Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => Landscape Showcase => Topic started by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 07, 2020, 05:58:25 pm

Title: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 07, 2020, 05:58:25 pm
In the late 1960s I was a graduate student at Tufts University. My dissertation advisor was a logician and a mountain climber, and while I was writing my dissertation he mentioned that he would be away for a few months as he had been chosen to be on a Mount Everest expedition. His expedition failed, as many do, but he came back many months later alive, for which I was grateful.

Having seen many of the world's best wilderness areas, I believed him when he said that Lake Oesa in the Canadian Rockies was the most beautiful mountain lake he had ever seen.

Based on that recommendation, my wife and I planned a three-week trip to the Canadian Rockies for the summer of 1977. Later I will post some images from our favorite park, Yoho National Park, which we returned to in 1987 (with our ten-year-old son) and again in 2004.

I will eventually post six  sections to this thread:  1.  Floe Lake backpack, 2. Lake Louise vicinity, 3. Wiwaxy Gap at Lake O'Hara, 4. Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, 5. Lakes Oesa and Mcarthur, and 6. Twin Falls Chalet in the Yoho Valley.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (Pix reprocessed)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 07, 2020, 06:03:33 pm
1.  Floe Lake backpack

Our 1977 trip started with a three-day backpack to Floe Lake in Kootenay National Park. There is now a backcountry campground and Warden's Cabin at the north end of the lake. There were no such amenities when we were there, and the vegetation has changed considerably since a major forest fire struck the area in 2003.

Here is Floe Lake and the towering headwall in 1977, and the view north from Numa Pass, a short dayhike from the lake.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: RSL on June 07, 2020, 07:39:19 pm
Good shooting, Eric. Interesting stuff.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: schertz on June 07, 2020, 07:50:36 pm
When I visited Banff/Jasper/Yoho last summer, lake O'Hara and the hike up to lake Oesa were my favourite part of the entire trip, even though it was a bit challenging with a grumpy 6 year old in tow. I'm looking forward to seeing your images and how the area has changed over time.

-Mike
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 07, 2020, 08:02:21 pm
Thanks Russ and Mike.

I'll have the next installment up in a couple of days.

-Eric
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (Revised)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 08, 2020, 05:05:05 pm
2.   Lake Louise vicinity

We did some dayhikes in several of the nearby National Parks: Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho, as well as Glacier and Mount Revelstoke. Our favorites were Lake Louise in Banff National Park  and Yoho National Park.

Here ia a sampling of the Lake Louise area: Vermillion Lake, somewhere nearby, Moraine Lake (corrected) (it really is that color,) the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (revised)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 08, 2020, 05:06:38 pm
Climbers on the Columbia Ice Field, and nearby misty scenes.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: schertz on June 08, 2020, 05:54:11 pm
(Set2):
An interesting look at the vermilion lakes, almost everyone points their camera in the other direction towards Rundle, so it's nice to see a different interpretation. Your "Emerald Lake" image is actually Moraine Lake from the rock pile. The second image is from the Lake O'Hara area in Yoho, taken from around Little Odaray looking towards Lake Oesa with Mount Yukness in the centre. In your last image, the light on Mount Babel is gorgeous, simply stunning.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: schertz on June 08, 2020, 05:55:17 pm
I really like the last image of your third set!
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: guido on June 09, 2020, 07:22:42 am
Beautiful work Eric! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: RSL on June 09, 2020, 09:19:14 am
+ Many
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 10:22:42 am
Thanks, folks.

And thanks for the corrections, Schertz. My notes aren't that detailed, and my memory ain't what it used to be. Future corrections will be appreciated, too. I gather you have spent time in the lovely Lake O'Hara region more recently than I have. I'd love to see some of your photos of that area.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (revised)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 10:27:02 am
More Canadian Rockies.

3.   Lake O'Hara --- Wiwaxy Gap

We then spent a week camping near Lake O'Hara. Lake O'Hara is a beautiful lake, surrounded by mountains and several high-level mountain lakes, including Lake Oesa. On one of our first dayhikes we encountered a park ranger whom we asked about trails to Lake Oesa. He saw the way we were equipped and clearly thought we were more experienced mountain hikers than we were, so he suggested we take the "Alpine" (i.e., for serious hikers only) trail by way of Wiwaxy gap. The trail, about one foot wide, went up a 40-degree talus slope until we finally got to the col (elevation gain = 495 meters or 1624 feet.)

The first picture shows Lake O'Hara as viewed from Opabin Plateau.
The next shows Wiwaxy Gap at the top, a bit of Lake O'Hara at the bottom, and the beginning switchbacks of the trail to Wiwaxy, starting at the lower left corner of the image.
The third is a view back toward Wiwaxy from the tril leading down to Lake Oesa, and the last image is the view from Wiwaxy Gap in the general direction of Lake Louise.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (revised)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 10:34:57 am
4.   Lake O'Hara
There is a superb lodge on the shore of Lake O'Hara. On our first visit, we camped in the nearby campground, but had one excellent breakfast in the lodge. The next two trips we stayed in the lodge, making our reservations a year in advance.

The first image is looking up toward Opabin Plateu, from Lake O'Hara. The second is of a small lake on Opabin Plateau. The third is looking down at Lake O'Hara (on the right) and other nearby lakes. The fourth is a stream running down from Opabin to O'Hara.

Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: RSL on June 09, 2020, 10:36:18 am
Some truly wonderful stuff, Eric. Love the light in that last one.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (revised)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 10:37:07 am
Thanks, Russ. Here is more:

The first image is my wife and son looking down at the Morning Glory Lakes from well above Lake O'Hara. The second is an avalanche near Lake O'Hara,  the third is another look back at Wiwaxy Gap, and the last is another avalanche, this one at the rear of Lake Louise..
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: schertz on June 09, 2020, 12:39:38 pm
A beautiful set of photographs from an amazing wilderness. The area looks almost exactly the same there as when we went last summer (although 40 years is just a blink geologically speaking). We weren't able to get a spot at the O'Hara lodge, but were lucky enough to snag a ride in on the school bus for a day trip. With two kids in tow (and my wife a bit afraid of heights) we took the more direct route up to Lake Oesa using the switchbacks shown in your CR77_15 image above (the route to the Wiwaxy gap goes up earlier along that avalanche path seen to the left in CR77_26). That path was way too challenging for us, but the direct route to Oesa was ok. We didn't get a chance to explore the Opabin plateau last time, but it's on our bucket list for the next trip.
Great catch on the avalanche!
Cheers,
Mike
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 02:30:25 pm
After that first adventure using the Wiwaxy Gap trail to get to Oesa in 1977, we took the direct route in both 1987 and 2004.

Opabin Plateau is a good hike and a fine area to explore. The hike up is steep but short, with no great exposure, and one can wander around lakes and nice scenery before descending again. The hike out to Lake Mcarthur is longer, but fairly easy, and the lake is a fine one.

Now might be a good time to reserve at Lake O'Hara Lodge for next summer. But it might already be too late.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (modified)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 07:44:17 pm
6.   Twin Falls Chalet

After finishing our stay near ake O'Hara, we did a long day hike up the Yoho River Valley to the Twin Falls Chalet (then a Teahouse) near Twin Falls. We had tea and home-baked goodies and learned that there were several bunk rooms that one could reserve for an overnight stay. On the first trip we returned via the Highline Trail, and for our next two trips we reserved places at the tea house.
By the third trip the Highline Trail had been closed and a new trail, even higher, called the Iceline Trail took us back to our car at Takakkaw Falls. This trail skirted just under the edges of several small glaciers, and provided magnificent views.

We learned that the Chalet had been owned and operated for many years by an elderly but lively woman named Fran Drummond, whom we guessed to be in her 70s when we first visited. I just checked on the web and learned that as of 2019, Fran was still operating the Chalet, while a young relative (niece?) handled reservations. The Chalet website is no longer up, so I expect the pandemic has closed the Chalet, at least for the coming season.

Photos: Twin Falls; the Chalet; Fran Drummond--proprietor of the Chalet since the early 1960s; and a nearby walk,
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (revised)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 07:46:02 pm
A view of Trolltinder Mountain across th Yoho Valley from the Chalet; the same mountain plus a visitor; a bridge over the stream above Twin Falls at the start of a day hike; A downpour occurred while we were hiking, and this is what it looked like when we had to cross back.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...) (revised)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 09, 2020, 07:48:27 pm
Two views of the Iceline Trail on our return trip; Takakkaw Falls where our car was parked; and a stream crossing near the end.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: RMW on June 09, 2020, 11:09:25 pm
Thank you Eric.

Every one excellent and to be proud of.

Richard
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: schertz on June 10, 2020, 08:45:28 am
Thanks Eric, these are really great.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the teahouse keeper, the goat, and the more expansive context of Takakkaw falls. Did you get a chance to see the falls up close? The force of the spray at the base is something else.

Cheers,
Mike
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 10, 2020, 10:01:37 am
Thanks Eric, these are really great.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the teahouse keeper, the goat, and the more expansive context of Takakkaw falls. Did you get a chance to see the falls up close? The force of the spray at the base is something else.

Cheers,
Mike
Yes, we got close to the bottom of Takakkaw Falls. It is quite spectacular and probably the easiest to get to of any similar spectacle. Just park you car and walk a few steps.

Thank you Richard and Mike.

I should mention that on our last trip to Lake O'Hara in 2004, we were walking the level Lake O'Hara shoreline trail and encountered an elderly gent looking up toward Oesa and Opabin and shaking his head. It seems he had been coming to Lake O'Hara Lodge for many years, and he was deeply regretful that he could no longer hike any of the trails leading up into the nearby mountains.

Having just turned 82, I understand just how he felt. I'm just glad I have the photos and memories ...
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: LesPalenik on June 13, 2020, 04:57:42 am
Beautiful collection of images, Eric. Thank you for sharing them.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 13, 2020, 05:06:56 pm
Thank you, Les.

Since I can't get out these days to glorious locations, I get a lot of satisfaction reliving past exploits.

-Eric

Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Rajan Parrikar on June 13, 2020, 06:52:58 pm
Thank you, Les.

Since I can't get out these days to glorious locations, I get a lot of satisfaction reliving past exploits.

-Eric

+1. One of the major perks of doing photography.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 13, 2020, 07:38:55 pm
Thanks, Rajan.

And one reason I prefer the modern "electronic" photography to the old "chemical" kind is that once I scanned what I thought were the best of my old Kodachromes, I have recently been having images come to mind of ones I skipped and wish that I had scanned.

That slide, might be around here somewhere, but if it were on my computer, I know I could find it.   :(

-Eric
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: sdwilsonsct on June 14, 2020, 10:19:15 am
Fine stuff, Eric. Have you thought of processing these scans? Enjoy the best of both worlds?
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 16, 2020, 01:19:42 pm
Fine stuff, Eric. Have you thought of processing these scans? Enjoy the best of both worlds?
Good suggestion, Scott.
I have actually reprocessed most of them, but my faulty color vision makes it difficult to get things right. My wife often says, "The colors are wrong," and I say "Can you be more specific?", but she can't .

Any suggestions for specific tweaks would be welcome!
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: sdwilsonsct on June 17, 2020, 11:13:05 am
I have actually reprocessed most of them, but my faulty color vision makes it difficult to get things right.

Hi Eric,
I should have assumed that you had processed them.  ::) Here's a specific suggestion that will help with colour difficulty: try some in B+W, especially the foggy lake scenes.  You have probably already done this as well!

Great to see some images from one of my favorite areas.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Dave (Isle of Skye) on June 17, 2020, 12:37:50 pm
I have actually reprocessed most of them, but my faulty color vision makes it difficult to get things right. My wife often says, "The colors are wrong," and I say "Can you be more specific?", but she can't .

Any suggestions for specific tweaks would be welcome!

Have you tried letting Photoshop colour balance your images for you?

If not, then try the following:

1 - Work on an image until you think it is complete.
2 - Flatten the image into a single layer.
3 - Duplicate the layer with Ctrl + J
4 - With the upper layer highlighted, hold down Ctrl + Shift and then tap the letter B.
5 - PS will then try to find your image's white and black point and based on this will then colour balance your image - it will also try to add the appropriate amount of contrast at the same time, but to bypass that if you don't like this additional contrast, then just turn this upper layer's blend mode to Colour.
6 - If you like what you see (and your wife agrees), then flatten the image and you are done.

If that doesn't work to your wife's eye Eric, then you could try going a little deeper into the technicalities of applying a final colour balance to your work with PS, by following this tutorial on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-W44JJToG8), which will also tell you how to reset the auto white balance process your copy of PS chooses to use by default.

Hope this help  ;)

Dave
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 18, 2020, 10:22:39 am
Thanks Scott and Dave fo the useful tips.

Of course, after fifty years of wet darkroom work, my tendency is often to convert most images to B&W.

The color-balancing-using-PS is a new one to me. I'll definitely try that.

I'll get my wife to pick the ones with the biggest color problems and try both B&W conversion and the PS-balance trick.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 19, 2020, 12:13:09 pm
Dave,

I have tried your PS suggestion on a few of my Canadian Rockies Kodachrome scans, and I posted some samples over under User Critiques. My wife thinks they are improved. More comments are invited.

Thanks for that suggestion.

-Eric
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 23, 2020, 01:26:15 pm
I have now run Dave's suggested procedure on all of the images I posted in this thread and replaced the old versions on all the posts. I also ran across a few that I had intended to post in the Lake O'Hara section but forget to. So here they are: two images of Lake Oesa and one of Lake McArthur. These are two of the many lakes that are day-hikeable from Lake O'Hara.

-Eric

Again, Thank you Dave for your suggestion for having PS correct my color balance. I have made an action, and now, using the Batch procedure I can easily reprocess a whole folder of images with one simple procedure.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Rajan Parrikar on June 23, 2020, 01:52:24 pm
Excellent. Enjoyed the CR gallery on your website.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 23, 2020, 05:42:19 pm
Thanks, Rajan.

That;s my next big project: reprocessing all the galleries on my website. I'll start with the CR gallery, since I've reprocessed many of them already for LuLa.
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: rabanito on June 23, 2020, 06:04:00 pm

4 - With the upper layer highlighted, hold down Ctrl + Shift and then tap the letter B.

Dave

Now now!

I tried one of Eric's pics  in Filter/ CR - White Balance and setting the eyedropper on the clouds.
Not very good, kind of greenish things
Using Dave's method I get a much more satisfactory result.
I learned again something new

What happened?


Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on June 24, 2020, 10:26:36 am
Now now!

I tried one of Eric's pics  in Filter/ CR - White Balance and setting the eyedropper on the clouds.
Not very good, kind of greenish things
Using Dave's method I get a much more satisfactory result.
I learned again something new

What happened?
Good question. All I can say is that PhotoShop's color vision is better than mine.

It reminds me of the answer given by the father of a childhood friend when asked how an automobile works:
"You pour water in the front and gasoline in the rear and they mix in the middle and make the car go."   ;)
Title: Re: Looking back part 3: Canadian Rockies (1977-...)
Post by: rabanito on June 24, 2020, 11:22:41 am

It reminds me of the answer given by the father of a childhood friend when asked how an automobile works:
"You pour water in the front and gasoline in the rear and they mix in the middle and make the car go."   ;)

Hahaha!
I was wondering about that too.
Now I know  ;D ;D