Canon 5DMKIII, 24-70mmL @ f/16, 1.3 seconds, 100 ISO, Singh-Ray LB Polarizer.

I’ve just returned from two weeks of teaching workshops in the amazing state of Utah. It all started with six days at Arches/Canyonlands National Parks, then resumed with another workshop at Bryce/Zion National Parks. Finally, I spent my last two days in Zion photographing the famed Narrows and Subway with friends Tracy Anderson and Jill Matyuch. Today’s blog centers on an image I tried capturing two years ago (albeit in the spring) with another friend, Pierre Steenberg. I knew back then that water levels of the famed “Crack” would be too high, but it was more of a quest to just see the area where so many captivating images had been taken. If you look closely at the dark sections of the Kayenta Shale, the harmless appearance is actually a very slippery moss. I found out the hard way as I lost my footing back then and slid precariously close to a ledge about 100 feet below this image. Fortunately I stopped before what could have been a disaster.

Fast forward to a couple days ago when my friends and I finally reached this area (located above Arch Angel Falls), and my “bad experience” raced back through my mind and got my adrenaline pumping. Having injured my ankle 13 days prior in Canyonlands while walking to Mesa Arch in the dark, I moved with extreme caution. Fortunately we had this area to ourselves and I was first to set my tripod. This composition is by no means unique; in fact, there is probably not a composition out there that is, though some photographers would like you the think so, thus I went with what pleased me. During the fall season, North Creek funnels through this fissure in the Shale that is about 6 inches wide. We were in the height of Zion’s fall color season and thus had some vibrant aspen and maple leaves resting on the Shale.

I really had this composition in mind prior to arriving. If I would have been by myself, I would have tried more, but there were three of us and we wanted to get to the famed Subway before the throngs of photographers hiking up behind us got there – so time was of the essence. In reality, this scene is all about symmetry. About the only time I think symmetrical is when I am photographing water reflections. Yet, for this scene, I thought two equal halves would be far more aesthetically pleasing. The definition of symmetry is “patterned self-similarity.” The leaves also add a sense of scale that otherwise would not be present. This was my thought two years ago before I took my slippery ride down the Shale. In retrospect, the water levels were too high back then to fully reveal the beauty of the crack, so I was glad to be back for another try. As you can see here, the water level was perfect.

My two friends almost met with disaster as both unexpectedly found just enough of the slippery moss to send one of their legs dangerously into the awaiting crack (it happens quickly and without warning – suddenly your footing goes). Thank goodness neither was hurt. The consequences of getting an injured hiker out of North Creek Canyon are daunting to say the least. It took us 3 hours of hard hiking to reach this location and cell phones are useless. I had done my homework on making this hike and all my readings were peppered by warnings that many hikers had met with broken bones, twisted ankles and so on. Some actually make it to the Subway in 2 1/2 hours, but we took planned rest stops as a precaution and to give both my ankle and Tracy’s knee a respite. Coming down was even a bit longer as Tracy’s knee really started to hamper her, but she persevered and we made it out of the canyon with time to spare.

Here is my image of The Subway from the spring of 2010. You can see how high the water level was back then and why each step was one away from impending disaster.

Canon 1DMKIII, 16-35mmL @ f/16, 3.2 second timed-exposure, 100 ISO, Singh-Ray slim polarizer.

It is really quite an accomplishment for most to make this hike. It is rated as “strenuous” by most guide books and one really should be in excellent physical shape before attempting it. The rewards are great as Arch Angel Falls, The Cascades, The Crack, and The Subway await. I know by next fall, the memories of my ankle pain will be a distant memory and I will probably give this hike another go with other compositions still rambling through my mind. If you go, remember to be cautious, especially around “the Crack.” Don’t be the next victim of the underlying moss!

2013 Photo Workshops

4th Annual Magic Light, Moonlight, and Pfeiffer Arch Workshop – Winter in Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula – January 26-29, 2013

5th Annual Northern Arizona Workshop – Grand Canyon (full moon), Page (Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon) and Sedona – March 25-29, 2013

6th Annual Springtime in Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula – Wildflowers, Misty Fog and Headland Color – May 6-9, 2013

4th Annual Kauai Workshop – Garden Isle and Tropical Paradise – June 21-25, 2013

2nd Annual Fall Color in Grand Teton National Park – September 28 – October 2, 2013

 Software Discounts

Photomatix Pro 4.2 type in code at checkout: donsmithphotography 15% discount
Nik Software type in code at checkout: DSMITH 15% discount
Topaz Software type in code at checkout: SMITHPHOTO 10% disount