Description: I began this piece while guiding a 4-day ski mountaineering trip in the North Cascades this past Spring. On the morning of the 2nd day, changing conditions persuaded us to pivot from the originally planned traverse to base-camping amongst more appropriate terrain. For the next 3 days everything went really well. We covered tons of terrain, skied all the surrounding glaciers and multiple summits - all in perfect powder, safely and without incident - everybody was elated. On the final day, during our descent back to the trail head, one of my clients tore his ACL. We were a LONG way from the trail head. There were still 5 thousand vertical feet, multiple miles, a heinous boulder field, bushwacking and a creek crossing between us and the trailhead. I've done this route countless times; it's very unsavory even without an injury - and I was skeptical he would get out of there without a helicopter. We constructed a usable splint and slowly assisted him skiing, walking, downclimbing and butt-scooching. He made it all the way down! It was a monumental effort on his part, requiring lots of creativity, patience and perseverance from the entire group. The uncertainty and adventure of mountain travel feels similar to my artistic process - albeit a different kind of risk. I always begin a painting with uncertainty and a little fear. I never know how my artwork will turn out until nearing completion. Sometimes I tear the paper up and start over. Sometimes I cover up an area I don't like and just keep going. I alway make "mistakes," adjust and capitalize on them, and in the end those detours become my favorite parts of the painting.

*** this piece does have a crease mark in the middle as I needed to fold it in order to fit into my pack. A lot of my work has this - I think it really adds to the genuine quality, telling the story of it’s journey and that it traveled with me in the backcountry!

Medium: Watercolor and pen/ink on Fabriano 300lb watercolor paper

Dimensions: 30”x 9.5” (unframed) - frame adds about 3 inches to length and width - please reference my “framing” page for examples of my custom frames. If you would like one of my handmade wooden frames, please purchase a “Size 2” frame on my “Frames” page.