Sonora Pass Snowpack, July 11 2023
re: Eastern Sierra
Many years you’ll see a snow load like this in early June or even May.... this is July 12!
I shot this 9-frame 392-megapixel panorama handheld as a documentary image on the way home. Light would have been far nicer 3 hours later, but I wasn’t hanging around. I shoot with what I have when I have to, like here—harsh mid-day lighting in July at high altitude.
BTW, the overhyped climbs on the Tour de France are for wimps compared to many Eastern Sierra climbs: Sonora Pass east side hits 26% grade and the west side is actually steeper and harder for longer. I’ve ridden it, and it’s so steep near the top that you have to lean way forward or the front wheel can easily pop up off the pavement.
Loads of detail here. Logged-in subscribers can study out the snow detail at up to 192 megapixels (33790 size)... kinda fun! See if you can spot any hikers.
The Fujifilm GFX100S + Fujifilm GF 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 is an ideal combination and as I write this the lens is an astonishing bargain at $499.
Fujifilm GFX100S + Fujifilm GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 WR @ 54.6mm equiv (66.4mm) + polarizer Breakthrough Photography X4
ENV: Sonora Pass, altitude 9600 ft / 2926 m, 60°F / 15°C
RAW: LACA corrected, vignetting corrected, WB 5100°K tint 24, push 0.45 stops, +50 Shadows, +10 Whites, +30 Dehaze, +10 Clarity, diffraction mitigating sharpening
melting fast
[low-res image for bot]
