Nikon Wednesday 2018: #36

I went for a "easy to moderate" hike on Saturday, September 1 up the Adams Canyon Trail near Layton, UT. I learned some very important things on the hike. Number 1, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 2, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 3, whoever rates these trails is most likely acclimated to the elevation here (and did I mention that I'm not acclimated yet?). Number 4, I need a better way to lug my gear around as in getting a backpack that will carry my camera stuff and tripod, some snacks and water, etc. What I thought was going to take 2 - 3 hours turned into almost 6 hours, and for someone with diabetes, planning accordingly is very important. Despite my inexperience and still feeling the effects it was well worth it. Here are a couple of shots from the trail. First shot is from a small clearing along the trail where you can see a hint of fall colors starting to show. The second shot is of the waterfall at the end of the trail.

Monterey California, D300s 24-85 2.8-4

I went for a "easy to moderate" hike on Saturday, September 1 up the Adams Canyon Trail near Layton, UT. I learned some very important things on the hike. Number 1, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 2, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 3, whoever rates these trails is most likely acclimated to the elevation here (and did I mention that I'm not acclimated yet?). Number 4, I need a better way to lug my gear around as in getting a backpack that will carry my camera stuff and tripod, some snacks and water, etc. What I thought was going to take 2 - 3 hours turned into almost 6 hours, and for someone with diabetes, planning accordingly is very important. Despite my inexperience and still feeling the effects it was well worth it. Here are a couple of shots from the trail. First shot is from a small clearing along the trail where you can see a hint of fall colors starting to show. The second shot is of the waterfall at the end of the trail.

 

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Argh - I know the feeling about these elevation things. Glad you survived the experience! Make sure you take some extra glycogen tabs!

Argh - I know the feeling about these elevation things. Glad you survived the experience! Make sure you take some extra glycogen tabs!

I know I must have looked absolutely awful on the way down the trail as two different groups of people stopped and asked if I was ok. One offered to carry some of my gear back to the parking lot for me and the other was asking if I needed something to eat and some water. I didn't mention that I lost my footing and slipped and fell, thankfully on a relatively safe place to slip and fall, more embarrassing than anything else.

Nikon F, 28-85mm Nikkor, Tri-X, D76. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO.

D750 10.5mm f/2.8 DX 1/160 sec @ f/5.6 ISO 100

I'm just glad you made it back okay, Tony.

I'm not diabetic ("yet" as a "friend" once quipped), but I've got muscle cramp issues, and the Skookumchuck rapids shots from a few Wednesdays back nearly caused me major problems when I underestimated water requirements in the heat - I was getting worried as the sun got low and everyone seemed to have left the woods. I was hardly moving when I got to the car, and could barely walk for a few days after. It took me twenty minutes to put a sock on the next day because my legs hurt too much to bend.

So... Safe shooting, everyone, and look after yourselves. Thanks for sharing the art we suffer for.

I went for a "easy to moderate" hike on Saturday, September 1 up the Adams Canyon Trail near Layton, UT. I learned some very important things on the hike. Number 1, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 2, I'm not acclimated to the elevation here yet. Number 3, whoever rates these trails is most likely acclimated to the elevation here (and did I mention that I'm not acclimated yet?). Number 4, I need a better way to lug my gear around as in getting a backpack that will carry my camera stuff and tripod, some snacks and water, etc. What I thought was going to take 2 - 3 hours turned into almost 6 hours, and for someone with diabetes, planning accordingly is very important. Despite my inexperience and still feeling the effects it was well worth it. Here are a couple of shots from the trail. First shot is from a small clearing along the trail where you can see a hint of fall colors starting to show. The second shot is of the waterfall at the end of the trail.

 

Definitely be careful out here, the altitude, heat, and dryness aren't to be taken lightly! I am always surprised when I head back to the midwest about how different exercising is. (I was in Cincinnati recently, didn't even raise my heart rate or breathing on the treadmill, though oddly because of the humidity I actually sweat, so that was new..) There aren't many "easy" hikes around here. AllTrails is usually pretty good with the trail descriptions. You might try the Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon, it's steep at the front, but not for very long, and then level. Parts of the Bonneville Shoreline are flatter, too. There's a hike up above the Aves with great city skyline and lake views payoff and it's not too long. (Though there will be better payoff on clearer days...)

This is why I struggle with camera and backpack weight! (backpacks are like camera bags, I've bought so many thinking it was the solution, only to discard it later in favor of a new solution...) I drink a lot of water, and carry a lot in my backpack. I've lived here for years, I'm not in *terrible* shape, but uphills really challenge my lung capacity. Even hiking in Glacier was less challenging that here. A lot of the hikes involve elevation gain in a relatively short distance. So, be careful, bring lots of water and great snacks, and take it easy til you're acclimated. Happy shooting!

(PS. for fall colors make sure you visit Provo canyon, you'll love it. You can go to Sundance and take the ski lift to the top.)

though oddly because of the humidity I actually sweat, so that was new..

Heh. Once I'd got past 4 litres of water without needing the bathroom, I decided it was warm. I relied on patterned T-shirts for several trips so strangers wouldn't immediately notice the sweat stains (fortunately no restaurants refused me for dress code); Skookumchuck is the first time the salt I perspired has visibly discoloured my jeans. Fortunately I had electrolyte pills with me anyway for my cramping. I took the camera bag off periodically just to ventilate and cool down (so much for "breathable"). At one point in the hotel room I was trying to work out why a seat was wet - it's because I put the camera bag on it straps down the night before. Oddly, software engineering doesn't prepare my frame for this. Fortunately being outdoors meant I didn't need to smell myself too much.

Executive summary: Ew. Pretty scenery, though.

I'm just glad you made it back okay, Tony.

 

I'm not diabetic ("yet" as a "friend" once quipped), but I've got muscle cramp issues, and the Skookumchuck rapids shots from a few Wednesdays back nearly caused me major problems when I underestimated water requirements in the heat - I was getting worried as the sun got low and everyone seemed to have left the woods. I was hardly moving when I got to the car, and could barely walk for a few days after. It took me twenty minutes to put a sock on the next day because my legs hurt too much to bend.

 

So... Safe shooting, everyone, and look after yourselves. Thanks for sharing the art we suffer for.

I can relate sooo much. Last month was the first time I had the strength to lift a camera for almost 6 months. I have decided to take only my camera and one lens on a Black Rapids strap and a monopod for stabilizing myself!

Nikon FX body with 600mm Nikkor lens

Definitely be careful out here, the altitude, heat, and dryness aren't to be taken lightly! I am always surprised when I head back to the midwest about how different exercising is. (I was in Cincinnati recently, didn't even raise my heart rate or breathing on the treadmill, though oddly because of the humidity I actually sweat, so that was new..) There aren't many "easy" hikes around here. AllTrails is usually pretty good with the trail descriptions. You might try the Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon, it's steep at the front, but not for very long, and then level. Parts of the Bonneville Shoreline are flatter, too. There's a hike up above the Aves with great city skyline and lake views payoff and it's not too long. (Though there will be better payoff on clearer days...)

 

This is why I struggle with camera and backpack weight! (backpacks are like camera bags, I've bought so many thinking it was the solution, only to discard it later in favor of a new solution...) I drink a lot of water, and carry a lot in my backpack. I've lived here for years, I'm not in *terrible* shape, but uphills really challenge my lung capacity. Even hiking in Glacier was less challenging that here. A lot of the hikes involve elevation gain in a relatively short distance. So, be careful, bring lots of water and great snacks, and take it easy til you're acclimated. Happy shooting!

(PS. for fall colors make sure you visit Provo canyon, you'll love it. You can go to Sundance and take the ski lift to the top.)

Growing up in Oklahoma and then living in Virginia the past seven years, there is a huge difference in the elevation. And add the fact that I'm not getting any younger (won't say I'm getting old), it really hit me hard. Honestly though, I think coming back down the trail is where I struggled the most. You mention the sweating, I typically sweat like a pig on a spit. I've officiated high school sports for the past 30 years and usually during football season I would have so much sweat dripping off my cap that I would get the ball wet when spotting it. I really didn't sweat that much on the hike which caused me some concern, but again as you mention the air is much dryer here.

I do think part of what contributed to slipping was struggling with my bag and tripod. Right now I just have the bag that came with my kit, just a small shoulder bag with a flash carry case clipped on to the side. I had my tripod in a carrying case as well as a small backpack with my water and snacks. My camera bag and tripod had been shifting the whole time, throw in the decline that I was going down and there you have it, I went down.

They are having a star party up in Ogden Saturday evening that I'm thinking about going to. I will add the trails you mentioned and Provo to my list of places to go. If everything goes right, we're supposed to close on our house in Virginia at the end of the month so my wife will be getting out here soon thereafter so we can see some of these places together.

Heh. Once I'd got past 4 litres of water without needing the bathroom, I decided it was warm. I relied on patterned T-shirts for several trips so strangers wouldn't immediately notice the sweat stains (fortunately no restaurants refused me for dress code); Skookumchuck is the first time the salt I perspired has visibly discoloured my jeans. Fortunately I had electrolyte pills with me anyway for my cramping. I took the camera bag off periodically just to ventilate and cool down (so much for "breathable"). At one point in the hotel room I was trying to work out why a seat was wet - it's because I put the camera bag on it straps down the night before. Oddly, software engineering doesn't prepare my frame for this. Fortunately being outdoors meant I didn't need to smell myself too much.

 

Executive summary: Ew. Pretty scenery, though.

Andrew, I can totally relate to the sweating. I've never thought about electrolyte pills, something to think about. I can relate as well to the job not preparing you for the hiking and other physical stuff. Cyber security here, and yes most of the day is spent at the keyboard or moving from one building to the other for meetings. I had a meeting today that ran about 3 1/2 hours and still being a little sore from the hike on Saturday, when I got up at the end of the meeting,,,,, oy!

You get to move between buildings? Sports nut. :-)

(I feel I should apologise a bit for subverting a Wednesday thread, but it's probably worth encouraging us all to stay healthy. Relatively, in my case.)

Growing up in Oklahoma and then living in Virginia the past seven years, there is a huge difference in the elevation. And add the fact that I'm not getting any younger (won't say I'm getting old), it really hit me hard. Honestly though, I think coming back down the trail is where I struggled the most. You mention the sweating, I typically sweat like a pig on a spit. I've officiated high school sports for the past 30 years and usually during football season I would have so much sweat dripping off my cap that I would get the ball wet when spotting it. I really didn't sweat that much on the hike which caused me some concern, but again as you mention the air is much dryer here.

 

I do think part of what contributed to slipping was struggling with my bag and tripod. Right now I just have the bag that came with my kit, just a small shoulder bag with a flash carry case clipped on to the side. I had my tripod in a carrying case as well as a small backpack with my water and snacks. My camera bag and tripod had been shifting the whole time, throw in the decline that I was going down and there you have it, I went down.

 

They are having a star party up in Ogden Saturday evening that I'm thinking about going to. I will add the trails you mentioned and Provo to my list of places to go. If everything goes right, we're supposed to close on our house in Virginia at the end of the month so my wife will be getting out here soon thereafter so we can see some of these places together.

Because the altitude and the steepness of our trails, I've definitely struggled with how to carry what I want. Hit up REI and consider a sturdy day pack with a hydration system. This year I started using more backpack than I probably need, but it's got a really great waist belt and the back is sort of like an internal frame backpacking pack. Even though it's bigger and heavier than I need most of the time, it's just so much more stable. (It's an REI Lookout 40.)

Have you been to Pictureline yet? They are a fantastic store here in SLC, and a great bunch of salespeople. They have lots of tripods in stock, see if you like a traveler style tripod, for hiking at least. (last spring I bought a Gitzo Traveler and I adore it. So much time wasted not carrying big clunky tripods because they were big and clunky, and this slips in my pack easily, and it's so light!)

And then one final piece of advice, and I'm sorry if I'm giving too much unsolicited advice, it's just that carrying camera gear on hikes is a struggle that I struggle with, and I'd love to save someone else buying three tripods and four backpacks if I can save you the time and money. :) If you don't already use hiking poles, think about getting some. I used to use them, and then for some reason I stopped. This summer I picked them back up again and I felt like a mountain goat, like I could go anywhere. They help a lot with stability, especially downhill. And the downhills can be tougher than the uphills.

Enjoy that star party! I often see those events on Facebook and wish I could go, but I work on Sat nights. And congrats on your house! I hope you and your wife are very happy here.

And sorry to everyone else for hijacking a Nikon Wednesday thread!

Because the altitude and the steepness of our trails, I've definitely struggled with how to carry what I want. Hit up REI and consider a sturdy day pack with a hydration system. This year I started using more backpack than I probably need, but it's got a really great waist belt and the back is sort of like an internal frame backpacking pack. Even though it's bigger and heavier than I need most of the time, it's just so much more stable. (It's an REI Lookout 40.)

 

Have you been to Pictureline yet? They are a fantastic store here in SLC, and a great bunch of salespeople. They have lots of tripods in stock, see if you like a traveler style tripod, for hiking at least. (last spring I bought a Gitzo Traveler and I adore it. So much time wasted not carrying big clunky tripods because they were big and clunky, and this slips in my pack easily, and it's so light!)

 

And then one final piece of advice, and I'm sorry if I'm giving too much unsolicited advice, it's just that carrying camera gear on hikes is a struggle that I struggle with, and I'd love to save someone else buying three tripods and four backpacks if I can save you the time and money. :) If you don't already use hiking poles, think about getting some. I used to use them, and then for some reason I stopped. This summer I picked them back up again and I felt like a mountain goat, like I could go anywhere. They help a lot with stability, especially downhill. And the downhills can be tougher than the uphills.

 

Enjoy that star party! I often see those events on Facebook and wish I could go, but I work on Sat nights. And congrats on your house! I hope you and your wife are very happy here.

 

And sorry to everyone else for hijacking a Nikon Wednesday thread!

I stopped by our local store here in Layton this evening (The Imaging Depot) and picked up a ProMaster backpack. Everything fits nicely and has room for my MacBook Air when I want to take that with.

We picked up some hiking poles a few years ago after visiting my mom near Glacier. This is the first time really using them, they are really helpful. And by the way, I'm always open to advise :)

You get to move between buildings? Sports nut. :)

 

(I feel I should apologise a bit for subverting a Wednesday thread, but it's probably worth encouraging us all to stay healthy. Relatively, in my case.)

Sometimes I get to go between buildings. Sometimes the biggest movement I have is heading upstairs for coffee