Going back through my library of photographs from 2017, I was able to truly discover how memorable it was. This 2017 Photo Essay will will take you along with me through the past year. We will experience all the outdoor adventures and stunning landscapes captured through the lens of my camera.
Year In Review : A 2017 Photo Essay of Outdoor Adventures
From California to Vancouver Island the year was full of stunning views that I hope you will enjoy. Special thanks to Campbell River Tourism, BC Ferries, Tourism Tofino, Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce and Black Ball Ferry Lines for the marketing projects . Additionally it was a fun year working with Altitude Sports, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, CV Collective Mag, Mill Bay Marine Group and Nanaimo Hospitality Association.
Vancouver Island
The diversity of Vancouver Island is what makes it so spectacular. Tofino’s world famous beaches, Strathcona Park’s magnificent mountains and Carmanah Walbran’s ancient old growth forest were highlights.
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- Surfing into the Sunset – Tofino
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- Its a Dog’s Life – Chesterman Beach
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- West Coast Golden Hour – Tofino
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- Minna Ridge – Alpine Hiking
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- Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
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- Strathcona Park – 49 North Helicopters
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- Elk Falls Provincial Park
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- Pacific Dolphins Quadra Island
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- Mount Septimus, Nine Peaks & Big Interior
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- East Sooke Coast Trail
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- Strathcona Park Sunset
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- Cheewhat Giant – Pacific Rim Ntnl Park
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- Mount Victoria and Warden
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- Inaugural Sailing of BC Ferries Salish Eagle
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- BC Ferries sailing Brentwood Bay with Mt Baker
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- Blessing Ceremony – John Marston Salish Canoe
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- Mill Bay Marina
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- Port Sidney Marina
Canadian Rockies
Defining the border of Alberta and British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies are an iconic landscape. I didn’t get to climb any mountains this year that I had hoped in the Rockies but still managed a few photos. Black and white photos to me is the best way to showcase these giants for my 2017 Photo Essay.
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- Mt Sir Donald – Glacier National Park
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- Mt Rundle – Banff National Park
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- Mt Stephen – Yoho National Park
Mountain Biking
One thing I don’t share much of is all the mountain bike riding I do. Next to hiking and climbing mountains this is where I spent the majority of my time. The local Cowichan Valley mountains of Mount Tzouhalem and Maple Mountain are my go to spots. Trevor Thew is a fast local racer and one heck of a trail builder too. Nanaimo offered some cool trails and images on a visit in the spring.
Then comes Mark Matthews (Check out his website) , a talented professional adventure mountain biker. This year I spent a good amount of time with Mark and we had an incredible riding roadtrip in Port Angeles and Bellingham, Washington. Thanks to local rider Mitch Lee of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for showing us the amazing Bellingham trails.
Mountain Bike 2017 Photo Essay Round-up
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- Nanaimo Mountain Bike Trails
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- Nanaimo Mountain Bike Trails
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- Mount Tzouhalem – Trevor Thew
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- Mount Tzouhalem – Trevor Thew
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- Mount Tzouhalem – Trevor Thew
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- Mount Tzouhalem – Trevor Thew
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- Port Anglese Trails with Mt Baker behind
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- Huge Cedars on Chuckanut Mountain
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- Hitting the trails near Bellingham
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- Mark Matthews railing berms – Bellingham
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- Mountain Biking and Toyota go hand in hand
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- Chuckanut Mountain – Double Black Diamond
United States Road Trips
For it’s proximity to Vancouver Island and ease of getting there I made several trips to the Olympic Peninsula. The most memorable trip for my 2017 Photo Essay was a Tourism project with Black Ball Ferry Line and Olympic Hiking Co. We were able to experience everything the Peninsula and Olympic National Park had to offer.
Mount Baker was a crazy adventure with some good friends who are always up to a challenge. We decided we would travel by car and then ferry to reach the trailhead, summit the 10,000 plus ft peak and then return to Vancouver Island all in one day.
California was a whirlwind trip with a great climbing partner and included a very long non stop drive from Vancouver Island. Eastern Sierra granite and mountains was the objective successfully climbing 4 peaks in 4 days. My very first 14,000 foot summit was achieved by scaling the East Ridge of Mount Russell.
Olympic Peninsula – Washington
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- Sunset on Second Beach
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- Stunning Ruby Beach
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- Bridge across Sol Duc Falls
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- Hole in the Wall Rialto Beach
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- Hurricane Ridge
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- Sunset on Second Beach
Mount Baker – Washington
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- Coleman Deming Route to Mt Baker Summit
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- Large Crevasses are a major route hazard
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- Mt Rainier in the far distance
Eastern Sierra – California
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- Eastern Sierra outside of Bishop
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- Mount Dana Summit
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- Whitney Portal
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- Mount Conness North Ridge
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- At the 1st Tower on Mt Conness North Ridge
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- Looking back down at Roxy on the ridge
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- North Fork Route Whitney Portal
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- Mt Whitney from Mt Russell summit
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- Piute Pass from Mt Emerson summit
Where Do We Go Next
After going through these images to create my 2017 photo essay I can’t wait for what 2018 has in store. I know I will do my best to #ExploreBeyondTheUsual as always. Returning to California’s Eastern Sierra is planned. Due to poor weather we didn’t get to climb Mt Whitney. In October I have a big mountain biking and hiking trip planned for Moab which should be a blast.
You can follow me throughout the year on Instagram at @Stasher_BC to join me everyday on my adventures.
What is your favourite memory from this year?
What do you hope to do in 2018?
I would love to hear what you have to say in the comments below.
Thanks for sharing your amazing 2017! Awesome photos, as always.
I was so busy this year and felt I missed out on a lot of trips I had planned. Now looking back all that work turned out to be some awesome experiences. Thanks for the kind words Simon
Wow, incredible stuff Chris! I agree, Tofino is such an amazing place. I spent a week there in 2006 and would love to get back one day. And I’m super jealous of the Baker climb, that’s been on my list for a while now.
Amazing pictures, keep ’em coming and Happy New Year!
Tofino is awesome but it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the awesomeness that is Vancouver Island. The alpine here is amazing a not many people realize it. Happy New Year to you as well !
Georgeous photos, my man. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for stopping by POF š Happy New Year
Beautiful photos for sure! I’ve never tried mountain biking, but that looks like a lot of fun (and probably a lot easier to get into than many snow-based sports).
I really want to get into backcountry ski-touring but it is expensive (gear, avalanche equip, etc) and I already have money sunk into the mountain bike. On my financial path I need to be mindful of my spending and choose activities that align with my budget. Thanks for stopping by
Jaw. On. Floor.
Mission Accomplished
Thanks for reading and viewing my photo essay, means a lot that you stopped by. Happy New Year
Wow! I can’t believe we have the same camera. I think we may have the same keyboard too, ha ha. You know what to do with your tools. And really live. I did do my first backpacking ever this year, so that is a start. I am amazed by all the the places you’ve been, just in 2017!
That’s great to hear you did your first backpacking trip, hope you had a blast. I really try to focus on going places and doing things that bring happiness into my life. We need to focus on doing what we enjoy while we still can.
Beautiful – love the BW mountain photos. We climbed Whitney a few years ago – time for another trip!
Thanks for visiting and checking out my post Steve. Iām looking forward to returning to Whitney Portal and spending more time in the area again.
These photos are incredible Chris!
Thanks Matt, it was an incredible year and great photos are easy when you are in stunning locations š Cheers
Gorgeous, thank you for sharing!
There are some very spectacular photos! Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with in 2018.
Thanks so much !