*Wednesday, January 9
Wednesday I had originally planned on heading back to Kansas, but then it was supposed to almost hit 60 degrees and I couldn’t resist staying. We took a long walk with the twins, with stops for caramel apples and popcorn along the way.
*Tuesday, January 8
Tuesday my sister-in-law and I went on some short hikes to a couple of waterfalls in the canyon so I could get some pictures. The sun poked out at the last-minute, giving me some stunning light on the cliffs. I definitely want to go back to this place and take some longer exposures (and proper ones, on a tripod). And I would like to make it my goal to make it to both waterfalls in every season, and shoot them in the same spot. Hopefully I can make it happen sooner than later.
*Monday, January 7
Monday morning my brother and I got up and went for a quick (relatively speaking) climb up Bridal Veil Falls. It was a bit easier than the ice climb on Sunday, so a bit more fun for me. It was quite the different situation than the day before though. This time my brother was belaying from the top, and when I got up there we were able to hike up the frozen stream bed for a while. It was absolutely beautiful up there, and I find myself already missing the canyon. I also got to clean an anchor and rappel for the first time after we were done, which was exciting (though admittedly slightly nerve-wracking at first). Again, this day calls for multiple photographs, so I hope you enjoy!
I thought I would share another of me in action.
The view right at the top of the falls.
And last but not least, my favorite shot from the day after rappelling down.
*Sunday, January 6
Sunday was an awesome day, and so it calls for multiple pictures. My brother, his friend and I got up early and headed to one of the ice climbing spots in Spearfish Canyon. It was my first time ice climbing, but I am hooked (unfortunately I live nowhere near a place to ice climb). After we all had a chance to get on the ice we packed up and went rock climbing just up the canyon a bit. It definitely reignited my desire to climb again. My school just finished a climbing wall in the rec center, so I plan on checking it out as soon as it is open.
Not taken by me (obviously), but I thought I would share one of me ice climbing.
My brother leading the climb.
Abigail Thompson Photography 