Chogolisa Advanced Basecamp by Harry Kikstra

Wednesday, 23rd April 2008

Chogolisa Advanced Basecamp, Pakistan

by Harry Kikstra

Chogolisa is known as Bride Peak and it is here that famous climber Hermann Buhl died.
I went on a non-commercial expedition with 8 South African members and us 2 dutch climbers. After all the crowds on the -beautiful- hike in on the enormous Baltoro glacier, it was nice to separate us from the main track in search of a way up Chogolisa, more than 7500m high.
The old descriptions were outdated as an icefall was blocking our way and after I found our way past it, we could set up our tents here for ABC, Advanced Base Camp at 5500m. It was in the middle of a cirque, with steep icy walls all around us, releasing avalanches constantly, creating the sound of a busy railway station…
Some days it snowed all the time and some nights like this one were really clear, though at the end the huge snowfall of this 2004 season stopped us from summiting. A great experience nonetheless, scanned from Provia slide, shot in July 2004. The light inside is from Marian’s head torch, I told her to move her head a bit so I could capture the glow of the tent. The light in front of the tents is from my own torch, the light in the back if from the great torch in the sky

Equipment: Eos 3

Harry Kikstra

Who am I?
Harry Kikstra, a climber/expedition leader/ photographer/ filmmaker/ producer/ writer/ public speaker/ cycler and many other things that have to do with sharing the beauty of the outdoors.
I have climbed the 7 continental highpoints and have traveled a lot and will not stop soon, though normally I am based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. See ExposedPlanet to learn more about me or just Google me in word or images.
My other site 7summits .com is focused on the mountains, this site will also show more of the culture and other nature that is to be found on our 7 continents.
I hope that it will sparkle your imagination, make you curious or even just educate you a bit, being maybe the 3 most important aspects of society in my view. A picture can say more than a 1000 wars and can maybe help understand the world around us. It’s a small place, so maybe we can make the best of it together.
I have started ExposedPlanet .com not only as a way to show my portfolio, but also to share the beauty of our planet. Nowadays negative press & media might make people scared of everything foreign or different: culture, religion, people and the places themselves.
This xenophobia is taking over our lives and prevents us from seeing the real world as it is: a wonderful place with beautiful people. There are no bad or evil countries, religions or people. There is bad and good people in every culture, including your own.
I hope I can share a bit of the amazement I have enjoyed while traveling the 7 continents. The more I see, the more I know I still have to see and I will. Life is too short to focus on not-existing enemies & fears.
Comments are more than welcome, but please do not just say “great shot” or something similar, but let me know why this image (didn’t?) touch you. Many thanks.

exposedplanet.com

21 Comments

a. Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:24 am
Great! I love the light behind the mountains! That must have been a wonderful experience.
kirk jordan Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:45 am
Great Shot! (Okay, bad joke)

But really, I assume that this scene was much darker as taken in by the eye. What length of exposure, and how do you contol digital noise? Was there a little bit of latent sun glow behind the mountains?

This looks like another planet.
Andreea Teodorescu Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:21 am
Impressive scene. The small lighted tents lost in the blue immensity…
Ahmed Sharif Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:38 am
fascinating place and a lovely shot……. thanks for the nice description too….. particularly like the different lightings in the background……
Anurag Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 am
Your power of expression is as good as your climbing and photography skills. What an excellent write up. I felt like I was physically present by your side when you made the shot. You should write a novel and add another feather to your cap. As far as the image goes - Just sit back and enjoy.
Gerry Pacher Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:52 am
Ahhh - I love such beautiful winter photographs. You and the pure nature. That’s it!

Take care.

Gerry
Craig Wilson Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 am
Lovely image - the lighting is perfect!
Pauline Jones Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 am
Lovely shot and technically very good.
Malta Photography Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Very professional shot. Its just marvelous. The lighting seems very well balanced.
Eileen Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:19 pm
If I want to say great shot then I will, its my right is it not? But I won’t. Nice blue sky. It does seem like there is some light on the snow mound coming from somewhere. EZ
Renee Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Very touching photo! Well Done!
Ellie Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I think the light on the snow wall behind adds to the emotion and feel of this image. I agree with Anurag, I feel like I was there alongside you-with your description– Perfect aperture on the moon….a totally releasing, feeing image for me. Isn’t the camera a marvelous invention???
Ellie Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Your website is fascinating…thank you for sharing your talent and knowlege.
Harry, ExposedPlanet.com Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Thanks very much all, for your wonderful comments, really much appreciated.

First of all, I always prefer a ‘great shot’ over something less positive

Until now I have only written a Dutch novel (and english guidebooks), but someday, when I have time…

@Kirk: the best way to reduce digital noise is to use slidefilm This was shot on Provia and scanned later. Though the slide looks great when projected, the scan was a bit ‘flat’, so I adjusted levels and contrast to show the different lights in the scene better..
Cheers, Harry
Dennis Says:
April 24th, 2008 at 2:49 am
You asked for specifics. I think this is a nicely composed picture. I like the lighting on the tent on the left. I think the picture would be even better with the right tent lighted as well. This would help offset the darkness on the right. Mother Nature did a great job illuminating the slopes on the left. www.fdwphotos.com
Yanaar Lee Says:
April 24th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Stunning, striking. The light in the tent is balanced out by the light in the sky. Is that the sun?
Will Says:
April 24th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Very nice. Would have been nice to see the other tent lit up as well.
Azu Says:
April 24th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
seems unreal. It´s very nice and inspires me some restlessness
Joel Schenk Says:
April 25th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Wish I was there !! :^)
Su Says:
April 18th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Loved your story and ideals they added to the shot for me
Sue Gagnon Says:
May 12th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
This is simply a great vision of a real moment in time.