Sun-Dial Peak

Sun-Dial peak in the upper Wasatch mountains, Utah.

This is a hike I've been wanting to do for awhile, and today I got off early from work and went for it.

I either seriously overestimated my physical prowess, or underestimated the difficulty of this hike because by the time I reached the lake, I was happy to be alive. I thought about turning back more than once, but the peak in the distance kept me going. Finally I arrived and shot as I nervously watched the sky change in front of me as the clouds began to look more and more ominous.

After what I thought was a great shoot I started to head down. Not more than 5 minutes from leaving the top I heard a ground shaking thunder sweep down the valley. I've been in high alpine lightning storms and I wasn't the least bit pleased to be in another one. After I saw a flash of lighting it occurred to me I had an aluminum tripod sticking out the back of my pack. "Aluminum is an excellent electricity conductor" was the recurring thought in my mind as lighting seemed to strike all around me and rain drenched everything. 7 miles later, after a hair raising run/jog/scramble down, I finally arrived at my car strangely thankful to be alive. I dunno, I've seen lightning strike close and the stuff scares the hell out of me.

That was my Wednesday adventure, and this shot represents the fruits of my labor.

Canon 5D. 24-105mm. HDR. Circ pol.

Opinions welcomed.