Snow Ghosts

Whitefish Mountain, Montana. 2020

Beginning in the dark, cold and chilled to the bone, I strapped on my split board and skins, put my gloved hands through the trekking pole loops and began my 2-mile and 2,000 vertical feet approach to the summit of Whitefish Mountain summit. Just before reaching the summit, as blue hour began, I saw these snow-ghosted trees on a distant hill-side. I set up my tripod, got out my camera and began photographing. Keep in mind, it was about 0 degrees Fahrenheit. With a sustained 5-10 mph wind. It was cold! I could only sustain this for 10 minutes then I had to get moving to warm up again. This was a beautiful scene and one I remember very well. I remember the sound of the snow, the grueling and sweaty haul up to the summit, this being the first time actually using my split board for its true purpose. Which added to the struggle of that kind of elevation gain. But I cherish that moment whenever I review these images.