Mt. Rainier Night Summit Bid

[bsimpson]

This picture was taken at Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier the night after our summit. These climbers were headed out about 1am to attempt this glorious mountain.


http://brettsimpson.smugmug.com/photos/610500913_tTnDx-L.jpg

[clarence]

Nice!

This thread caught my eye because I'm also from the Mid-Atlantic region but I'm in the Puget Sound this week and almost drove to Mt Ranier this afternoon. I ended up just going to a MiLB Tacoma Raniers game.

By coincidence, I also have a 1D Mark II... I took some cool shots of the Ranier's pitcher with Mt Ranier in the background, but nowhere near as cool as star trails.

[bsimpson]

where ya at in the Mid-Atlantic?

[namasste]

This picture was taken at Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier the night after our summit. These climbers were headed out about 1am to attempt this glorious mountain.


http://brettsimpson.smugmug.com/photos/610500913_tTnDx-L.jpg
Love this. Brett, what kind of exposure did you use to get the star trails and lights heading all the up? BTW, technically, I guess I'm mid Atlantic as well (NE Ohio).

[bsimpson]

Thanks Scott. I spent about an hour prepping the image, getting it framed, doing some short test exposures and such. I couldn't pre-set up anything due to the business of the area and I spent most of that afternoon sleeping off my own summit climb. I was also carrying just a Gorillapod so had to deal with the winds buffeting the area. I put the gorillapod as flat to the ground as possible and used mirror lock and a remote trigger. The aperture was F4 and the exposure was I think a few seconds short of 40 minutes. ISO100.

[namasste]

Thanks Scott. I spent about an hour prepping the image, getting it framed, doing some short test exposures and such. I couldn't pre-set up anything due to the business of the area and I spent most of that afternoon sleeping off my own summit climb. I was also carrying just a Gorillapod so had to deal with the winds buffeting the area. I put the gorillapod as flat to the ground as possible and used mirror lock and a remote trigger. The aperture was F4 and the exposure was I think a few seconds short of 40 minutes. ISO100.
I hadn't even considered the conditions there. I am sure the winds were fierce. Well done man, really!

[clarence]

...used mirror lock and a remote trigger. The aperture was F4 and the exposure was I think a few seconds short of 40 minutes. ISO100.

Wow, 40 minutes.

MLU and remote trigger aren't as critical with superlong exposures though, right?

Did you use any special in-camera NR settings?

[bsimpson]

good question, I feel like to get the extra crisp shots that mlu and remote are critical. Now the 30D does have a self-timer but I prefer the remote. I did let it do basic in camera noise reduction. This camera has had little post work done. Still trying to decide how I want the final edit to look. Have several version in lightroom pending.

[Dan-o]

Very cool Brett.

[bsimpson]

Thanks! much appreciated.

[clarence]

good question, I feel like to get the extra crisp shots that mlu and remote are critical. Now the 30D does have a self-timer but I prefer the remote. I did let it do basic in camera noise reduction.

I appreciate the insight... I agree that if you're going to take the time to set up the shot and wait for the exposure, then the small amount of extra effort for MLU and remote are worth it.

Did you take the 30D over the 1D2 to lighten your pack load? Or because it's less of a loss if an event on the climb turns rough? Or do you prefer it for long exposures?

[Rimwalker]

This is a really fantastic photo, great idea and execution.

[mikeb540]

outstandingbw! well done
mike

[bsimpson]

I appreciate the insight... I agree that if you're going to take the time to set up the shot and wait for the exposure, then the small amount of extra effort for MLU and remote are worth it.

Did you take the 30D over the 1D2 to lighten your pack load? Or because it's less of a loss if an event on the climb turns rough? Or do you prefer it for long exposures?

Whenever I get to longer exposures I try and switch to MLU. I often forget the next morning and takes me a second to figure out what is going on with my camera.

As for the 30D vs 1D2 question, it's rather complicated but I'll attempt to explain. There's a lot of variables involved. The first piece is the nature of the trip and the number of people with me. I was making sure many other people were safe on my team so less time for camera gear. Plus already carrying extra group gear. Generally I somewhat consider my 30D my sacrificial camera based on it's cost. I generally also strip the grip and go as compact as possible. My tougher debate is often on which lenses to carry. I want to carry my nicer stuff but the weight sometimes bogs me down. I usually lay out all my camping/climbing gear, then my ideal camera setup, then slowly pare down to what I'm willing to accept.

Here's what I carried on this trip:

G9 - for summit trip (camp muir to top)
30D - for rest of trip and Paradise to Camp Muir.
Tamron 28-300 with uv filter and polarizer
Canon 10-22 with UV filter and Polarizer
580 EXII
Cactus Trigger Transmitter and Receiver
Camera Remote
1 spare set of batteries for flash
spare 30D battery
~8 gigs of CF Cards
Joby Gorillapod SLR

In the vehicle I also had:
more batteries
chargers
more CF Cards
Epson p-3000


I'm soon selling the 30D and going to a 5D or 50D, can't decide. That will then warrant the new lens lineup. 10-22 might go for the 17-40 if I go 5D. Otherwise the 28-300 will go for the new 18-270 or something similar. Also, soon adding a 24-70 or 24-105 (can't decide there either).

Sorry for the long response, but that is where my mind goes with this.

[clarence]

Nice!

This thread caught my eye because I'm also from the Mid-Atlantic region but I'm in the Puget Sound this week and almost drove to Mt Ranier this afternoon. I ended up just going to a MiLB Tacoma Raniers game.

By coincidence, I also have a 1D Mark II... I took some cool shots of the Ranier's pitcher with Mt Ranier in the background, but nowhere near as cool as star trails.

where ya at in the Mid-Atlantic?

Northern VA... west of Dulles.

Here are my Mt Rainier shots from the Tacoma game. I need to see if I can increase the contrast of the mountain in the background, but I'm only on my 7" netbook, so I can't really see much or edit... Maybe if I zoom in I can find your climbing party :D

[bsimpson]

If only we were hardcore enough to climb that face. Over there are routes like Liberty Ride. We were on disappointment cleaver on the other side. Fun pics yuo have though, like the second.

[ChunkyDA]

Beautiful picture, perhaps you should post it in the Astronomy forum here as well.

[bsimpson]

Beautiful picture, perhaps you should post it in the Astronomy forum here as well.

thanks, according to the forum rules though you shouldn't post same pic in multiple forums. I had a tough time deciding which was the most appropriate place.

[fotoworx]

I like the fist one.

[poppie guy]

Nice shot Brett!

[bsimpson]

Nice shot Brett!

Thank you!

[gruffster]

nice

[Richtherookie]

First congrats on the summit, a dream of mine. second and most important congrats on getting down. That shot has to be the very coolest picture of a mountain i have ever seen. Love that headlamp trail. this rocks. Ok off to your site hoping to see more.

Rats no Rainer photos in site. Hope you plan on posting them. I am hungry for the climb in 2010

[bsimpson]

First congrats on the summit, a dream of mine. second and most important congrats on getting down. That shot has to be the very coolest picture of a mountain i have ever seen. Love that headlamp trail. this rocks. Ok off to your site hoping to see more.

Rats no Rainer photos in site. Hope you plan on posting them. I am hungry for the climb in 2010

Thanks Rich, there's a few Rainier photos but not too many. I might post some more. Most of the summit climb is in the dark so I have very few pics from there. It's a great mountain to check out. If you have interest in gaining more mountaineering or high altitude experience, let me know, I run trips via a university at very reasonable rates.

[WaFp]

very cool shot! well done!

[BeritOlam]

Big props on that shot, Brett. Makes me mad I didn't take time to summit Ranier while I was living up in Vancouver, BC for two years....hah! Having to settle for Whitney down here in Cali just isn't the same! :D :D

[bsimpson]

Rainier is very close to Vancouver, that's for sure. Hopefully you did make it up to Squamish to climb or Whistler to ski though.

I have a place in my heart for the Cascades, since I grew up there. But as a climber, there's something magical about all that granite in the Sierras.

Big props on that shot, Brett. Makes me mad I didn't take time to summit Ranier while I was living up in Vancouver, BC for two years....hah! Having to settle for Whitney down here in Cali just isn't the same! :D :D

[giuseppetornielli]

Great shot, did you use a stacking technique to get that crisp star trail look? If so, how many photos w/ what intervals? Nice work!

[bsimpson]

Thanks Giuseppe. No stacking, just one long exposure. Here's what I typed up in an earlier message for shot info:

"I spent about an hour prepping the image, getting it framed, doing some short test exposures and such. I couldn't pre-set up anything due to the business of the area and I spent most of that afternoon sleeping off my own summit climb. I was also carrying just a Gorillapod so had to deal with the winds buffeting the area. I put the gorillapod as flat to the ground as possible and used mirror lock and a remote trigger. The aperture was F4 and the exposure was I think a few seconds short of 40 minutes. ISO100."

Great shot, did you use a stacking technique to get that crisp star trail look? If so, how many photos w/ what intervals? Nice work!

[giuseppetornielli]

Thanks Giuseppe. No stacking, just one long exposure. Here's what I typed up in an earlier message for shot info:

"I spent about an hour prepping the image, getting it framed, doing some short test exposures and such. I couldn't pre-set up anything due to the business of the area and I spent most of that afternoon sleeping off my own summit climb. I was also carrying just a Gorillapod so had to deal with the winds buffeting the area. I put the gorillapod as flat to the ground as possible and used mirror lock and a remote trigger. The aperture was F4 and the exposure was I think a few seconds short of 40 minutes. ISO100."


oh wow nice outcome...thanks for the info and sharing the photo. I would really like to attempt some celestial shots soon.
Keep up the good work!!

[bps]

Great job -- especially given the conditions!

Bryan

[bsimpson]

Great job -- especially given the conditions!

Bryan

Thanks!

[BeritOlam]

Rainier is very close to Vancouver, that's for sure. Hopefully you did make it up to Squamish to climb or Whistler to ski though.

I have a place in my heart for the Cascades, since I grew up there. But as a climber, there's something magical about all that granite in the Sierras.

Stawamus Chief rocks (;))....though I'm not a particularly *strong* climber...so I did one of the easier 'aid' routes for newbies!! :D :D Didn't have any of my DSLR gear at that time, and I didn't take my AE-1 along. So no cool pictures! :(

I was more of a "Grouse Mtn Grind" kind of guy, since it was so close to the city.

The great thing about Vancouver BC (not WA...those from the area know what I mean! ;)) is that you have quite a bit at your disposal within an hour drive or so...and that doesn't even count Whistler 90 minutes away. Too bad I didnt' get to do more, but I'm satisfied with what I was able to do. I'm only disappointed I didn't get to do the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island....but I have plans to do it before too long!

For week long backpacking (more my kind of thing), you can't do much better than the Sierras in California (my opinion). So many places to explore, all with their own beauty. Yosemite would be awesome....if it didn't attract so many yuppie car campers!!

I want to do the Cascades at some point....as well as some of the Oregon Coast. Decisions, decisions....

[akpfeiff]

Very cool concept--the blown out white area down in the tents kind of steals my eye when I'd rather be focused on the line and the star trails. Nonetheless, very creative and difficult to execute--do you dare burn in or clone over that white area to emphasize the climbing line?

[bsimpson]

I have been playing with some other edits and should post them. A crop out of the bottom also helps. There was someone in the tent area who kept firing their flash. I really wanted them to stop, one or two would be fine but 20 was a bit much. Oh well, that's part of the challenge.

I agree on the dodge there and trying to fade it out, I need to practice that skill more. I would also welcome anyone's ideas on edits or attempts.


Very cool concept--the blown out white area down in the tents kind of steals my eye when I'd rather be focused on the line and the star trails. Nonetheless, very creative and difficult to execute--do you dare burn in or clone over that white area to emphasize the climbing line?