Current condition: Snow at Heather Park and above ~5,000′. Pass near Second Top has spotty snow with a campsite nearly melted out. A few down trees still on upper part of trail above ~4,000′.



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Steve and I headed up the trail at 12:00 on Saturday, with Jake following us about an hour later. We rested at Halfway Rock (2.2 miles up trail), ate a snack and received a more recent trail report from two hikers coming down the trail. Shortly after we proceeded up the trail with stunning vistas popping through the trees at higher elevations. At around 5,000′ we started hitting patches of snow and then hit the snowline at Heather Park which sits at approximately 5,200′. Steve and I waited at Heather Park for Jake so we could decide as a group whether to camp in the snow at the park or climb higher to the Second Top pass where there was a reported break in the snow, enough for a camp site. Jake arrived 45 minutes later, and with a fresh “trail” report from a couple coming down the mountain, we decided to head up another 300′ to the ridge line.

Because Heather Park was covered in snow, so was the trail, which required some route finding and snow travel. Nobody had any snow or ice tools, but the snow was pretty wet and provided enough traction given a few good kicks to make a foothold. Climbing the 300′ with a 35lb pack and breaking snow was exhausting, but exhilarating. It felt good to get off the trail and rely on skill to find a way to the top. Playing in the snow was a bonus.


We hiked about halfway up the snowfield on the left and then cut across the grove of trees to find the pass.


We reached the pass at around 16:00 and scouted for the best camp, out of the wind and snow. The location we chose is the same one I stayed at years ago with my Dad and brother when I managed to convince them that hiking was fun (hasn’t happened since). Steve, Jake and I set up camp and then explored the hill adjacent to Second Top. From the hill we had stunning views of Mt. Angeles, Mt. Olympus, Hurricane Hill, the Bailey Range, Victoria, Mt. Baker and more.


Mt. Angeles to the left, Mt. Olympus in the background




Mt. Olympus – background left, Hurricane Hill – Foreground Center, Bailey Range(?) – Background Right

We ate dinner and watched the sun set, a perfect end to a great day. In the morning, we had planned on watching the sun rise, but an early and heavy rain kept us in the tent past actual sunrise. Steve and I were up by 05:15 and back on the hill-top to check out the views for the last time before we came off the mountain. After a quick breakfast and some snow melting for water, we started our trek back down the mountain, taking a different, less hazardous route that more likely followed the actual trail.

All-in-all, it was a great trip. We had the mountain to ourself and the views were stunning. This was the best hike of the year so far. I can’t wait to get further into the back country, but with 12′ of snow at High Divide, it will probably be a while.

The problem I have is that I need to do things all the way or not at all.  I love photography, and I love the powerful responses that some of my images give me.  I also enjoy being able to evoke responses from people through my photography.  The problem is that the kind of photography I really want to do takes complete dedication and hard work.  I just don’t have that kind of time with two kids and a highly technical job that also takes full dedication to be proficient.

I don’t know where this takes me, but for now, I’m taking a break while I figure things out.  I’m not selling off cameras or writing off photography – it means too much to me.

In the meantime, I’ll be playing with my phone’s camera, and a “flip” video camera to shoot some video occasionally.  No projects, just random.

This is a test from android app wptogo

Downtown Port Angeles at the White Crane martial arts center. Joe Jenkins, a Seaman in the Coast Guard, helps build a pile of newspapers that will later be used for a cutting demonstration.

Photo was taken with Kodak’s BW400CN, which is a monochrome C-41 process film. After reviewing two rolls, I hate the film. Very muddy lifeless negatives lacking contrast. I’ll stick to Tri-X thank you very much. The C-41 process is what tempted me, which means I can have this film processed at any photo lab. The drawbacks are apparent and I’ll be sticking with traditional silver-based film for now.

Pretty close, I think. There are a few images I’m missing that would round this portfolio out, but at least by performing this exercise I know what to focus on. This is a portfolio of images in and around Clallam County and represent a wide range of activities and people. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for looking!

Second draft portfolio revision, all photos taken in and of Clallam County:

I’m working a new look for the site, something a little more simple and direct. More changes will occur over the weekend and broken links will be fixed soon. The objective is to make it much easier for people to find my work. Thanks!

On February 14th, 2009, my wife and I welcomed our second son, Miles Henry Johnson into the world. I am fortunate to be able to take a few weeks off of work to take care of my wife and family as we transition to a new way of life with two kids.

Welcome Miles, may you grow up to be a better man than I.

Currently sitting in Narita Intl. Airport, about to board last plane to Seattle. Arriving 08:00 Monday morning – Talk to you all soon!

This afternoon we’ll be heading out of Saigon in the direction of My Tho, a province south of Saigon and in the Mekong Delta. There is no agenda, no destination, just a direction. I think it’s better this way, especially when exploring and photographing.

Towards the end of the week, we’re looking into traveling to Hoi An. We’ll take a short plane trip to Danang and hire a taxi or bus to take us the rest of the way.

Hoi An is famous for it’s old-town which hasn’t changed in hundreds of years. Also, there are beaches and tailors. Tailors that will hand-tailor any style suit with any fabric for about $110. I don’t think I’ll be buying any suits, but I may look at some pants or shirts.

For now, I’m getting ready for our excursion out of the city. Packing clothes, packing gear and doing some quick research to help me know what I’m looking at.