Landscapes - H Peter Ji Photography

Landscapes

Simple and yet quite pleasing
JMT DAY 22 - SUNSET AT SAWMILL PASS JUNCTION Sunset at Sawmill Pass Junction Our upbeat march became a strenuous climb in the rough, rocky terrain toward Pinchot Pass (12,090 ft). We were constantly huffing and puffing while gaining an elevation of over 2,000 feet. All I could think of at that moment was that I hated my heavy backpack. While going up the switchbacks, we ran across a mule pack coming down the pass. I was quite impressed by the horses and mules going up and down this treacherous terrain, filled with loose rocks. Once we reached the pass, we took a well deserved break. The views from up there were quite amazing. Probably more overwhelmed by the accomplishment though. We came down the pass safely and hiked through quite a barren part of the trail, still above the treeline, along the huge mountain crest to our left, whose focal point was Mt. Perkins. We continued losing elevation all the way to Sawmill Pass Junction, where we ended up camping. It was an equally challenging trudge while losing over 2,300 ft in elevation as the climb earlier. And I was really happy to end our day here. Because the view of Acrodectes Peak (13,182 ft) and its crest cast with a gorgeous orange and red glow was simple and yet quite pleasing.
Scattered shades of light
JMT DAY 22 - MORNING NEAR SOUTH FORK KINGS RIVER Morning near South Fork Kings River The forest where our campground near South Fork Kings River was tucked in was quite dense, so it wasn’t easy to capture the sunset. Beside, we were completely exhausted. At least, I was. I got some shots of the peaks barely seen through the forest, but that was about it. The winds found it way through the forest. It was cold. Soon night fell. We crawled into our own tents early. Next morning, those skinny, tall pines still made it difficult to capture the sunrise. And it felt colder because they were good at blotting out the sun. We were sluggishly. Before breaking camp, the juxtaposition of my older Fly Creek tent against Henry’s newest while the sun was bursting through the forest caught my eye. The scattered shades of light cast on trees and plants and our illuminated tents begged for a snap. And I would never decline such an opportunity. Till we left the campground, the sun never rose high enough to wrap us in warmth. But then again, what was ahead of us was an elevation gain of over 2,000 ft, and we knew that climbing Pinchot Pass (12,090 ft) would definitely make us gasp for air often and sweat like crazy in the sun.

I could taste stillness
JMT DAY 19 - LE CONTE CANYON AT SUNRISE Le Conte Canyon at sunrise When I woke up, it was quite dark. It felt darker probably because our campsites were immersed in the forest. The tall pines hovering over us felt like giant creatures. As my lungs were busy filling up frigid air, I felt my fingers titillating as if they were stretching. Still adjusting to the dim surroundings, my eyes were slowly hunting for my gear inside the tent. Once reaching the trail, I traced it back down to where we came the day before. And soon I emerged from the forest and was greeted by the spectacular sight of Le Conte Canyon. Now, with a dose of newly charged eagerness, I scurried up the rocky slope, found a huge boulder as large as a mid-size SUV and climbed it. What unfolded before my eyes was the canyon, which had already taken my breath away the day before when we were coming down from Helen Lake, slowly waking up to the gorgeous hues of Earth’s Shadow. I could taste the stillness. As if time stood still. As if nothing mattered after that moment. My mind was surely harnessing the inspiration of the stillness. I was about to buoy up into the air. Soon, the ridges and the Citadel (11,748 ft) were painted in bright orange while the ambient light was slowly flooding the entire canyon.

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