About
Summitblog is a photos, resources, and a combination of informative and reflective writing related to hiking and photography in New Hampshire. I have a obsession for discovering the more rugged side of New Hampshire’s beauty, and I have a passion for capturing what I find.
Feel free to lurk, wander, and expore Summitblog; along with the blog entries, you’ll find helpful gear information in terms of both hiking and photography. Don’t forget to visit Summit Photo of NH’s website as well, and always feel free to contact me if you have a question related to hiking and/or photography; I’m happy to offer my insights!
And now, my Bio! …
Matt Stearns is a freelance outdoor photographer whose focus is on capturing the unique beauty of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, often times from desolate and hard to reach vantage points. Matt spent his childhood in Canaan, just a few miles from where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Old Grafton Turnpike. During that time, Matt adventured on local peaks like Cardigan and Holt’s Ledges, and eventually became an avid all-seasons hiker. As a result, he forged a deep connection to the landscape and the culture of the Granite State. His love of the Mountains began with the simple departure from life’s comfortable spaces, and along the way he stumbled upon incredible sights, memorable experiences, and powerful lessons; all tucked away in beautiful, yet unforgiving environments. Matt’s photography of the great hills of New Hampshire is inspired by the bond he feels to the landscape through his many years of hiking.
Matt has reached the summit of each of New Hampshire’s 48 four-thousand footers, many of them more than once and in more than one season. In 2010, Matt also became one of the few and the proud to have hiked the arduous Pemi Loop in one day. Starting at 2 o’clock a.m. and ending 15 hours later, Matt completed the 31.5 mile loop as a solo journey. Matt has also climbed Mount Washington more than 50 times, and in a wide range of conditions. Matt is well known for hiking New Hampshire’s most challenging peaks by way of headlamp in order to experience and photograph New Hampshire’s White Mountains in their most spectacular light.
Matt’s collection of images is focused solely on New Hampshire Landscapes. His work includes New Hampshire Greatscapes, a collection of carefully executed photos of New Hampshire’s grand mountain peaks. His New Hampshire Details gallery includes the finer aspects found among the grand peaks, such as wildflowers and ice formations. Finally, his collection of New Hampshire Water & Falls includes stunning imagery of New Hampshire’s picturesque rivers, streams, lakes and waterfalls. While working on capturing New Hampshire’s landscape, Matt also became a well-liked wedding and portrait photographer. He has even dabbled in product photography for local companies.
Matt holds a degree in Anthropology from the University of New Hampshire (magna cum laude). Through his studies, Matt built upon his intrigue for people and their relationships to their surroundings. Matt also holds certification in Wilderness First Aid through the SOLO School in Conway, NH. He volunteers for the Mount Washington Observatory, and is a member of the board of directors for the Kismet Rock Foundation. He and his wife, Holly, live in East Wakefield with their son, Carter, and their two dogs, Nola and CJ.
