Ahhh Utah.  I have made it back to the West and more specifically, the snow!  I have been dreaming about powder days and backcountry trips for months now (even while hanging out in board shorts in Hawaii), so it is really exciting to finally be here.

Since leaving St. Louis soon after my last post, El Guapo (the van) and I have traveled roughly 1,500 miles, stopping in Denver, Boulder and Cheyenne to reconnect with old friends and to meet with new ones.  We were on a tight schedule and managed to make it to Salt Lake City just in time for a solid few days of Outdoor Retailer Show (OR) madness.  It was all a bit overwhelming at first, but in the end, I met some great people, learned a lot about the show and connected with some characters I had only previously known through social networking.  And if that wasn’t enough, I somehow managed to try on the new Champion SuperSuit while hearing stories of an expedition to Mount Pumori in the Himalaya.

These tales of experience were everywhere, from adventure racing in Tierra del Fuego to sledge hauling across Antarctica and expeditions on Everest.  It was all pretty impressive, but my favorite story was of a van dweller turned editor.  This was definitely my crowd, and definitely worth the long distance sprint.

I have since spent my time plowing through a few items I haven’t been able to handle in the previously mentioned craziness, but am looking forward to getting on a mountain this weekend and really diving into winter.  In the coming weeks I will be shooting something I have been planning for more than a year, and can’t wait to really have at it.

On a side note, my friend and fellow adventure photographer Michael Clark (no relation) has recently published his new book Digital Masters: Adventure Photography.  It is an all encompassing read on how to capture high-end adventure sports images, from equipment and techniques to the many approaches one can take in becoming a pro.

I learned about this book one morning last spring when I was surprised and honored to receive a call from Michael asking if I would be a resource for the whitewater section.  I of course said yes and am now very proud and excited to announce that it is on the shelves.  You can order one online at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble, or just pick one up at your local bookstore.

Nice work Michael!