Weekly Photo Challenge: UP /Wild Weekly Photo Challenge: MOUNTAINS
“May your dreams be larger than mountains, and may you have the courage to scale their summits.”
Harley King
Let me begin by saying, I have always loved the mountains. Not sure why actually, I grew up in a typical suburban neighborhood where the land was quite flat. But I chose to go to a college among the mountains, and have traveled to many wonderful mountain locations around the world. This week, the Weekly Photo Challenge “Up”, and the Let’s Be Wild Weekly Challenge “Mountains” have given me the opportunity to share some of my favorite mountain photos.
“Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer.”
John Muir
I’ve had the wonderful fortune to experience the Alps, the Cascades, the Rockies, the Alaska Range, the Great Dividing Range of Australia, and the Andes – each as fantastic as the next. Snow-capped or covered with flowers, steep or gently sloping, rocky or Alpine – I am totally enamored with them, no matter their shape and form. There is nothing more amazing than looking up toward the summit of one of the world’s great mountains as it climbs ever higher toward the sun.
“It is easier to go down the hill than up; but the view is much better at the top.”
Henry Ward Beecher
As a young college student, I studied abroad. One of my most vivid memories, after arriving with my friends in Austria in the dead of night, was waking in a lovely bed with crisp, lace bordered sheets, surrounded by the magnificent snow-capped Alps. It was the middle of July and the snow, contrasting with the alpine flowers, was amazing. That was a very long time ago but if I close my eyes, I can see it still.
“When planning to climb a mountain, pack a light heart.”
Dan May
Today, I live in an area of the world aptly named “The Lowcountry”, because for the most part we are right at sea level. The contrast of our everyday life by the sea, and our travels to the most mountainous regions of the world, is a dichotomy by which we are amazed and for which we are ever grateful. Because of this contrast, I’m including this post as a response to Ailsa’s Travel Theme for the Week “Contrast“.
All of the photographs in this post are from our trip to Patagonian Chile and Argentina, among the most beautiful and remote places in the world. Hmmm…that sounds like “Tagged P ” for Patagonia 🙂 Please click on the photos for greater clarity and detail.
To see more entries in this week’s photo challenge, click here
I’m participating in the online adventure travel and outdoor photography magazine Wild Weekly Photo Challenge for bloggersThis week’s Challenge is: Mountains!
If your mountainous love affair was kindled in Austria, perhaps you know the Grossglockener?
I have acrophobia and don’t do mountains, but nonetheless was thrilled to have The Big One on view outside my window for a few weeks. (And sometimes the clouds lifted and we could actually see it!)
Must admit I was quite young, and too foolish to think about the names of the peaks. I only know I was surrounded for the first time by 360 degrees of snow-capped peaks in the middle of the heat of summer. It was incredible.
These shots took my breath away!
Thanks so much Fiona! The mountains took mine away as well 🙂
Wow, those are some truly fantastic photos! You are blessed to have been able to visit all of those amazing mountain ranges. I like Sun-kissed Mountainside and Azure most, but all of those are excellent photos.
Thanks Jon – love your work so especially appreciate your lovely compliment.
Well, thank you! 🙂 I’m happy to hear that, in both respects. I really wish I could get out and photograph landscapes more often. Your recent landscape photos have been inspiring me. I may have to head out to the mountains sometime in the next couple of weeks for a change of pace. I’ve spent nearly an entire year doing nothing but bird and a little wildlife photography, but I love landscapes too.
Congratulations on your Let’s Be Wild honor. Beautiful shot.
Wow, Tina, these are stunning. Wow again! Just loved this. xxx Ailsa
Thanks again Ailsa. You rock 🙂
Absolutely stunning photos Tina! 🙂
Thanks Michael, had fun with that one. They’re really something in person!
Very beautiful. Lucky you to have been to all those places, particularly the remote mountains in S. America.
Thanks Lynn! Very lucky indeed!
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Nature, you’ve got to love nature’s beauty, especially when someone can caught that beautifully in photos!;) Wow! amazing shots!
Thanks so much Aian, happy you enjoyed them.
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I love mountains and have been travelling to different parts of the Himalayas for my vacations and they are just as breathtaking!!
Hmmm… may have to add to my bucket list! So many mts, so little time 🙂
well said!!! 🙂
Tina, these are beautiful and so are your words and quotes. You are very blessed to have experienced so much beauty.
I am indeed Emily! Thanks for your comment and compliment.
Fabulous!
Thanks Joy!
wow! as always, you have some stunning images!
still playing catchup with lots of other tasks and hope to be back to let’s be wild next week! i hate to overpost, and i have quite a queue w/o the challenges. this one is tempting, but i have to get back to painting! z
Thanks Zee-glad to see you! Go back and paint. Just post photos of your finished products for us to enjoy 🙂
So beautiful! I love “Azure”!
Thank you Heather. Azure truly was the most amazing color!
They are all lovely, but I think “Sun-Kissed Mountainside” is my favorite.
Thanks so much – actually I think that’s my favorite also. Always about the light, isn’t it?!
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Wow, these are just so stunning, and like you I’ve always loved mountains. They call to something very deep within me. I feel soothed and energised all at the same time just looking at your photos. Stunning!
Thanks so much Seonaid – Soothing and energizing, I like that! It describes my feelings too. Appreciate your comment.
They’re really beautiful pictures, Tina. I especially love the Azure one, breathtaking! 🙂
Thanks so much Angel. I was really happy that the color came through true in the photo as it was an amazing sight!
It is indeed. My pleasure! 🙂
Spectacular shots Tina…love the touch of red from the roofs in the Andes shot and the Azure pic is nature at its finest. I’m guessing it was hard to walk away from that view.
Thanks so much Andy. Yes the view was spectacular. I kept wondering if someone actually lived in that little house in the middle of the lake!!!
The first photo is amazing and the azure lake – wow. There’s one a bit like that in NZ’s South Island – Lake Tekapo.
Thanks very much Mrs Carmichael! We spent 3 weeks on NZ’s South Island several years ago and were blown away by the beauty of your little island. Hope to come back some day.
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Oh thank you for your concern Tina. Actually I need to watch out for the Scourbon. 😉
Beatiful mountain shots Tina. However, the first one when first came up blew my mind. It looked like you had posted it upside down. A second look confirmed, I must have been upside down. 😉
Uh oh Jerry, do I need to start worrying about you?! glad it straightened out (or you did!)
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Your mountain pictures are fabulous, Tina. I definitely need to visit Patagonia. 🙂
Why thanks Catbird! Yes, you definitely do. Wonder how far away you are there in Oman?!?!
Very far, I’m afraid. But I’ll be back in the USA soon and then much closer!! Haha. 🙂
There’s so much beauty in these photos, Tina! And Azure together with the Dan May’s quote just makes me want to pack a bag and disappear somewhere out there… 🙂
Thanks Ese – it’s such an amazing color with spectacular scenery all around it. Definitely a bucket-list must see 🙂
Beautiful shots, Tina! I like the Cuernos del Paine very much.
Thank you Stefano, it was a fantastic trip to an amazingly beautiful part of the world.
Beautiful pictures! I love mountains for many reasons as well, especially for the ability to see just forever!
Agree whole-heartedly! Thanks for your comment 🙂
“It is easier to go down the hill than up;
but the view is much better at the top.”
– Henry Ward Beecher
Thanks FT! Enjoyed your “possessions”
Sent from my iPad
maybe you can see the photo on your iPad?
But of course! It’s a wonderful shot.
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Beautiful mountains!
Thanks Jane….fond memories 🙂
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I always love mountains, too. These breathtaking photos make me love even more.
Thanks Amy. I meant to say I’m a nature freak, which is better than being a freak of nature, but I forgot 🙂 Based on your lovely photos I know you are too!
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It looks like a painted back drop! Just beautiful! lee
Thanks Cuz!!
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Look at all that your travels have amounted to.
Definitely, thanks Steve!
Thank you for sharing your “mountain top experiences” with us.. Breathtaking! Linda
And thank you for sharing your thoughts on them with me!
Gorgeous mountainscapes Tina! Absolutely love that last shot.
Thanks Madhu. That one was taken on the way to see the glaciers. The color of the water is exactly as the photo shows it. Its incredible.
WOW!!! How beautiful…love it all!
Thank you Folly Girl! I had fun reminiscing while I put the post together!
Oh, I just love mountains Tina. They are so majestic and beautiful. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photo’s and post. 🙂 *hugs*
My pleasure Sonel, thanks for enjoying them!
Such beautiful photos…..
Thank you Barbara! And for the ping back as well.
Hi Tina, I would like to take the credit for the ping back, but it was someone else. Anyways I got to their site and thanks for sending to me to them. The cat photos were great. We enjoyed them. Liked your photos too….
LOL, sorry about that! Glad you enjoyed the cats as much as I did!
We have two so we enjoy the photos. Do you follow Caturday on Top Ten?
No, never heard of it. Will check it out, thanks!
Each Saturday he has Caturday… Here is the link.
http://theverybesttop10.com/2013/04/20/images-of-the-cats-of-tashirojima-island/
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Beautiful photos! There is nothing like looking up to the mountains for a source of help and strength..
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
My sentiments exactly Francine, thanks for checking in! They also do a great job of helping us to maintain our perspective!
Breathtaking Tina!
Thanks Dree! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Absolutely stunning Tina! Kudos~
Thank you Cindy! I enjoyed reminiscing about our mountain travels while I put it together ! We are headed to China in September so I’m hopeful there will be many new shots in my collection!
Beautiful Patagonia photos. I would love to go there. Dolomites were first on my list, so that is where I am headed this summer. Thanks for visiting my blog. I love your website. You had me with the video and George singing “Here Comes the Sun”.
Hmmm….need to add the Dolomites to my bucket list 🙂 Thanks for the lovely compliments on my shots and my website. A good reminder that I need to do an update with some new photos. So much to do, so little time!
OMG….I am absolutely mesmerized by your talent….WOW….these are SPECTACULAR…..I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to experience them…”looking up” blows me away…..thank u!
Thanks April! The Looking Up scene actually blew me away when I saw it – can you imagine seeing that out your back window every day?!?!
Wow, Tina! You have rendered me (almost) speechless! Your photography always takes my breath away, but these have touched my soul. What a gift!
Take care, and have a beautiful weekend!!
Elisa
Elisa, what a lovely compliment, thank you so much. You have more than made my day 🙂 A wonderful weekend to you too!
Stunning images Tina.
Thank you Edith, I always feel humble in the presence of such majesty.
Beautiful landscapes!
Thanks Pete – Appreciate your comment and your visit!
Those mountains (and your photos) take my breath away.
Thanks so much for your comment. They really are breathtaking, that’s well said!
I’ve always loved the water, but these mountain views might make me rethink serenity.
Thanks Cindy! Tough choice, that’s for sure. I’m all about AND, not OR !