2016: A photo essay and thanks...

Some years seem longer than others... 2016 might be the most full and intense year I have ever had. It was a year of very deep lows and very high highs. Both wandering and serial re-anchoring - and perhaps covering more physical miles then any year previous.

Residency in Denmark, then Colorado, then California... Travel on three continents... I worked in 5 different US states chasing guiding and photo contracts. I slept in the front seat of my car too many times to count.

Managed some sweet alpine climbing ticks in the Rockies and the Sierra. With two new camera lenses I got some new visual perspectives and tried to learn how to "see" again. I got to test/play/shoot a lot of great outdoor gear from Osprey Packs, Camelbak, Blue Water Ropes, Grand Trunk, Mpowher Apparel, Optic Nerve sunglasses, inflatable kayaks from Innova etc.... 

I finally got to work with my sister, a dedicated activist - we spent time on a national project together helping a non profit realize and then document The Concert Across America To End Gun Violence in Santa Barbara meeting Ozomatli etc, shooting alongside long time Nat Geo editor/photographer and hero Bill...

Many amazing rainbows, sunrises and sunsets and unbelievably starry nights. 

It was a gift reconnecting with the magic of the Southwest again after a five year hiatus - Wandering deep into the Navajo and Hopi reservations and the Grand Canyon.

Rediscovering my hometown - the rugged chapparal Coast Range backpacking, mountain biking, bouldering and trail running, the coastline surf and reconnecting with family was awesome.

The turbulence was certainly there, (working through injuries and the fitness curve to guide again in the Rockies and in the Grand Canyon etc) but the pain also provided much welcomed illumination. 

What I recollect most however are the moments spent with friends both old and new - moments of connection with strangers - laughter as well as harsh perspective. Through mirrors offered and the hard-realized illuminations, life was lived in 2016... Thank you.

These are a few of my favorite images from the year...

All images ©Bennett Barthelemy/Tandem Stills + Motion

Staring At The Sun: A photo essay

Seems I choose to stare at the sun a little more these days...

Living for quite some time this last year during the darker months at northern latitudes in Scandinavia has me exposing eyes and heart to the light and warmth again... and putting the new my 14mm to work.

all images ©Bennett Barthelemy/Tandem Stills + Motion

Hypoxic High: An alpine photo essay

There are parallels... The luck of finding and seizing an optimal weather day, like nabbing the Sankara Stone of Indy lore, is real gift given the fickle Rockies weather at 14,000. I had never climbed with Eric but was confident. Boulder Canyon, our first choice, was on lockdown from the Cold Springs Nederland fire so a low commitment day to see how we worked as a climbing team was not going to happen. At the base I got a text from a friend that said, "Good luck! I have been snowed off that route 3 times!"

When weather, fitness, confidence, high quality rock, good route finding (despite not bringing a topo), uber exposed climbing but relatively solid protection options and partner communication all come together it makes for a rad day. The geologic feature that the Flying Buttress ascends is standout. I have watched it in many different moments while guiding Longs Peak and it was high on the list - a precursor route to climbing the Diamond - a dream of some 20 years...

It was a real gift to get to lead every pitch of this unbelievable route first time out. I am indebted to Eric for allowing this. There is much magic in the mountains... At once humbling and rekindling inspiration.

all images ©Bennett Barthelemy July 2016

The Flying Buttress ascends the shadow and light line close to center

Solo on the "third class" approach pitches

Pitch two ascended the spire and traversed across the 5.9 face to belay at two 1/4 star drive museum piece bolts

Lone Eagle Collective

Still images record snippets of life, pockets of deep realities that the eye may catch but soon release.

I think this is why I like photography, and that static thin dimensional slice of synesthesia that when viewed again adds life, sounds, smells, emotion, pain, feelings into a split second - that can twist, grow, share and illuminate our collective moments...