2012 Ice Fest Face Off

A couple of weeks ago I was psyched to be photographing the Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival's Face Off mixed climbing competition again. Always a fun event, it's great to watch some of the region's strongest climbers go head-to-head on a completely manufactured, and somewhat silly climbing route. I mean, how often do you find yourself hooking your way up door hinges and PVC pipes? In the context of a mixed climbing competition, however, anything goes, especially anything that makes it more entertaining!

The two routes that competitors would battle over were set by my good friends Jim Ewing of Sterling Rope and Josh Hurst, two of the strongest mixed climbers in the northeast. Below, competitors Janet Bergman and Bayard Russell eye the route...


Prior to the comp kicking off, Canadian uber-climber Will Gadd ran a lap on the wall and then gave one of the best climbing presentations I have seen in a long time...


A couple of thank-yous by International Mountain Climbing School owners Brad White, below left, and Rick Wilcox. Then MC Freddie Wilkinson kicked things off...


One of the first climbers up was my friend Hillary. After a few moments spent energizing the crowd, Hill set off...


Silas Rossi kicked things off for the men, pulling down on the first PVC pipe...


Elliot Gaddy of IMCS putting up a strong effort, along with Lindsay Fixmer of Fox Mountain Guides...


Majka Burhardt pulling hard...


Women's winner Janet Bergman crushing...


Peter Doucette, also of IMCS, working his figure-fours...


Andrea putting up a strong showing, and Bayard Russell eying the first PVC pipe...


Men's winner Kevin Mahoney making his way across the foam "ice" feature, headed for the log, on his way to the win...


Congratulations to all of the Face Off climbers for putting your outstanding efforts and entertainment. Thanks also to the Ice Fest organizers for having me once again.

Renee & Colin; A Mt. Washington Hotel Wedding

At the end of August -- yup, I am that far behind in my blogging! -- I had the great pleasure of spending the afternoon with Renee and Colin at their small Mt. Washington Hotel wedding. We had a beautiful weather in the White Mountains, but on this day, a little further to the south, hurricane Irene was battering the coast and heading north and inland. Although we did not experience any major weather on this day, overnight and into Sunday the north country would get battered and bruised.


The storm was the buzz all around the hotel. But at this gorgeous mountain venue you'd never know what was brewing.





I just love the main foyer at the Mount Washington Hotel. It was here that I met Renee and Colin. Their small wedding was super laid back. When I walked in Renee and Colin met me at the front door ready to go. Our plan was to spend a little time taking portraits prior to the ceremony.




These two were so sweet and cute prior to their ceremony. They were so relaxed, and truly enjoying their day and time together...


Following portraits, I wandered over to the south lawn where the ceremony was set to take place. Loved the simple, yet beautifully decorated arbor overlooking Crawford Notch...



Flower arrangements were by Sara Severance the Hotel florist. Sara always does an amazing job! Here comes the bride...


Wedding ceremony vistas don't get much more picturesque than this...



These two were full of wry smiles and stolen glances all afternoon...



Congratulations!


Moving from one gorgeous view to another, we went up to the Jewel Terrace for group and family portraits. Here's Renee and Colin's families and guests...


With Maid of Honor and Best Man...



Following group shots we took a few more minutes for now-married portraits...





Following portraits, I spent a little time hanging out with Renee and Colin and their guests while they waited for their planned dinner in the Hotel dining room. After a short wait they moved off to enjoy the rest of their evening and I said goodbye and headed south. But, not before stopping to capture some images of the AMAZING sunset. The Mount Washington Hotel often has stunning sunsets, but this one was incredible. The sky was on fire...


And one more looking back at the hotel post sunset...


And one last image of the newlyweds just before I took off...


Congratulations, Renee and Colin. Your wedding was a wonderfully intimate celebration, and I am so grateful to have shared a piece of it with you.

Caitlin & Aaron: A Mt. Washington Hotel Wedding

As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I'm a mountain boy. On almost any free day -- which seem to be getting fewer lately -- you'll find me up north. So, I always enjoy traveling to the mountains for a wedding too, and there are few venues that I can think of that feel quite as "in the mountains" as the Mt. Washington Resort. Nestled deep in Crawford Notch and at the base of Mt. Washington, it's, well, spectacular! I've found that the weddings I have photographed there have all been for people with a deep appreciation and passion for the outdoors. Hikers, climbers, skiers, people who love being outside, and Caitlin and Aaron are just those kind of people. Not only was I fortunate enough to be spending the day in the mountains, but also at the marriage celebration of a couple of kindred spirits. So, I am very excited to share a peek at Caitlin and Aaron's big day...



I met Caitlin early as she was finishing up at the Spa, so I took the chance to photograph a few details before she arrived back at the room. Flowers for the day were by Carrie at Dutch Bloemen Winkle...



Caitlin's mom helping her get ready...


Everyone's focused on the dress, and getting Caitlin into it...




While I was with the ladies, my friend Lindsay Flanagan was with Aaron and the guys. Here are several great captures...


Aaron's best man Scott making sure he was looking good...


He succeeded...


All ready to go, and still feeling relaxed...


A great shot of all the guys by Lindsay just before heading down the mountain to the hotel...


Back at the hotel, Caitlin was putting the finishing touches on and then it was off to the ceremony herself...


Another great shot by Lindsay of the guys waiting for Caitlin. Crawford Notch is in the background...



The Jewell Terrace at the Mt. Washington is one of the most spectacular ceremony settings. If you like being outside and in the mountains, few ceremony views are more majestic!


A couple of more images from the ceremony...



And the happy newlyweds...


Following the service we took care of all of the formal portraits, and a few of Caitlin and Aaron too, but we planned on sneaking out later for their portraits so that they could enjoy some time with their guests before the reception...


At the Mt. Washington, the view is grand, but so is the Ball Room. It's always decked out to the nines, and especially with Carrie's gorgeous centerpieces...




Caitlin and Aaron's first dance was fantastic! These two can dance...


And finishing with a great dip...


Everyone enjoyed the show!



In between toasts and the meal we snuck back out for portraits. We were treated to fantastic alpenglow on the Hotel from the setting sun out on the front lawn, and then back out on the Jewell Terrace...


I love the color pop from the alpine garden that surrounds the Jewell Terrace, with the last bit of daylight silhouetting the White Mountains...


Back inside and post dinner, it was time for parent dances. Here's Caitlin and her father...


And a moving embrace between Aaron and his mother...


Then it was time to party! The Big City Band rocked the house. I LOVE live bands. Nothing keeps a crowd engaged like a band...




As the night drew to a close, the band really let loose and it packed the dance floor. During the last song just about everyone in the room was on the floor and surrounded the newlyweds. The energy was awesome...


I'll end with my favorite image from earlier in the evening. I mentioned that gorgeous sunset, right? Here it is...


Thank you Caitlin and Aaron for allowing me to share your grand day in the mountains. It truly was a remarkable and memorable day. And special thanks to Lindsay for traveling north with me and for your excellent images.