Your Top 8 (photos) of 2008!

[w7xman]

One of my favorite threads on this site the last couple of years starts up around this time, and I figured on this snowy evening in front of my computer, I'd get the ball rolling again.

One of my favorite things to do on this site is to read trip reports and view the pictures that people take of the sights that speak to them on the trails. And there are some gems on here. Everyone who takes a camera on the trails with them inevitably comes back with special shots that makes others stop and take in the view right with the photographer. Photos on this site have conjured up a multitude of emotional responses, memories and inspirations.

As we are now a week before the holidays, when I turn off the computer and put away the hiking boots for a bit to be with family and friends for a time, I would invite everyone to post their 8 favorite photos of 2008, and perhaps some background as to where, when and why!?

The end of the year is a great time to recollect, reflect and resolve. Here's a thread to the memories of 2008 and a beautiful 2009!

(note: To save the servers, please post links, or embed images hosten on other sites!)

 

[Tom Rankin]

Underachiever, only 4:

http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/P1.JPG - Algonquin from Wright 3/8
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/P2.JPG - Marcy from Haystack 3/8
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/P3.JPG - Haystack from 'Tiny' Haystack - 3/8
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/P4.JPG - Feathered Friend Redux

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

Thanks for starting this thread. I love looking at everybody's pictures. I look forward to seeing your pictures. They are always amazing!

I didn't take that many pictures this year and the ones I did take certainly have a different theme this year. To round out the eight I included a few Steve took (same camera, counts, right? ;-) ).

Steve and Eleanor on Lafayette:

These two go together ... Eleanor having a ball in Acadia:

Our future rock climber on North Bubble:

Steve and Eleanor checking out Medicine Bow:

Fall in Hyde Park, NY:

And two of my favorites that Steve took in Medicine Bow:

 

[Puma concolor]

OK, I'll play. Top 8 by total subjectivity:

Grand Teton, Wyoming

King's Peak, Utah

Borah Peak, Idaho

Jackson Peak, Wyoming

Borah Peak, Idaho

Kings Peak, Utah

Cerro de Punta, Puerto Rico

Tongue Mountain Range, NY

 

[nazdarovye]

So many great trips this year. Here are a few pics:

From Inspiration Point, Yosemite NP:

At Hamilton Lake along the High Sierra Trail:

And Precipice Lake, on the same trail:

California's Lost Coast:

Yellowstone NP in February 08:

Ventana Wilderness, CA:

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

Those pictures from the Lost Coast are great. I like how the seals blend in and you don't notice them right away. I would love to the High Sierra Trail. The Rae Lakes Loop was my first longer backpack and it was so much fun.

 

[Brambor]

My top 8

top 8

My rundown of top 8 outdoor shots.

 

[adktyler]

All in the Dacks.

 

[w7xman]

Wow, some great shots, experiences and locations already posted here.

I went through my images, and narrowed it down to eight...Quite fun looking back!

Posted in chronological order...

Five-Petal Bluet
Found this right in the middle of a trail, a rare mutation waiting to be photographed!

Irises at Wagon Hill
A park in Durham I drove by many times suddenly filled with irises this spring!

Storm at Portland Head
Driving through Maine, my weather radio band started going nuts, so I figured it was a good time to visit this lighthouse for the first time!

Little White Church
After a great sunrise on Foss Mountain, I waited out this scene in Eaton, NH

Evening's Last Bath
A near dud of a sunset on Black Cap lit up at the very last minute, bathing the landscape in purple!

Three Mooses
After hiking countless miles this year, without seeing a moose, three sit roadside in Pinkham...

Sunrise on the Lakeside
Predawn on the shores of Conway Lake after the first snows of the year...

Sunset from Jefferson Meadows
Late light catches the Presidential Range after the recent ice storm...

 

[Head]

Amazing places and beautiful pics everyone!
Heres a few from the Tetons:
Above Marion Lake

Flowers on the Death Canyon Shelf Trail

Alaska Basin at Dusk

Static Peak from Alaska Basin

Hurricaine Pass

Teton Range from Hurricaine Pass

Camp

Above Camp

 

[Michelle]

From the PCT, south to north:

The Gateway

Walking along the LA aqueduct in Mojave Desert

Windmills in Tehachapi Mtns.

Chief on Forester Pass

Chickety with Junction Peak

 

[Michelle]

guess you can only attatch 5 at a time......here's the rest!

still south to north


Bullfrog Lake

Selden Pass and grounding squirrel

Before Sonora Pass

Before Donner Pass

Full Moon setting

Not the best quality pictures, but fun memories anyway!
Have a fun river crossing one in Glacier Peak Wilderness in WA, but maybe
next time!

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Before the Storm

Rainbow After

Early Spring in the Sierra

Whitney from Langley

California Poppies

SkyPilot-John Muir's Favorite Flower

Sand Canyon Wild Flowers

Marmot in Rocky Mountain NP

RoadRunner, Death Valley NP VisitorCenter

Smoke from Wildfires

Piute Fire

Somewhere in Iowa, 2008 RAGBRAI

 

[Edelweiss]

Here are my 8 favorite photos of 2008. It certainly is fun looking back at the year - brings back great memories!

http://picasaweb.google.com/jojazz2004/Favorite2008Photos02?feat=email#

 

[Amicus]

Little White Church
After a great sunrise on Foss Mountain, I waited out this scene in Eaton, NH

A neat photo of one of my favorite scenes, which still grabs me after 20 years. Your Black Cap sunset is a close second.

Thanks to all for this terrific eye candy!

 

[PA Ridgerunner]

Lots of great shots, everyone! Pudgy, I just love the pic of the future rock climber on North Bubble

So hard to pick just eight...I went with eight that held special meaning for me because of the day, the hike, the company, or the moment. Not necessarily the best photos.

August - Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

June - Fran on Wright Peak

June - Delicate flower on Colden, Jr.

September - Mt. Jo from Mt. Van Hoevenberg

September - Gnarly old maple on Finger Lakes Trail, Virgil Mtn., NY

September - Fran scrambling up Pyramid en route to Gothics.

September - Giant of the Valley viewed from summit of Upper Wolfjaw

August - Eastern High Peaks from Donaldson

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Osceolas from Snow's Mountain (while XC skiing at Waterville Valley Nordic Center)


On the Valley Way in February


Moon over Madison


Washington and Jefferson from Adams


Grass Pink Orchid


Pitcher Plant


Presidentials from Hight


North Hancock/Arrow Slide


Tim

 

[nartreb]

I'm still posting shots from November, so 2008 is far from over.
Among what's online, I can't even look at the winter shots after all that shoveling over the weekend, so here are some from April to October.

Cascade Falls
Quincy Quarries
fluffy gosling
green heron
white lady's slipper
Darlene on the Brain
bridge view, Paris
robber jay
shelf brackets
bridge view, New Hampshire

one, two, second, third, fourth, five, six, seven, eight... phew, for a minute I thought I'd gone over.

 

[1ADAM12]

October in the Adirondacks


Elk Lake



Flume



Flowed Lands Lean-To


Mount Colden



Swimming at Flowed Lands


First snow in October


Fun at Flowed Lands

 

[Viewseeker]

just amazing guys and girls....i'll be able to view all of them as soon as im home...damn barricuda.......thanks for sharing
happy holidays!!

Rob