Summit Blog

Waterfall Season in New Hampshire

by Matt Posted on May 10, 2012

If waterfalls are a source of joy for you, New Hampshire isn’t a bad place to be during the months of May through October. While some would argue that the most dramatic and commanding waterfalls are found in other parts of the country, New Hampshire offers a unique collection all its own. They also offer unique challenges in the way of getting to and properly capturing the falls. Waterfall season is practically here upon us in the Granite State, and for the next few weeks I’ll be providing you with a small helping of what you might want, or need, to know.

It is estimated that there are over seventy significant waterfalls in New Hampshire, each bringing their own unique orientation, character, style, and voice. What makes New Hampshire’s collection special is that they tend to be tucked into the mountains and require a bit of hiking in order to reach. They’re also characterized by their juxtaposition of green foliage against rocky granite. Some falls in the collection appear quite wild, if you will, since they’re subject to brutal winters and other occasions of harsh weather. This can present a challenge to the photographer who wishes to show tranquility and calm through her waterfall photographs.

I remember my first waterfall season as a serious photographer. Looking at my list of New Hampshire waterfalls I recall thinking to myself, I could capture all of them this year if I just put some time and effort in. But each one has its own challenges, and by and large not every day is a perfect day for shooting waterfalls. Each artist will find that it takes work to get their own preferred angle, light, and conditions in order to best interpret each set of waterfalls.

Fall of Song - Moultonborough New Hampshire

A playbook of tips and methods are out there in print and on the web which cover “how” to shoot a waterfall. In the upcoming weeks, my New Hampshire landscape photography blog will cover some of my techniques, as well as timing, equipment, locations, stories, and more. Subscribing through your favorite feed reader will make it easy to keep up, but don’t forget that I’m active on Facebook and Twitter as well. As prime waterfall shooting season settles in, I hope to help you hone your technique and find a few waterfalls that really speak to you.

Swing by again soon for more on New Hampshire’s incredible waterfalls and this exciting season. Until then, happy trails and be well!

Posted in NH Water and Falls, Uncategorized | Tagged brookwalk, Castle in the Clouds, Fall of Song, green, hiking, lakes region, landscape photography, lucknow, matt stearns, matthew stearns, misty, moultonboro, moultonborough, new hampshire, nh, outdoors, photography, plunge, rainy, rocks, rushing, spring, Trail, Water, waterfall, white mounitains | Leave a comment

Tuckerman Ravine: Worth Our Love

by Matt Posted on February 28, 2012

Located on New Hampshire’s famed Mount Washington, Tuckerman Ravine is a unique geological formation, situated in a rather unique place. “Tuck’s”, as it is colloquially referred to, is what is known as a glacial cirque; that is, it has a signature “bowl shape” that was formed by the motions of an alpine glacier left over after the retreat of a larger continental ice sheet. The resulting formation is the present day massive natural amphitheater that in the case of Tuckerman’s, faces due east.

Tuckerman Ravine Alpenglow — Alpine Sunrise Light in Tuckerman Ravine

Summer months see the Ravine transform into a lush, green paradise complete with rare and colorful wildflowers and enormous plunging waterfalls. Tens of thousands of travelers visit the Ravine during the peak hiking season, many of whom are on their way up to the summit of Mount Washington. But during the winter, the Tuckerman Ravine is a barren and frigid wasteland. A reliable wind pulls snow off the summit of Washington and into the Ravine throughout the winter, and snow accumulations bury nearly everything within the cirque. There is a constant possibility of avalanche, and temperatures rarely make it out of the single digits in the dead of winter. Standing upon the floor of the Ravine in the winter, it’s nearly inconceivable that anything could ever grow among such harsh conditions. But it does.

While Tuckerman Ravine gets most of its accolades from its reputation for late-season, no-holds-barred skiing and riding, I am personally drawn here for a different set of reasons. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve done quite a bit of snowboarding in the Ravine (although I’ve never joined the weekend hoopla during late spring, and I’ve never brought a six-pack of beer along for my hike/ride). But by and large, I am drawn to Tuckerman Ravine because of its beauty, and its offerings in the way of science and nature.

The Ravine is quite literally a photographer’s dream. There are artistic temptations all the way up the 3.1 mile trail to the floor of the Ravine, from Trout Lilies and the Crystal Cascade during the summer to snowy boulders along the Cutler River in the winter. There are all kinds of places to photograph the Ravine from without having to hike into the Ravine itself, too (although each worth-while vantage point presents its own challenges in reaching). I’ve had great luck from a variety of locations like Boott Spur and Wildcat Mountain. However, undertaking the hike into the Ravine affords an abundance of subject matter. During late June and early July, Mountain Avens and Rhodora (among other wildflowers) will lend their colorful accents to the thickets, and the waterfalls in the bowl are breathtaking in their loftiness. Add some early or late day magic to the equation and the photographs help to further transcend Tuckerman beyond its ski-party image (keep in mind, I don’t disapprove of responsible outdoor recreation). Tuck’s the kind of place that has appeal from so many angles that as a photographer, it presents a classic dilemma of wanting to be in two or three places at once.

Tuckerman Ravine — Tuckerman in Transition

What the Ravine gives us in the way of science is not only a glimpse into the past, but hope for great things in the future. We can discover the past by studying the geology and the natural communities in Alpine areas such as this. While much has already been uncovered, there are still yet a plethora of unturned stones, so to speak. As far as the future goes, it is in the best interest of all for Tuckerman Ravine to be rich with biodiversity. Biodiversity is an important tenet in both the survival of natural communities, and the derivation of their benefits. So as I sit here and write this piece, of course there is a big part of me that wants my children to grow up in a world where Tuckerman Ravine is resonant, healthy and rich; but it’s more than that. Places like Tuck’s may very well hold treasures that are indispensable. For example, it is widely believed that critical keys to the fight against such scourges as cancer and AIDS reside right under our noses, in the natural world. Human impacts will limit, or worse, eliminate these possibilities. Furthermore, I simply believe that a diverse planet is a healthy one, and isn’t that fairly important in and of itself? It is my hope that by first being a kind a caring steward myself, and next being an artist, I can make the case to a few more people that places like Tuckerman Ravine demand our care, our respect, and our love.

Hiking Tuckerman — Summer Hikers Converging on Tuckerman Ravine

For more information about the efforts to protect and preserve this incredible and unique piece of New Hampshire, visit the Friends of Tuckerman website .

For information about the changing winter conditions (particularly avalanche danger), visit the Mount Washington Avalanche Bulletin page.

Tuckerman Sunset — Autumn Sunset Behind Tuckerman Ravine (left)

My most sincere thanks to you for stopping by my New Hampshire Landscape Photography blog; take good care, and spread the good word about the good Ravine, if you will!

Posted in NH Greatscapes | Tagged alpine ravine shrub thicket, alpine zone, biodiversity, fall, guided hiking, hiking, matt stearns, matthew stearns, mount washington, mountain avens, natural communities, nh, nh landscape photography, photo workshops, photography, snowboarding, spring, spring skiing, summer, summit photo nh, sunrise, Sunset, tuckerman ravine, Winter | 1 Comment

Best Images of 2011

by Matt Posted on January 27, 2012

Photography in the White Mountains is nothing short of incredible. While it may lack the authority and prestige of places like Yellowstone, I have found it to be the perfect place to connect with nature, with one’s inner artist and with a child-like sense of adventure; all at once. As a life-long Granite Stater, my connection to White Mountains is stark, and my memory is filled with scenes of hiking through deep woods and scaling ledges of granite. As a photographer, I am quite fortunate to be engaged in the creation of an enhanced record of those memories. With regard those meaningful recollections, I’ve decided to start an annual tradition where I look back on the year in hiking and in photography.

First, a short compendium of the year. 2011 started off normally enough with deep cold (I was out in -22 in Jefferson one morning), but seemed to stray off course from the normal weather patterns as the year went on. By the end of the summer, we faced Tropical Storm Irene which devastated homes, business, and hiking trails. Irene also set the tone for one of the most peculiar fall foliage seasons in recent memory. Autumn never really seemed to find its rhythm in the valleys, and one had to travel to the brutal Alpine Tundras to find deep colour. Soon after, winter made cameo appearances the day before Halloween and the day before Thanksgiving, each time dumping well over a foot of snow in some areas. After that, winter never seemed to completely show up in normal fashion. 2011 ended much drier than anyone could have expected, and stick-season (a term we photographers use to refer to the in-between seasons) seemed to never go away.

Despite the challenges there were pockets of brilliance that I was fortunate to be witness to. To that end, I’ve picked my ~~ten~~ eleven best photographs from the year to share with you one last time as we say hello to 2012!

Winters Dusk on Washington — Winter's Dusk on Washington

Cloudland Before Irene — Cloudland: Before Irene

Beyond a doubt, in photography (as with other aspects of life) it is an important and useful exercise to reflect back every now and then. Picking the best landscape photographs from the past year’s collection helps photographers to allow for the necessary time to feel good about their efforts and their results. This can then help to establish a baseline for the new year, and for new goals. I look forward to sharing more images and experiences with you as we dive right in to 2012.

Take care.

Posted in NH Greatscapes, NH Water and Falls, Uncategorized | Tagged Alpenglow, blog, chocorua, facebook, fall, franconia ridge, Glen Ellis Falls, hiking, hurricane Irene, landscape photographer, little haystack, matt stearns, mount washington, new england, new hampshire, outdoor photography, pinkham notch, ripley falls, summit, sunrise, Sunset, Thompson Falls, tuckerman ravine, twitter, Waterfalls, white mountains, Winter | 1 Comment

2011 Resolutions | Hiking & Photography

by Matt Posted on January 4, 2012

At the stroke of midnight on January first, photographers and hikers alike found themselves visualizing their New Year commitments, resolutely along with millions of others. Most will resolve to lose weight or to quit a bad habit. Others will swear off the ritual all together, and truth be told this is the path I normally take. This year, however, after a lot of thought I’ve decided to join the masses and make a few resolutions related to my inner hiker and photographer. And since research tells us that one of the best ways to keep true a resolution is to share it with others, here my five commitments for 2012 in no particular order:

Hike More, Hike Better, Hike Different:

At the conclusion of 2011, I didn’t feel as though I hiked enough. But then again, I suppose I’ll never feel as though I’ve hiked enough. So plain and simple, I need to hike more. Likewise, I was a tad slower this year than I have been in years past. Hiking less meant that I filled my time with other activities that are less physical in nature than hiking, so I lost a little bit of the pep in my step. So I feel I could stand to hike a little better. I also found myself visiting a lot of “old friends”, as I call them; places that I’ve to been many times before but find myself returning to for their photographic appeal and epic mountain character. While this is not a foul by any means, it is a boundary that could hold my horizons static, and stifle my exploration of new and enchanting places. As I often tell people, New Hampshire is full of surprises and places worth discovering firsthand. This year, I plan to adopt a Red-Liner’s Philosophy to hiking, meaning that I’ll open up to exploring every mile of every trail without exception. More, better, different.

Study and Read the Work of More Photographers & Writers:

Although I thrive behind the camera, I simply haven’t taken enough time to study the work of other artists. Along those same lines, I write avidly and intently, but I would not consider myself well read. By and large, I am an evolving artist like all other artists, and studying the work of others is a fantastic way to grow one’s own craft. There is an expanding body of knowledge out there for me, and with the ubiquity technology it’s right at my fingertips. I’m starting to crave it, and this year I will seek it out.

Add More Human Elements to My Photographs:

Very few of my photographs include humans, which is not necessarily a bad thing. New Hampshire’s landscapes can do a lot of the speaking for themselves in a photograph. However, some photographs lend themselves well to having human guests. Whether it is to show movement, struggle, or scale, the human element could bare to find its way into a few more of my photographs. I plan to do this more throughout the year.

Experiment With Abstracts:

Otherwise known as painting with the camera, there are delightful ways to create photographs that resemble abstract works. This is done by finding very small subject matter that appear painterly when shot with a macro lens. Abstracts can also be created by moving the camera, finding subjects in motion, and playing with the shutter speed. Each of the four seasons presents opportunities for abstracts, and I’m making it a point to look more closely for those chances.

Complete the Presidential Traverse in One Day:

This one speaks mostly for itself, and requires very little explanation. I bagged the Pemi Loop in 2010, and it’s time for another Death March. The Presi Travers, as it’s known colloquially, consists of over 25 miles of one way hiking that brings travelers over each of the mountains in the Presidential Range. In one day. It’s a grueling trek, and one that can be quite dangerous in the winter. My plan is to aim for a winter pass, and if I can’t do it by the last day of winter in 2012, I’ll shoot for the first days in December later in the year. By and large, the Mountains make the call on whether or not the Presi Traverse is a success, so one must be utterly cautious with such a goal.

Mount Washington and the Southern Presidentials

Hopefully you’ve made a few resolutions connected to the things that are important in your life. And if you haven’t, perhaps you’ve found this list useful or motivating. No matter what, remember to stay well and take full advantage of all the natural magnificence that New Hampshire has to offer. Take care, and thanks for stopping by my New Hampshire landscape photography and hiking blog!