Grand Canyon, North Rim to the Colorado River, May, 2006January 31

On this trip I was helping instruct and guide fourteen students. My son, Jason and two other Solid Rock instructors had the greater responsibility, so I had the luxury of getting in some pasteling in this amazing and colorful country.

This first pastel was done as we were first descending off the rim. I worked on it about 45 minutes but had no trouble catching up as this group was painfully slow.

This is the photo:

 

Grand Canyon

This is the pastel:

The first campsite had great views:

IMG_5969

And of course there was music:

IMG_6024 

1800 feet down from the rim we came across Thunder Falls, the first water we had seen.

It came gushing out, a full blown river, from the base of a 1000 foot cliff of red sandstone.

DSCN0390

It runs into Tepeetsee River

one of the best trout fisheries in the state,

shown here in the photo:

 DSCN0379

And in the pastel:

The Colorado River was a highlight, not just for swimming:

DSCN0349

But for a fine pastel:

Stream crossing on the way back up, Jason riding herd.

DSCN0384 

Joshua, one of the instructors  had time to practice his air guitar while waiting for the troops to make it up the trail.

  DSCN0386

They made it eventually…

DSCN0301

Shade was a real premium. We hiked early morning and evening and would rest at noon.

The guy in the middle hadn’t read the course description. He assumed we were going to drive everyday to scenic spots, then return at night to sleep in a nice hotel in Las Vegas. He managed to adjust…

DSCN0339

This guy was hanging around Thunder Falls.

DSCN0392

Managed to sneak in some climbing at Red Rocks

DSCN0274

And near Moab.

IMG_6090

It was nice to do a trip where the problem was heat rather than cold.  Very comfortable sketching conditions. Would like to go back with Alison and concentrate on the painting part. Even so, I did get seven pastels done. All in all a fabulous trip!

Bugaboos, Canada, August 2008January 22

Drove up to Banff from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Stopped in Glacier National Park for some plein air painting and a trip up Mt. Reynolds. Fabulous views.DSCN2280

The evidence of the glaciers having been there is exciting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But in Canada the glaciers are still there.

DSC00437

Also the rock is granite, very steep, very picturesque and a wonderland of climbing.

DSC00521

An international community of climbers comes to the "Bugs", many of them staying here at the Canadian Alpine Club hut.

It’s quite plush: kitchen with all the cookware and utensils, sinks, bunkbeds, electric heat and outdoor privy. The only thing lacking was a shower.

 DSC00448

This Snowpatch Spire was one of my favorite climbs.

You can see it behind this french climber.

DSCN2420

 

My climbing partner Kent Marshall is busting some moves on Snowpatch…

DSCN2390 

Pigeon Spire. Another classic.

DSCN2360

The best was saved for last: Northeast Ridge of Bugaboo Spire. It’s listed in the Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.

DSC00525

DSC00526

This 16 x 24 inch pastel is of the view on the ‘Kain Route’ of Bugaboo Spire. There are more pastels to come.

18. View form Bugaboo Spire

We’ll be back….

DSCN2308