Some cool oregon backpacking images:
Oregon – Thor’s Well – Behind The Scenes
Image by Jeff Krause Photography
I’ll start my photo set from the Oregon trip with a behind the scenes shot from the first night. We heard the best shots of Thor’s Well are when it’s high tide and at sunset. That happened to be the first night of the trip. So fresh from an 8hr trip across country and 3hr drive to the coast we donned our waders and headed for the rocky perch above Thor’s Well. I didn’t have any idea what to expect for high tide but I knew we might get wet.
I did get a shot of Thor’s Well, but my camera didn’t come away dry and undamaged. While taking a break from the splash zone, my camera got dunked in the tidal pool. However, I wasn’t alone in getting water damage during this adventure. Some are calling Thor’s Well “The Money Pit”. Still I think it was a great experience and I would recommend the location with the following tips. Leave your backpack on the shore (above the high tide mark). Wear waterproof jacket, boots and waders (you will get wet). Be prepared to risk everything being lost if only to save your life.
The rocky perch above the Well is within the splash zone. Waves can knock you off the perch unexpectedly. There’s no where to hide your camera from the splash. My technique was to grab the camera to my chest and turned around to let the wave splash on my back. Others tried standing firm and holding their camera high by it’s tripod legs. Neither technique was completely successful in keeping the camera dry. Ultimately I think it was worth the risk. I mean, just look at that sunset! 🙂 How could you resist?
Weisendanger Falls – Height 55′ – Elevation 950′
Image by Ian Sane
Many of us can think back with fond memories of family rituals that are dear. For us hiking in the Columbia River Gorge was a yearly event that would take place just before the start of the school year. I would spend an entire day with our daughters, one child at a time to make the occasion more personal, climbing Larch Mountain Trail #441. Over the years there have been countless hikers who have made the one mile trek to the top of Multnomah Falls but we would go beyond that level, sometimes to the very end where the trail concludes at Sherrard Point on Larch Mountain at an elevation gain of 4,010 feet and making it a 14.4 mile round trip.
Some Oregonians might remember the story of the infamous wedding party that was taking part in a photo shoot while standing on the Benson Bridge. A boulder the size of a bus fell out of the side of Multnomah Falls spraying the entire group with water and shards of rocks when it struck the bottom. A couple of people had to be taken to the hospital with minor injuries. That was September 4, 1995. This was the year our beloved hiking ritual commenced. Lacey (my oldest) and I were there on that particular day. In fact, we had just finished hiking and were making our way to the car just as the wedding party arrived to conduct their photo shoot. It wasn’t until the evening that we heard what had happened on the news.
With that in mind I would like to share this picture. It is Weisendanger Falls which is about a half mile (I’m guessing) above the upper viewpoint of Multnomah Falls. If you ever feel energetic enough to hike above and beyond the Multnomah Falls upper viewpoint you will see even more beautiful water falls, both large and small. The picture of Multnomah Creek with the stone bridge I shared yesterday is also just above the top. Plus, you’ll burn several calories because this hike is considered “strenuous” or “difficult” by numerous hiking books and websites. It’s a real killer! Especially if you’re carrying a tripod and a backpack loaded with camera gear. =)
Burnt Lake Vista
Image by Tee Sam
Southish of Mount Hood. I didn’t get lost this time. Must’ve had something to do with 65 pounds of gear on my back… You start thinking REALLY hard about how much alcohol weighs, and don’t bring any…
Although a six pack of beer would weigh less than my camera gear…Hrmmm..