Trail ho for 30 days - photos

“Finally!! Got the webpage updated, with a page dedicated to our 30 day trip on the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevadas, CA. 270 miles total, 211 mi on the JMT and 59 mi of side trips, which included four 14ers. We were on Split Mtn (14,058') during the terrorist attacks and didn't know til 3 days later. 6 days later we weren't sure if we would get off of Mt.Tyndall (14,018') alive. Made it up Mt Muir (14,015') on the way to Mt Whitney (14,464') on the 28th day. Decided not to go down the Mountaineers Route of Whitney, went down the 100 switchbacks and did part of the MR from below. So we covered the whole trail with our packs on and without layover days. If I could, I would be out there right now for another 30 days.

http://home.socal.rr.com/snownymph/JMT_index.htm”

“Snow Nymph, I looked at some of your pictures tonight, and they were great.”

“Link

Wow! Looked at about 4 of the albums. I will look at more later...great trip and great pics.”

“Phil,
thanks for the link. I have to learn to do that. I got hair or something in the first roll, and mailed about 4-5 rolls home from Reds Mdw. Don't know if the problem is in the developing, but you can see the streaks across a lot of the pics. Hope you enjoy them anyway.”

“SnowNymph, your pictures were great! Your trips always seem so cool. I've got to get out there one of these days and play tag-a-long!”

“Your photos are simply awesome! Thanks, I enjoyed seeing them.”

“Thanks for the excellent pics. This brings back such good memories of the area near Donahue pass. The area on the south side of the pass has such a spooky beauty, words fail me.”

“cool name bluebelch!”

“Great photos Snownymph! Thanks for sharing them.”

“Great photos Snownymph! Thanks for sharing them.”

“Great photos Snownymph! Thanks for sharing them.”

“Awesome pics snow nymph!!”

“That trip looked "Stelar" Thanks”

“Looks like a great trip.

I got bored at work today and decided I'd fix some of your images that the developer messed up.

Check your email”

“Cool, gets me going for next spring. Thanks for the idea of a new trail name, The Hermit. Thanks for sharing.”

“HPM, you're awesome! The photos are amazing! I left one on the album (Vernal Falls) that shows before and after (credited with your name, of course). You do great work!”

“Awe shucks.
Thanks.”

“Hi Snow Nymph. I checked out your site at the beginning of the year from a link I saw on yahoo. I was looking at it again and wanted to let you know how amazing your diligent photography is.

I'm hiking the JMT this summer and wanted to know what kind of camera you brought? I do have a few digigal cams and an APS Elph, but I really want to bring my Canon EOS 7e. Photography is a hobby of mine and I think it's worth the extra 2 lbs. What did you carry with you?

Loungesong”

“I use a Canon Rebel 2000 for backpacking. It weighs 23 oz with the 28-80 lens. It was worth the weight.

I carried my film in a deli container (prevents crushing). I got rid of all the extra film containers and sealed each roll with a food sealer (keep moisture out). I got 8 rolls in the container and lined it with a napkin to protect it from light. I brought one film canister to carry a fresh roll that I could change without having to dig in my bear canister. I developed 27 rolls of film. I had more, but the first 4 days were smoky from the fires. I also scratched a number on the outside of the film so when I got it developed, it was in the order I took it. I also carried a small tripod (2 oz) from REI. I use the OR neoprene camera strap too. I carry the camera around my neck and it doesn't dig in. Be sure to get one of those straps that hooks on to the lens cap.

You're gonna have a great time!

We decided to do it again next year, but with more side trips.”

“Thanks for the response...

This is great to hear. I have an EOS 7E with a 28-105 lens. I haven't weighed it, but I suspect it is a few ounces heavier.

A few more questions:

1. If you carried it around your neck--did you have anything protecting it at all (soft case, etc)? How did you store it at night?

2. What kind of film did you bring. I'm torn between B/W and good old Kodachrome 100

3. Did you bring the REI Ultrapod I or II?

4. How clean did you lens stay (especially)? Did you bring cleaning wipes and a fluid dropper?

Thanks so much.

Loungesong”

“1. I carry it around my neck, and under the left arm. All I brought to protect it was a gallon baggie, in case of rain. I have the soft case, but didn't want to carry the extra weight. I bought the 3 yr warranty on the camera. If they can't fix it they'll replace it.

2. I use Kodak 200asa. Couldn't find 100asa. Costco has it for $10-$12 for a box of 6 (4-24 exp & 2-36 exp) I use the 24 exp for weekend trips, and saved up the 36 exp for the JMT.

3. Its the REI Ultra Pod Tripod

4. I didn't bring anything to clean it except a cloth for my glasses. I keep the lenscap on most of the time so it stayed pretty clean.”

“I use FUJI HQ 100
It costs 7bux for 4 pak-24exp at smart and final
I switched cuz i have so far found no diff between it and kodak gold and it costs less.
SN,I really like kodak 100 but you can never get a decent deal on it.Theyve been selling the 200 at discount prices for eons but i think thats cuz it just isnt as useful as 100film.BTW,the fuji sells 200 like nuts and smart and final is the only place ive been able to find the FUJI 100 (4rolls,24exp) for 6.89 :>
BTW II,kodak film(and most film) in europe is less than 2bux a roll:<”

“davex, your photos have some good color! I think Tekapo also uses Fuji. I used a roll of it on the McGee Backpack (when his camera quit working). I need 36 exp for longer trips. There's a S&F near work. I'll check it out. Thanks!”

“Hey Snow Nymph, I use the same camera and it's pretty tough. It's been underwater and took a dive off some rocks I was climbing, It even survived an encounter with my 3-year old.”

“i've got an olympus 4040 zoom; anyone out there have it also that has used it on the trail??? let me know of your results/tips/problems, as i want to hit the trails with it over the summer.”

“I have an Olympus Superzoom 70 S. Haven't developed any pics yet...I always forget to take them.”

“Ok, so I cracked the UV lens and polarizing lens by the end of the trip. It happened on Tyndall, when I was climbing a rock face to get back to the trail. The camera was bouncing, and I finally threw it in my pack. I took it to get "tuned up" after and the guy commented on how used it looked. Everything inside was ok, so I just had to replace the lenses.

Forgot to answer 1) At night the camera sits inside the tent, on top of a stuff sack or clothes.”

“SN- Your camera has alot of mileage on it. In addition to your handling, that also suggests something about Canon. I'd imagine if you go digital, you'd stick with Canon.

Yes, I use Fuji. It's supposed to offer better saturation and color reproduction for landscape or outdoor photos. Once also read that Kodak slide film is better for skin tones. Having tried Kodak for outdoor work, I prefer Fuji. Never tried Agfa though.”

“I'm looking for a Canon Elph Digital. Skier11053 took a shot of me on Hangman's, and they came out great! The other photos on his site were nice, too. So I'm looking for that for snowboarding and trips I've done before. I'll probably carry the SLR for Montanapalooza and the JMT next year.”

“JMT again, huh? The last one for 30-day just wasn't enough time, eh? All a blurr? Knew that would happen. LOL. Might as well.

I'm taking the digital for the JMT this year. It'll be fully tested before I risk it though. The whole thing is primarily about development cost. Second, development time. And third, quality. Lower weight is important too.”

“No, not a blurr. We want to explore other areas, more side trips....Mt Lyell, McGee Canyon, Seven Gables....and more

I think I spent over $300 to develop my JMT photos. I kept track of developing costs from 2001, and it came out to over $1400. That doesn't include the cost of the film.

Hmm...better check into digital real quick.”

“my understanding of digital is that the telephoto(100mm+) ability is nil.
Im not sure if i have to bring a ton of memory sticks or if Ill be able to find an internet cafe every 3 or 4 days so i can download my pix and free up memory.
I know if u have Canon slr USM lenses,you can use them on their top end digital cams(2000-5000$)
Ill get a digital slr system when they come down to sub 1200.”

“heres another dilemma:
dont you lose image quality if u upload to a website?
Isnt it better to directly burn your pix onto cd or store on yer pc?”

“Hey SN - I finally had a chance to look at your pics.... they're great! Looks like an awesome trip!

A tip for you photo buffs... If you can save $$ by buying a bunch of film, store it in your fridge. It is perishable. I doubt Snow Nymph has to worry about that, the way she goes through film”