet
Fleeting and stunning pink alpenglow glides across the glaciers of Alpamayo. Almost looks like a pink sherbet.
Condor!
Condor! We shout as we direct our eyes to the skies in awe of this magnificent bird. Entranced our heads swivel as if we are undergoing an eye exam admiring it effortlessly rides the thermals gliding through the glaciated peaks and rocky cliffs scavenging for carrion. Due to the sheer size and energy required for flight, it relies on these thermals and may only need to flap its wings once every hour. It's the largest flying bird on earth with a wingspan nearing 11 feet. It's one of the most sacred animals in the Andes, and if you are ever fortunate enough to see one, you will see why. Considered a symbol of power and health, in Inca cosmology the bird represents the upper world (Hanan Pacha). The Inca believed the condor brought the sun up every day. It's an animal worth protecting. (Shot taken from the Cedros Valley in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru).
Once The Queen
A dead Puya tree has turned yellow years after its death. The Puya tree is considered the Queen of the Andes and largest bromeliad.
Escaping to Reality
Escaping into reality. If you ever want to find me, come chase sunsets in quiet spaces. Pachamama painting with panache and brushstrokes of beauty. What a wonderful palette. Dynamic and uncontrollable, you can only watch in awe. A daily opportunity given free admission to recharge and reset Sunset over the Cordillera Negra, Peru.
Pink
Pink sunset as seen from Huaraz, Peru
Lines, Color and Mountains...Ohh My.
Lines, color and mountains...oh my. Laguna Jancarurish, Cordillera Blanca.
