To Walk in Wilderness

It's one of the better books at bringing the Colorado Rockies "feel" to the reader, especially among dozens and dozens of books about the Rockies. My only gripe has to do with a quirk of photographer John Fielder's: literally EVERY photo of running water--without exception--uses that "slightly slow shutter speed" trick to create the effect of smooth, airbrushed water. EVERY one. Thus, every river, creek, or stream has cascades of smooth, cloudy white like veils draped over stones. It's a charming technique, but once in a while actually seeing crystal-clear running water in a mountain stream is nice too, you know?

If this is the book I think it is -- I believe I read it cover to cover a couple of years ago -- it is an absolutely beautiful book. The author and photographer went into the Snowmass-Maroon Bells wilderness areas of Colorado for 4 weeks, llamas carrying their loads (which I think included a view camera, so the load was considerable). The result is a book filled with jaw-dropping mountain photography -- sunrise, sunset, alpine meadows sprinkled with lakes and snowfields, wildflowers and crystal-clear skies. If you love high places, you'll love this book.