Climbing Lost Arrow Spire Tip, Yosemite National Park, California
Photograph by Ben Horton
"Extreme environments are inspiring to me, so I felt right at home," says climber Brad Wilson, seen here at the top of the first pitch, about 2,500 feet above the valley floor, at a belay point on Lost Arrow Spire Tip near Upper Yosemite Falls. "The waterfall was generating a mellow roar, perfect to muffle the chaos of tourists and vehicles on the valley floor."After hiking seven miles, Wilson and climbing partner Gil Weiss had rappelled to the notch between the valley rim and the Spire Tip to begin climbing. Although the route is only two pitches long, the spire's summit features one of the most spectacular views in Yosemite. "I'd always wanted to stand on that summit," recalls Wilson, who is currently roaming the Sierras in his vehicle with his climbing gear.
Getting the Shot
“Lost Arrow Spire is a super classic climb," says photographer Ben Horton, who shoots a variety of adventure subjects and received the first National Geographic Young Explorers Grant. "It offers an amazing view of nearly everything in Yosemite Valley."
“This was my first time at the spire, so I had no clue as to how I'd shoot it,” recalls Horton. The Los Angeles, California-based photographer ended up rappelling down over the valley rim's edge and hung nearly 3,000 feet in the air to shoot while Wilson and Weiss climbed. "The evening light hit the spire perfectly and lit it up while the valley below was covered in shadows.”
Horton photographed with a Canon 5D Mark II, 24-70mm L lens, and a BlackRapid camera strap.
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