Total Trust, a photo from Quebec, Central

Photographer's Note

Another in my series of the international ice climbing competition along the slate canyon of the Jacques Cartier river.
As I walked under this particular climber, I couldn't help but think what total trust in nature he must have to thread his way through these gigantic icicles that seem to be so delicately attached to the cliff wall.
These masses of ice weigh hundreds of tonnes and it is always my fear that they will break off and send the climber to a crushing death below.
But years of experience allows them to "read" the ice much like a canoeist would "read" the rapids before heading into danger.
In fact, a few minutes after taking this photo,the second icicle to his left(excluding the overhead one) broke off when he kicked it with his foot to test it.The sound of it shattering to hundreds of pieces at the base was eerie and echoed through the entire canyon...all heads turned to this section and were relieved to see him continue his climb via another route.

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Critiques | Translate

rich7691 (355) 2004-02-24 17:02

Fantastique quelle belle prise j'aime l'angle avec l'alpiniste cela donne une bonne idée de la grosseur des stalactites qui son accroché à la parois. Et beau cadrage

Michael_Gan (2776) 2004-02-24 17:08

Very nice shot with beautifully shaped ice structures. The colours of the climber make him stand out very well and his presence gives a good idea of the scale of the icicles.

ninadev (5377) 2004-02-24 17:11

Great angle for that shot again, they icicles really look like spears threatening the climber and maybe also the partner who is securing him down below. I like this climber right in the center of the image.

jmaddocks (563) 2004-02-24 18:55

Hi Derek. WOW! What an incredible shot. Just looking at this shot makes me think that the ascent is impossible. The shot is not as sharp as I might like, but I still love it. Your note is excellent!

Well done!

RobBrown (1797) 2004-02-24 19:17

Yet again these Ice pictures are so well captured, the details so well preserved in the ice not at the expence of the man and rock, so difficult well done and to cap it all some superb notes/ story to accompany it deserves more than 2points available.

Motrem (2392) 2004-02-25 11:19

Votre note est très intéressante et c'est bien ce que j'ai vu en allant sur le site, des parties de glaçons qui tombent à tout instant. Si vous avez marché en dessous, aviez-vous un casque? C'est un véritable danger ces masses de glaces....
J'aime bien la composition de votre photo même si le personnage est en plein centre et que l'image soit un peu floue. Au-delà ce ces petites chicanes, j'aime beaucoup.

ClaudeC (136) 2004-02-26 18:51

Wow, amazing, the colours are beautifull, very good contrast. Realy nice to see.

jrj (34843) 2004-02-29 9:31

Wow, very creative and well mastered shot of this climber. And I think I would not have liked to be under this hanging ice. Great job Derek

ianmcall (1213) 2004-03-10 0:02

Shudder. Scenes like this amaze and mystify me; I simply can't comprehend the why of it.

You have a terrific angle and composition on a thrilling spectacle. Well done.