snowfall

Frozen Northwest

Winter in the PNW is rarely the stuff of dreams, unless one is a fan of cold dark dreariness alternated with miserable downpours and brief interludes of sun. But then again, there are brief intervals of time where sunlight meets the quiet still winter morning. And to be outside on a day, wandering amidsts snow-capped giants and snow-covered angels, is a moment to be treasured.

Tahoma State Forest

WA USAWinter in the PNW is rarely the stuff of dreams, unless one is a fan of cold dark dreariness alternated with miserable downpours and brief interludes of sun. But then again, there are brief intervals of time where sunlight meets the quiet still winter morning. And to be outside on a day, wandering amidsts snow-capped giants and snow-covered angels, is a moment to be treasured.

Tahoma State Forest
WA USA

The Last Vestiges of Winter

The last vestiges of winter are still hanging on through mid-April, leading to plunging mercury lines and people searching for their winter-wear. It brought memories of the cold winter the city went through, as well as my own escapades into the snow-capped cascades.

One such trip was the climb up-to Huntoon point where I was witness to a spectacle of sun and snow like no other. Fresh snowfall from the prior night had coated the ragged peaks with a carpet of pure undisturbed white, while strong winds had created tree-shines on the south-facing slopes. It was surreal to experience the transition from verdant greenery to the refreshing white climbing up from the depths below.

Conditions like these come together perhaps a couple of times a year, and I was glad to experience one of them. Hopefully it will keep me engaged until the next winter.

North Cascades National Park
WA USA

The White Frost

I remember first setting sights on the Ahwahnee hotel, ahem, the 'Majestic Yosemite Hotel' on my second visit to this beautiful park. I stood in awe at the huge vaulted ceilings in the main dining area, at the towering chandeliers lighting the lounge, and the large native stones that were crafted beautifully into the walls. I listened in peace to the crackling sounds of the warm fireplace and the soothing music emanating from the grand piano while I took a breather from the cold outdoors in the cozy interior. This was my first winter experience in Yosemite, a memory that would bring me back to the Ahwahnee every visit just to rekindle those old feelings.

On one such winter outing, I chanced upon the park just as it was experiencing a heavy snowfall. The crowds were away, leaving behind a very quite and serene surrounding. The normally bluebird skies with Yosemite falls in the background was replaced with a moody grey sky pouring down wet snow. This was the white Christmas I experienced once, at the heart of Yosemite National Park. I made a few attempts at capturing this snowfall before I got drowned in the snow, and this was one attempt at photographing the White Frost.

Thank you Yosemite, for etching such wonderful memories.

Yosemite National Park
CA USA