Valve Job • T minus 8 days

Next week, 22 July 2014 is my scheduled Open Heart Surgery to fix my leaky Mitral Valve. I'm feeling prepared mentally for the surgery and the long recovery. I know what to expect and feel at peace with it all. I know I'll do great, I'm strong, fit, healthy and mentally prepared. I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to one of my recovery goals of standing on the summit of Mt. Shasta for a 4th time. Hopefully as soon as next year's climbing season. Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen are our backyard volcanoes.

Working on all the things I feel I need to get done before my surgery, paying bills, invoicing clients, processing photos, setting up fundraising print galleries on my website, setting up final interview for my upcoming short documentary film, scouting locations, the list is long, the time is short.

The important thing to keep in mind is that I will do what I can do, because I need to be there for me, that is the primary.

Special thanks to my return home support crew, my wife who has been fantabulous, my mother in-law, and our 2 young daughters. Thank you in advance for all you will be doing for me in my time of need. 

So to briefly distract my attention... 

I'll talk about my image Mt. Shasta • View From the Summit

Image made with Olympus Stylus Epic point and shoot film camera.

It was July 2001 and I was leading a couple friends up the standard route, Avalanche Gulch. I had taken both my climbing film cameras, the medium format Fuji GA645zi camera and my point and shoot Olympus Stylus Epic. I didn't think there would be good enough conditions to lug my medium format film camera, so I left it in the truck and took only my point and shoot film camera.

Upon arriving on the summit of Mt. Shasta the clouds started moving in and I was able to make the below image. Shortly thereafter the mountain was socked in a complete white out, making our way back to base camp was an adventure. I'm happy to report we made it back safely.

I've had a life-long passion for creating images with consumer cameras. I feel that if I can make a compelling image from my cheapest camera, making compelling images from my pro level gear is easy. As the saying goes, "The best camera is the one you have with you." 

Mt Shasta "View From the Summit"Please email which image and option you would like to order.

Also include your shipping address (or pickup) and phone number.



Level 1:
Made to order signed 8x10" lustre print
$50 (+shipping)
You will need to frame print(s) yourself.


Level 2:
Made to Order 16x20" signed canvas prints
Prints come ready to hang on your wall.

$150 (+shipping)

These will come with a personalized thank you note and my caption for the photo purchased.