2011 Wrap-Up Sunset Ski Tour

Rob (zerodog) and I went out yesterday evening for a end of 2011 sunset ski tour up at Alta. For the past few years I've been going out for sunset photos on New Year's Eve as a way to sort of finalize my year. This year I actually thought ahead and decided to step it up over a walk around the neighborhood. And I was really happy to have Rob join me. I think it's important to do something symbolic for the New Year and I can't think of anything better than a photo / ski tour at one of my favorite places.

This first batch of photos was taken near the beginning of our hike. We started a little late and the light was already really nice. We're looking west over Alta and down Little Cottonwood Canyon towards Salt lake City, here.

The sun set before we reached the top of our climb so we had to stop. I couldn't pass up this shot of Little Cottonwood Canyon with the Oquirrh Mountains in the background.

The light show went on for a long time. These were taken when we stopped climbing and prepared to ski back down. The sun had probably been down for at least ten minutes. But when conditions are just right the sunsets over the Wasatch go on for a long time.

When we started down it was already pretty dark. By the time we got to the bottom it was definitely dark. There was still a bit of color in the west so I had to take this photo. It's been pushed super hard but I think it still looks pretty decent. I think Rob has a better one because he actually propped his camera up on his pack instead of trying to shoot handheld like me. Hopefully he'll add some of his photos to the thread.

Happy New Year!

This was a great way to spend New Years Eve. I am glad John invited me to go. We just did a quick fun climb up and rode down the groomers in Alta. For some reason, it is soooo much fun to ride a snowboard on the groomed slopes of Alta! (No snowboards in Alta!)

Here are a few of my favorites.

Light getting really nice on the south side slopes.
http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...4RZWVhM-XL.jpg

Some of you will recognize this dude.
http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...fGb3Twd-XL.jpg

Shooting each other.
http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...2GQ8hrQ-XL.jpg

http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...BNp2mDw-XL.jpg

Getting purple
http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...FxmCsDg-XL.jpg

The backpack tripod in action
http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...FSRN4rR-XL.jpg

Serious camera test going on here
.http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...mLXMCPv-XL.jpg

http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...GJsQRPj-XL.jpg

http://www.theinfinitymachine.com/ph...CHJRCFV-XL.jpg

Wow, what a beautiful way and place to kick off 2012!

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Originally Posted by Lori11

Wow, what a beautiful way and place to kick off 2012!

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In spite of a pretty crappy winter season so far, it was a great little outing. For me, it's important to do something symbolic for New Year's and I think this was one of the best things I've done yet :)

Happy New Year!

Heres a terrible photo I took of Rob, heading back down on his snowboard. It's horrible but I figure it's worth posting anyway. I took it with a point-and-shoot and there really wasn't any good way to focus in the dark. Considering the camera and conditions, this is a decent photo - and more importantly, it's the last run of the year!

Later on, Jenni and I participated in some of the more standard New Year's Eve festivities. Here she is, working on her New Year's Day hangover :D

Nice work! Looks like a great way to spend an evening for sure!
Happy New Year!
zerodog are you a splitboarder or did you hoof it?

Great wrap up for the year in pictures. Nice going guys.

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Originally Posted by mattb

Nice work! Looks like a great way to spend an evening for sure!
Happy New Year!
zerodog are you a splitboarder or did you hoof it?

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zerodog is a splitboarder.

Excellent set of photos guys. Great landscape, wish I could be there now. Thanks for sharing.

I wish we had more snow!!!

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Originally Posted by zerodog

I wish we had more snow!!!

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Ditto. I'm putting in more time on the bikes than I am on the skis. And that ain't right!

I love taking pictures in the mountains but I can never get the aspect ratio right. The mountains always look too small when I'm up on the lift. Any suggestions?

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Originally Posted by ggadget

I love taking pictures in the mountains but I can never get the aspect ratio right. The mountains always look too small when I'm up on the lift. Any suggestions?

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That's a great question. But it really deserves to be a separate thread. Start a new discussion and lets talk about it. I've definitely got some ideas :)

Great photos.

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Originally Posted by kodeblue

Great photos.

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Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them :)