High Altitude Photography

by George Brybycin

George enjoying a view of Hector Lake from Mt. Hector.

Not many people feel at home at high elevation often suffering from dreaded vertigo. I am in my element up there, the higher the better. From early childhood I hiked, skied, climbed and camped on the the mountains. A camera was always oround my neck and it allowed me to capture the mood, light, weather and the drama of the heights. The challenge and the danger is quite high for bivouacking at 3300 meters in late autumn or winter when the mercury drops to -25°C and the rigors of weather can be dangerously unpredictable. I've never hesitated or slowed down regardless of how cold it was. The next thing I knew I had shot over 30, 000 mountain images, climbed over 400 mountains, forded swollen rivers, faced extreme weather, grizzly bears and cougars and lived to tell about it! These are a but a few of my pictures that capture my journeys into the mountains.

Igloo in front of Mt. Athabasca in Moon light.

George and tent at base of Mt. Sarbach

George on top of Mt. Temple after a cold night sleeping in the snow hollow he is sitting in.

Immense view from Mt. Temple looking North West

Clemenceau icefield - Lawrence Grassi hut lit by moonlight

On Mount Daly - evening shot looking north at Waputi icefield and Mount Balford in the distance..

George Brybycin on Mount Bell looking southwest.

Many of the self portraits were taken using a tripod and self timer. At high altitude and very cold temperatures the camera meter was often useless as the batteries would die in the cold. George would estimate the exposure and bracket his shots.

Above are just a few of George's Books