Supermoon, Classic Wall Routes, and Wildlife in Zion and Red Rock.

The time has come for me to dust of the ol' blog and start sharing photos and stories again!  I hope I didn't leave too many folks scratching their heads because of such a long delay since my last post.  Luckily, my days have been filled with the same types of adventures to new places, new routes, new people, photos, and all sorts of adventure and mis-adventure.   I am making a point to update here more often again and don't worry, I'll still have the same type-o's and confusing analogies that got so many people psyched! In short I've been hoarding images and experiences inside my mind and hard drive for some reason that I no longer understand... So, hope you're all open to let the flood gates open again!

The Supermoon photographed November 13th, 2016 just outside Zion. 

The most recent and relevant trip I just took was going to see the Supermoon over Zion with my good adventure bud Andy Reger.  We had been longing for an adventure for some time now, as Andy has been out of commission due to a shoulder injury/surgery.  Originally he was going to just "tag along" as I went to attempt a solo on a wall route.  But soon after we packed our bags and got in the car, the same vibes of our many past adventures caught up with us and it became clear we would rather adventure around Zion as a team.  It certainly felt likeit would be silly for me to enter the world-of-pain that is soloing, when I could just kick it with my friend and enjoy all the beauty that is Zion.  So thats what we did!

Our first night we rushed to our camp spot just outside of the park in hopes of catching the moonrise over the horizon. Unfortunately prior to this we were also quite hungry, which caused a pitstop at Amigo's in Springdale for the "Super Burrito".  We filled our bellies but missed the true moonrise.  Either way the moon greeted us with its wonderfully bright glow as we set up out basic camp for the night.  Soon after I got the camera gear out and was able to start shooting the Supermoon and my Super burrito digested.  Since it was later and higher in the sky it was also starting to get very bright in the lens by this point.  It was a nice surprise for me because it allowed for a faster shutter speed, and lower ISO setting, which meant that there was a possibility of capturing more detail on the moon.  I clicked away, being still and limiting all movements around the camera itself to eliminate vibrations and micro-blurs.  I'm never quite sure what specific images will be the sharpest until I view them at 100% view on a computer, so I just shoot a lot, and focus on using the best practices.  I was pleased with the results! But I am always looking for more detail and clarity in the images.  Perhaps I will rent the Canon 800mm in the future...

Nic Gunter and friend on Pitch 7 of Desert Shield. 

The next day we awoke with a very open schedule.  With no longer a time crunch of having to get up so early to starting soloing a route, my mind was free to enjoy and relax in the surroundings.  We grabbed a coffee and bite to eat, and meandered into Zion and took a quick drive around to see where our energy might take us.  Immediately we had noticed most of the classic trade routes had parties on them.  Touchstone Wall, Prodigal Sun, Desert Shield, Spaceship, Moonlight Buttress all had people on them.  Made sense to us.  The weather was beautiful, the moon would be out, and these routes are mega-classic.  I took the camera out pretty excited to once again see what kind of clarity and detail I could capture, but now of the climbing teams on these routes.  I had never tried to capture climbing with the 400mm lens that I had brought, so it was all new enough and I was pretty sure that in the daylight the challenge would be a little more predictable than at night.  I first aimed my camera up on Desert Shield 5.9 C3.  

Pitch 7 complete. Nic starts to clean the pitch. Desert Shield. 

I captured a team on of two on the headwall pitches.  These are by far the most memorable pitches on the route, and I was having flashbacks of excitement. I later found out that it was a friend up on the wall, so the small world that is climbing just got a little smaller that day! Another team of 3 was starting up the route the same day, but were about a day behind the headwall team. I captured a quick shot of them on Pitch 3 that day.  It was pretty safe to assume they were planning on bivying at the "Jungle Bivy" that night, probably in hopes of watching the moon in the canyon.  The next day before leaving I got another photo of them and their portaledge nearing the top on Pitch 8.  Looked like they had a fun time!

Another team of 3 beings Pitch 3. Desert Shield. November 14, 2016

Team of 3 on the headwall Pitch 8. November 15, 2016. 

We walked around the canyons exploring all sorts of things, but not too long without looking up at the walls.  We pretty much had the best view in the canyon for observing these teams from the ground.   Another route I took a good amount of photos of was Spaceshot 5.9 C2.  This route was in the sun, and at the time I thought that made it a little more easy to photograph and capture the same vibrant red sandstone we are used to seeing.  The team was moving a little slow but this is not uncommon for the route, and this team was also linking pitches which would help the pace in the end.  We imagined they were aiming to get to the Earth Orbit Ledge and bivy there to once again watch the moonrise in the canyon. Would be a blast! 

Team on Pitch 4 or 5 of Spaceshot. November 14, 2016

Adding some color to the shot... Spaceshot. November 14, 2016

Team on Pitch 6 on Prodigal Sun. November 14, 2016.

Lastly to share is just one images of a team on Prodigal Sun 5.7 C2 up the Angles Landing Wall.  Such a fun route and iconic wall in Zion.  I remember having a blast climbing this route with Andy in the past, but unfortunately the photos didn't really reflect the beauty of the wall, or the feeling of being up there above the Big Bend parking area and Virgin River below. Either way this team in all ninja-black seemed to be plugging away and in good pace for the summit.  Nice work!

The Streaked Wall.  One of the most awe-inspiring (for me) walls in Zion.

California Condor is the largest bird in North America and is considered critically endangered. 

As we walked around starring at the walls, we couldn't help but observe the finite details of the things we encountered along the way.  Trees, dear, butterflies, bugs, plants... I guess I could just say nature, wildlife, and everything in between.  Zion has such an awesome energy and feeling, it pulls the creativity and curiosity right out of your brain and its quite painless.  There were surprises around every corner, but I think the most exciting moment was trying to photograph the 10-point buck that we had spotted briefly and earlier in the day before it ran off into the woods.  As we walked around we had done a very novice but eager job of trying to find it again.  We walked for a good couple hours and saw many awesome things, but no deer.  It wasn't until we crossed the river and began heading back to the car that the deer emerged from right behind us.  It was a pretty serendipitous moment.  Also pretty hilarious considering how close we were but had no idea...

Clueless me. Photo: Andy Reger

We stayed in the river a while, and watched the deer walk back into the brush.  We laughed at how cool it was and how amateur it made us feel. I guess that was part of the joy. The river temperature felt nice so we kept walking down it and decided to look for a nice rock to rest and put our shoes back on.  Along this saunter up stream the deer emerged once again, but this time it walked across the river in front of us.  This was when I finally had my chance to get a good photo of a pretty unique moment.  A rewarding and unexpected experience.  I am seeing this reoccur everyday I go out to shoot photos of wildlife. Always seeing something I never expected when I didn't know what I was looking for. 

The Buck crossing the Virgin River as we walked down it. 

In the week or so before this I also went out to Red Rock Canyon in my backyard and started some of my first random explorations into "wildlife photography".  I didn't really think of it with any type of category in mind really, I just wanted to shoot and wanted to be outside.  I went to a few locations over two days and few hours and found that with patience and curiosity there is truly a lot to see in the desert environment.  Things don't always jump out at you (sometimes they do though), and being still in and observant in one location will allow you to see many things you might not have been looking for. Always a nice surprise. 

Bees, water, and leaves in Red Rock Canyon, NV.

Tarantula hunting Crayfish in a desert pool. Red Rock Canyon, NV.

Oasis - Red Rock Canyon, NV. 

Hope you all enjoy!  I am looking forward to sharing much more in the future.  Please feel free to comment, critique and share this and all future posts.  I am always open to hearing more opinions and experiences. See you out there! 

Life Findings Occasionally Edible...

The local nature reserve in my hometown has always been my favorite places to send my free time. As a kid I went there with my best friend Jon, who lived even closer to it than I did. We'd ride our small sized bmx bikes equipped with the disproportionate pegs for standing on the back; we'd often ride both on the same bike just to be extra cool. Jon and I would adventure into the woods with nothing more than baggy jeans and a loaded imagination. The freedom we felt in the "wild" was classic, and all the cuts, ripped jeans, and mysterious bug bites felt like a right of passage for us 12 year old adventure seekers. Our mental map of the area grew larger with every trek into the unknown, and eventually we found ourselves making some pretty "impressive" discoveries in which I still oddly relate to today.

Our first big discovery were the heaps of metal scrap and old tires that we found on the very east side of the reserve just about 40 feet off the trail. Here we found old washing machines, huge truck tires, and a bathtub sprinkled with mysteriously abundant bullet holes. At some point later we discovered a fully functional metal shovel by the base of a tree in the center of the reserve, and later a broom stick nearby. It seemed that the more time we spent exploring, the more we would discover and the more we would gain. Another notable discovery was a living possum in a downed tree over a river that we were climbing near the entrance. Although the hissing was moderately intimidating, it didn't prevent us from getting a nice up close and personal look at the strange creature. (Shortly after we discovered that possums have pretty nasty looking teeth.) But with each new discovery came a unexpected unique learning experience, and I guess in short I still enjoy that rush today...

The first major search for me in 2011 took place starting in the month of April. The warming spring temps meant many things in the world, but to me it meant the arrival of one of my favorite mushrooms, the Great Morel! This year I could better anticipate the window for their arrival, and I wanted to make sure I was there when they first popped. As many know the Morel's only grow in specific conditions for about three weeks in the early spring. One of their preferred growing conditions is in limestone rich soil near/in the decaying roots of dead trees. So my search began by scouting my location for dead and dying elm and ash trees, a Morel mushroom's favorite. After spotting what seemed like a large amount of dying trees I started noting other living and sprouting plant life. At first there wasn't much of any new growth, and I knew it would be a while before the Morels made an appearance. Eventually as time progressed I saw the first plants breach the soil's surface. Among the short swamp grass was the easily identifiable Mayapple, which sprouts quickly and in patches. Morel's and Mayapples seem to get along and their arrival meant that the Morels would soon to follow...

So after a month of quiet observation and a lot of eager anticipation I ventured into the woods for what I hoped, might be the day the Morel would reveal itself to me once again. After searching for about an hour I was about to call it off and started walking back. Sure enough within the first thirty feet of my retreat I spotted the first Morel of the season. I was refreshed and excited; my search began all over again. Every mushroom hunter knows that where there is one, there are others near. So I stayed put after spotting numero uno, and looked around from my single vantage point and sure enough, I spotted one more, then two more, and that's when I started collecting and enjoying the first successful moments of a long search. I continued to search the terrain for more of the similar dying elms, soil conditions, and topography. After about another 45 minutes I had collected a respectable amount, and I deemed my findings worthy of taking home to be prepped for my next meal!

Once home I washed the Morels in warm water to get rid of any unwanted critters and dirt. At this point they begin to look extra delicious, and the temptation to eat them raw is at an all time high. Although I have friends who have eaten them raw, all of the material I have read clearly states not to eat the mushrooms uncooked, so I always play it safe and sauté them up in a meal. I typically like to have the Morels with some type of rice and fish with extra veggies. At this point in the game it is all subjective and creativity is always an option in how you choose to prepare them. Last year I (tried) breading whole mushrooms to be eaten individually, as well as dehydrating them in the oven for longer life span for use in meals throughout the year. And although this year I haven't found enough to save, I certainly was able to cook the ones I found in a few different ways.

Frying the Morel's in butter is an easy and flavorful method of cooking.

Baked Morel's and pizza, oh yeah!

The spring isn't over yet, but with the strange season and temperature changes I'm not sure I'll be able to find as many Morels as I did last year. It is disappointing to not be able to cook up and share the mushrooms with as many people as previously, but like always the hunt is addictive and captivating. My eye is becoming much more skilled at locating mushrooms of all types, and within the last year I have spotted over a half dozen different mushrooms growing locally, most of which can be eaten. This year I hope to to do a little more research into the other varieties around, and I am looking forward to doing my first spore print to positively identify some of the trickier looking mushrooms. Like the mushrooms themselves my interest in the hunt has come unexpectedly, but their presence has added yet another item to the list of things to love about spring.

Spring Fever and Site Updates

Ideal spring weather is just around the corner and I couldn't be more excited for the conditions the rejuvenating spring weather will bring. Lately it has been a lot of rain and sleet coming down, but I am confident the wet conditions will drastically transform the great outdoors into a simply refreshing place to once again explore. I am especially looking forward to the one year anniversary of an unexpectedly profound moment from my life last year which I can best describe as "48 Hours Free". Since another year has passed I am proud to say I am becoming more in touch with the natural flora and fauna of Wisconsin, and I am quite eager to continue searching for new sprouting plants and fungi in the warmer months to come. In stride with the new growth of spring, I am also planning on expanding some of the content of my blog to cover more than just climbing and photography. I feel that I've been updating less recently do to some potential repetition in my "blogged" content. I'm still going to be embracing my main passions directly in the blog, but I'm also hoping to focus on some of the lesser known experiences in my life that are equally important to me in the big picture.

One of my newest and most eclectic pursuits is a video and music project in which I document myself in the process of making improvised music with a bass and loop pedal. All the shots are live and one-take only (just like the music). I've been finding there are many challenges to overcome before a "final" video will make its way online to be viewed in full. Regardless the process is constantly exciting and ever evolving. For this project I am using two different cameras simultaneously to document the action, one camera being my DSLR and the other being the built in camera in my Mac. The two couldn't be any more different to use, but I welcome the opportunity to try and integrate them. The entire process is based on improvisation which is something I have found essential to my understanding of the ever changing world around me that I willingly participate in.

Also, some of my photos will be featured on the new Figure Four Climbing Hold's website. I was excited to load the page for the first time and see one of my shots from Quick on the Draw right away. I am glad the shoots have a home there, and although the photo is neat I think most people are far more interested in those huge mustache holds! They're still getting the website up and running, but everyone should check out all the different shapes because they are truly fun to climb on. I have also updated my own website with some new rock climbing photos and will be adding to the freelance section in the near future. So while its still a little cold and rainy outside don't feel bad surfing the web for a little longer to check out the updates. But once it's nice out you better join me outside!

Natural Light Leaks

Entering the Laundry Room

A few different light sources leak through open doors and windows to project a wonderful display in my basement.

The Winter Way

I've always been one to believe that if you don't like winter, its because you're not spending enough time outside experiencing it. Some people may find this idea irrational or overplayed... and of course I enjoy bundling up inside and ignoring the freezing reality outside too, but the idea is a simple one. To enjoy something you must experience it for what it is unaffected. It wasn't in my immediate adulthood that I came to terms with this but perhaps I was close to understanding as a child and early teenager. Like most I used to play in the snow for hours, at times even scrapping all the snow and ice off the sidewalk so I could still ride my rollerblades. When I was younger I never viewed the snow and cold temperatures as an inconvenience, but rather a new challenge to overcome or embrace. When I grew out of the rollerblades there was my snowboard waiting for me, when my feet grew too large for my boots I had just received my drivers license, and when the roads got boring there was always plenty of unplowed parking lots to practice doughnuts in... But after a few years of permission from the state to drive, I had realized I had been sucked deep into a trap of monotony and over convenience. Driving was no longer fun; it had become a necessary evil, my chore, and my vex.

The bicycle soon became my means of year round transportation, and winter was now my newest and most inspiring of challenges. My daily commute was longer than it had ever been during my years of growing up at home, and I now preferred to pedal the distance in the same time some would spend heating up their car. Don't get me wrong, not everyday was monumental and celebrated, but as the years passed and the wheel's stayed spinning I had reached a significant understanding of the winter season.

I write this now with a new excitement having just spent the better half of my evening daydreaming about hitching a ride to Sandstone, MN to photograph ice climbing and endure winter camping in the north. A strange thing to be excited about when I break it down and think about the logistics of the whole task I'm about to attempt... I have no winter tent, and the tent I do have has a broken pole adhered together with duct-tape. I am in possession of no ice climbing gear with the exception of a climbing harness and rope with the basic things it takes to photograph. I've never winter camped before, not to mention I'm not even sure where Sandstone MN is. BUT when I ignore this details and think with the more important part of my brain I'm actually in a pretty good place... I've photographed ice climbing before. This will be a great opportunity to start the season off. I have two sleeping bags. I won't have to go to work. I get to experience an entire new reality. And I'll be able to fulfill my ambitions of embracing the winter as a source of inspiration and tranquility. Sounds like an adventure to me, I'll make sure to bring my notebook...

Another Bike Inovation

I've seen this great bicycle/lawn mower a few times while biking though Okauchee. Today I decided to bike there and bring the camera so I could share it. I'm a huge fan of anything involving a bike and this Frankenstein lawn mower bike is certainly no exception. The bicycle is a very simple machine that can be easily adapted into new mini inventions and strange bikes, anyone with a little welding experience and creativity can make their own freak bike. So what are you waiting for? Lets go for a ride!

First Snow on the Back Roads

First real snow I've seen this winter in Wisconsin.

Some Things Overlooked...

With most of my immediate thoughts focused on rock and ice climbing, it is easy to overlook the seeing I do often here in Milwaukee. I recently shot a photo narrative series about my daily bicycle commute, scholarly obligations, and other social activities here in the city, and found it to be a well needed change of pace. I've been spending so much time on the ice climbing images that I needed something to readjust my seeing and understanding of the non-ice world. I started by looking back and photos taken and simply overlooked and under appreciated over the last few months, and found some very exciting shots. A while ago I was biking down strange alleys looking for nook's, crannies, and whatever-else may be out there that I'd never seen before when I found a wonderfully old building. The facade was given a new look by covering the old brick with a fresh veneer of concrete in hopes of concealing its precarious state.

The concrete itself had a rough unfinished look to it, and the building underneath had not stopped crumbling even with the help of the new exterior. The shifting brick underneath was creating small winding cracks through the entire side, something that the building owners tried to further prevent by sealing the cracks. The whole mess seemed backwards to me, but resulted in a most unexpected and honest look at the buildings conditions. Without the new layer of concrete, the "new" cracks would have simply blended in with all the other cracks. Without the sealant, the same cracks maybe would have gone unnoticed altogether. I wasn't sure the logic of the building owners, or if anyone did own the building...

I am going to go ahead and assume this is a just modern street art in the makings.

MATT

Some People Around

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been shooting out on the streets of downtown Milwaukee recently. I initially started this idea by contemplating if was photography as an aggressive act, and what it is like to be photographed. What does it mean to be under surveillance, and how does it feel? I soon concluded that the act of taking a photograph is very aggressive, and generally not well received. I have come to learn that people fear the camera's disapproval, and will not want to be photographed unless thay are allowed to control some aspect of the image, which is usually their chosen appearance by means of a gesture, pose, or even a smile. People are afraid of being exposed by the camera, perhaps I am too. While photographing people at bus stops, I also realized that people are not happy while waiting, especially if you are taking their picture. I also observed that people tended to stay to themselves, and rarely engaged in conversations with each other, or allowed their bodies to become physically close during the wait. Most people choose to occupy themselves with cell phones, cigarettes, or music, while the others read, sat down, or awkwardly fidgeted with their pockets or purse. I have already started to move beyond the bus stops in search of other interesting looking people, and spent today photographing people in the rain, and found many new discoveries, as well as some improvised rain gear. I plan on continuing to expand on this idea, and will continue to shoot on the streets. This will be an on going addition to my blog, as well as the Modern World series below. (Note: I added two more photos to my previous post)

Modern World

I've been photographing people in downtown Milwaukee recently. I set out to photograph discontented people waiting for city buses to arrive; an indubitable challenge. I didn't want to ask permission, nor interfere with their urgent waiting, I was hoping to capture something actually happening in front of me. I've been thinking often about the presence of the camera, and how aggressive it can truly be. (More on this later...) While shooting I naturally ventured west and noticed a steady decline in the conditions of buildings, roads, and what seemed like business. I realized my environment had changed, which temporarily shifted my interests. I started to think about industrialization, development, population, and density. A whole new direction. These photos once again heightened my awareness of consumption in the United States, and my relationship with it. Even our buildings and homes become garbage, and what once was important, will soon be jilted. Much to think about...

Laugh Hard

Mosquito swarms of the North Woods

Environmental Portrait

Similarities

These photos are from a recent excursion to the north woods of Wisconsin. Every summer my family plans a trip to go boating and get away from the grind for a week. This year I decided to drive myself there in my navy blue '89 Buick Century Wagon, a luxurious boat of a vehicle which gets horrible gas milage, but will immediately facilitate any young soul's aspirations for unknown adventure. I didn't really bring much of anything along on with me. The only exception to this was my bicycle and a case which previously held an old Super 8 film projector, which now housed my camera, few clothes, toothbrush, and ticket to freedom conveniently inside.

I kept the windows rolled down in the wagon for the entire four hour drive north, something I seem to do no matter what the weather is like. I think this speaks loudly for my inability to let things pass by without attempting to engage myself with them in the present. I arrived with little hassle, and immediately caught up with family and friends. After the initial excitement of arrival had subsided, I was left to do as I please, and had no schedule to conform too. To be honest I found this to be overwhelming. Who drives four hours north to relax in someone else's house with nothing to do? It was an interesting dilemma. Luckily my family thought ahead and brought copious amounts of beer, which I helped consume. I spent many hours each day biking around the lake, which became pretty banal after several laps, but helped me feel accomplished. It was relatively windy this week, but everyone made the best of it, and we had a day of skiing and I had a great vantage point from the boat and the lighting was great. These are some photos that caught my eye from the trip to the north woods.