Dusted Granite

Soldier Lake, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

At twelve thousand feet the weather can change fast, and it did during an autumn attempt to summit the highest peak in the contiguous United States; Mount Whitney. A hike on a blue sky day turned cold when a storm dusted the Sierra Crest. Photographed during a break in the storm, winds whipped the snow in to small clouds above the tree line. The storm worsened, with lightning, hail, rain and snow coming in waves, all while the golden glow of sunset struck a far off mountain.

On summit day I awoke to much snow and decided that the fabled zig-zagging switchbacks known as the ‘99s’ would be ice covered. Although I was properly equipped with ice axe and crampons, I would have to wait for better weather. Taking the shortest path back to base camp, I hiked the Pacific Crest trail in two feet of snow for two clear and sunny days.