Hidden Mirage
Category: 04 Award Winners
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
The Columbia River Gorge is truly a hidden sanctuary. A fragile gem at the end of a treacherous, moss-covered slot canyon. Torrential storms, record rainfalls and flooding of the gorge from two weeks of nonstop rain — what a perfect time to shoot!
This amazing scene was loaded with obstacles and was pretty full-on to get to. Timing, persistence, and a little madness were all compulsory. Traversing upstream from the river’s outlet was unpredictable but had to be done. Massive logjams and pools required chest-high wading. Protecting the gear from saturation was the biggest priority. No use getting to the location with dud gear. The only way in was through the narrow cliff walls — handling the gear overhead.
After such a deluge there was only one possible vantage point to shoot from — directly in the center of the stream. As water roared through the gorge, mist and rain covered the camera. A few exposures driven by pure adrenaline and instinct made the magic.
The sun broke through, lighting the canyon walls for a singular moment — adding a surreal, mystical feeling. Awe is the only word that describes the scene. What a location, what a challenge, what a shot!
