I decided to drag my brother in law out on an early morning hike to take in a sunrise on top of a mountain in the Canadian Rockies. We were up at 12:30 am and on the road by 1:30 am. Our hike commenced by 3 am. Our flashlights were the only way we could navigate through the dense forest known for large volumes of grizzly bear activity. After we broke free from the forested portion of the trail, we still had to hike through a slog of an uphill scree slope. We made it to the summit with just moments to spare before the sun broke the horizon. I had just enough time to set up for this shot. Here, Steve soaks in the first light of the day looking to the east towards Calgary.
The importance of avalanche safety is highlighted in a photograph like this. Helicopters were buzzing around all morning and dropping bombs on the mountaintops and triggering avalanches. Each season, when the snowpack reaches unstable conditions, local municipalities are forced to close roads and mitigate risk. This is one of many measures. This image was taken in the town of Canmore. The avalanche is on the east end of Rundle Mountain.
