Southwes and the Thin Place

Southwes and the Thin Place

The creative art of Wes Walker

When did you first become interested in photography? I started shooting in 2011 when I worked at a camp in the mountains in New Mexico during the summer.

Were you self-taught or did you learn in school/from a mentor? My older brother was into photography first and he showed me a lot. My mom is also a painter and we grew up in a very creative environment. But I started to work and figure out my route and style after a few years of on the go learning.

How did you develop your style? I don't know exactly what to call my style. I love western life, and I love the outdoors, and especially love shooting in low light situations and seem to give photos a sense that they might be on another planet. Basically I want to create a world that is different from everything else you might see on social media, but is still real and out there somewhere.

What themes do you explore through your work? Western life, semi-adventure, and minimal landscape. I love strong colors, and it's one of the main things I look for when shooting.

How do you find and choose you subjects or locations? I actually shoot at a lot of the "hot-spots", but try to portray them in a different light. Other times I'm on a road trip and just find something I think looks cool and try to find a way to turn it into art.

What inspires your work? Music and God. I think music and visuals go hand and hand, that's why most favorite movies have good scores, why special memories trigger a certain song. There's a certain spiritualness to nature, when you're in it you can't exactly describe it. But certain places on earth feel "thin." Call it God, call it magic, call it a "thin place" it's a place that we feel is special and inspires us to be more than we currently are.

How do you compose an image? Do you go into the shoot with a specific shot in mind, or does the inspiration strike when you place your model in the setting? Rarely do I have a certain shot in mind. I could almost count on one hand the number of times I've dreamed up a shot, planned it, and then it has actually panned out. It's like expectations are predestined let-downs. When creating pieces that are just for me I go into it with an open eye. The opposite of a commissioned job.

What has been your biggest lesson learned through creating your art? That waiting is everything. I waited and worked through a desk job three years after college. Spending every weekend and all of my time shooting photos where ever I could. Then making the jump to a full-time creative...but then still wasn't getting to shoot the kind of content I wanted because that's not would pay the bills. It's a process, big time.

What do you hope your art says to people? That there's a world full of "thin places" for everyone to go find and make memories at. I hope it conveys emotion, no matter what kind.

Why did you choose your craft (photography)? I actually started as a sketch artist. Drawing anything I saw for years and years. I never really choose it, it chose me haha. I just wanted to do something more, try and capture the beauty and it found its way to me.

If you couldn’t be doing your craft, what would you do instead? More into music, I play a handful of instruments and have a dozen or so songs I need to try and develop but just not really the time right now. Or flipping houses, a different type of creativity.

Any favorite moments of your career so far? I stood at the base of Cerro Torre at night in March of 2019. I realized just how small I am. How millions of people have stood and seen this mountain. All the stories that have happened and mine is one of them. It was when I realized that I had to start developing my own story and stop doing what everyone else was doing.

Is there a defining moment in your career so far? Probably taking the jump from working for a company to working for myself. Being able to plan trips whenever I want and take them is incredible and opens a huge door to possibilities that just are not there otherwise.

Is there anything you really enjoy in your craft vs another line of work? I love editing. But it truly depends on the content. I used to edit for the company I worked for and would've never made it through if The Office wasn't on full blast in the background. Now I edit my own content and it's light jazz that's in the background. 

Biggest pet peeve about the industry? Companies wanting creatives to work for comps and free goods. I get it, I've done it. On both ends. I would save the free stuff and comps for influencers and actually pay your creatives and photographers. They are creating viable content that is going to drive marketing, something most influencers would never begin to do.

Is flannel really always appropriate? Cabins. With pancakes. To impress the country girl I have a crush on. All appropriate occasions.

Accounts You Should Be Following This Fall

Accounts You Should Be Following This Fall

Thank us later.

Here to raise your 2020 spirits as we leave one season and enter the next (read best). We could all use a little extra warm and cozy these days. These accounts are the perfect way to jump start that fall feeling and find your next adventure. Until then you can find me under my flannel blanket, next to a Cinnamon Pumpkin candle, scrolling through these Autumn wonderlands.

@jessolm

If you’re not following Jess Olm this season stop everything and do it now. Each shot more cozy than the last as she takes you through all the the reasons you fell in love with fall in the first place.

@kylefinndempsey

You’ll feel the need to buy a vintage truck and drive the coast of Maine with a pumpkin latte in hand. And we won’t blame you.

@ryanresatka

I never get tired of bold, bright scenery. Ryan Resatka takes you to the most breathtaking places. Trust me, you’ll fall in love.

@arjsun

A little bit Stars Hollow, a little bit Hocus Pocus. Two iconic moods you need in your life.

@kjp

Rich, warm, and homey. Each shot an autumn dream you don’t want to wake up from.

@daveyandsky

Their feed has me grabbing my flannel vest and searching my next adventure spot. All the views and changing leaves you could ask for.

For more of our favorites, and stories like these, keep following @folkmagazine and subscribe to our newsletter here.

Bold Exploration - J.K. Winders

Bold Exploration

Following J.K. Winders’ Adventures

“You’re willingly throwing yourself into personal unknown territory for the sake of discovery and illumination.” I love hearing his outlook on adventure and taking in all the things he has learned. Keep reading to see how J.K. Winders finds adventure in the risks.

Why do you adventure? Why do you explore? I like to think that adventures can put you in touch with the broader possibilities of what life can offer. On top of taking the chances to do some incredible things in awe-inspiring places, adventures show you that the set plan is not always the best way and that the worst times today can make for the best stories tomorrow.

I think the biggest misinterpretation I come across from people is that they seem to view exploration as simply wandering aimlessly hoping you stumble on something that made it all worthwhile. In reality, exploration is a journey, it’s a process of discovery, it’s the action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. Out of exploration comes illumination, not just in a new field, but within oneself as well. I discover new capabilities and transcend limits through exploration. I can’t speak for everyone, but that’s why I explore. It makes me a little bolder, a little less fearful, and maybe, hopefully, a little bit better. I like to think that all-around betterment is birthed from exploration. As someone who grew up a little shy and timid, exploration has made me more sure of myself and more courageous. 

Where are you from? I was born near Atlanta, Georgia and lived there for the first eighteen years of my life. And no, unsweetened tea was not a part of my vocabulary. Since then I have lived in Los Angeles, California, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and now I am based out of and roaming full-time in my 25ft Thor Majestic R.V.

When you were growing up what or who did you want to be? The script for my life changed very frequently growing up. There was a time I wanted to be a missionary because I loved the travel and I loved Jesus and it just made sense to little five-year-old me. There were also periods where I wanted to be a train conductor, a filmmaker, an author, a painter, a chef, even a theme park designer. I had so many different interests growing up that gave so many directions to steer my life into.

Why take risks in life? I think we all know deep down that anything worth achieving requires some sort of risk. If you want to experience a beautiful sunrise from a mountain top, you have to be willing to first take a step in the dark. Exploration in and of itself is a risk. You’re willingly throwing yourself into personal unknown territory for the sake of discovery and illumination. Every trail that we’ve traversed was laid down by someone else exploring a part of the empty sandbox. I absolutely understand how crippling the idea of the great unknown can be. But I also know how valuable the growth and discovery that comes from facing it. The first time you jump over a hurdle is always the hardest. You either soar over it or trip and face-plant into the ground. Either way, the fear of the unknown is vanquished because of the action taken against it. 

Favorite place you've visited? Picking a favorite place I’ve visited almost feels like picking a favorite child. But the place that I always search for reasons and opportunities to go back to is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Growing up in Georgia, we had the Smoky Mountains which I thought were about as majestic as they came. But then when I saw the Grand Teton range, I couldn’t fathom that mountains like that could exist in this world. It’s also a place where I’ve found peace and inspiration to be perfectly abundant and never too difficult to obtain. 

What place do you most desperately want to visit? There are so many places that are still on my list. But right now at this moment I’ll say Southeast Asia. I have yet to venture into Asia and would love to unlock the entire region. I’d love to take the time to do some backpacking through the more off-the-beaten-path parts of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. But as I said, there are countless places that my journey has yet to take me to that I would love to experience.

What has changed about you because of your travels? I really believe that it’s impossible to harbor any thoughts or feelings of bigotry or intolerance when you venture outside of your cultural bubble. You learn that there are different ways of doing simple things, different values, from different wants and needs. It is a humbling experience to be the outsider in a foreign country. For instance, I’ll never make fun of or be mad at someone who doesn’t speak my language, because I have been that person abroad who’s the only one in the room that doesn’t speak the language. 

I’ve also discovered looking back on my travels is that none of my worries or fears that I stressed myself out over ever really happened. Other stuff definitely happened, but not the terrible, awful, unspeakable scenarios that I had fabricated in the deep dark spaces of my mind. Traveling does put you a little more receptacle to the things you can’t control. Delayed trains, closed roads, bad weather; all inconveniences that can add spice to the stories you’ll one day tell. And it terms fear overall, I know plenty of people that are still addicted to 24/7 news and it instills that anxiety that the world is full of evil and things to be afraid of. I no longer allow myself to fear something or someplace from afar. 

Who is the most dynamic and thought provoking person you've ever met? I’ve known countless people that have inspired me in very profound ways. But the one that comes to mind currently is one of my best friends from my days of living in Los Angeles. His name was Andre and he was an absolute character that taught me the value of living your life as a work of art. He dressed exclusively in clothes from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, was incredibly industrious in so many areas from wine and spirits to calligraphy, and antiques to craftsmanship. I really was under the impression that he was all-knowing. If we were ever walking down the street together, the people passing by would be so enamored with his overall appearance. He taught me the lesson of how you present yourself is a story of itself, and if you carefully craft it, it has the potential to bring joy to others. He was the one who encouraged me to live your entire life as a story worth telling.

If you could travel with one person in history or in present who would it be and why? I would love to provide some really profound answer like Jack London or the Fitzergeralds or someone like that, but I keep thinking about my great Uncle Buddy who is maybe the most jovial person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing in my life. He’s someone that in his age loves experiencing things that he never would’ve thought he’d get the chance to experience. He’s a true adventurer in the sense that there is always something to smile at and laugh about. He’s just a happy, infectious soul that you love being around and I would love to travel the world with him. 

What would you say to someone who has never traveled before? I’ll give you a couple of rapid fire ones first; Always be in a mode of learning. Don’t draw too much attention to yourself. Always be aware of your surroundings. Life is too precious to waste it by wearing a fanny pack. The wrong train can sometimes take you to where you really need to be. Pump yourself with plenty of probiotics and vitamin C. 

I also tell people that if they’re going to someplace with a heavy tourist culture to see the tourist traps first and then just get lost. I’ve done the touristy stuff, it’s not that bad, but when you can collect some of those off-the-beaten-path experiences you’ve got gold. For instance, if you’re visiting Venice, swing by the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square, they’re worth seeing. But then pick a direction a start walking. If you’re lucky you’ll end up in the Campo Santa Margarita or some other place where the locals hang out where you indulge in the good pizza and apertivos. The best discoveries are made when you don’t know where exactly you are.

Don’t feel like you have to see and do everything. If you have that mindset, you’ll go through your trip completely exhausting yourself and most likely walk away disappointed  and unsatisfied. Whenever you visit someplace, go with the notion that you will be back one day.

Pack as light as you can, you probably won’t be very far away from someplace where you can pick up a bottle of shampoo if you leave yours behind. Don’t be afraid of ever being wrong or of appearing foolish. Most locals love taking the opportunity to teach outsiders about their culture and their way of doing things, so always try to be humble and teachable. And just be kind, you are the guest after all.

Give us a story any kind of story from one of your trips that will he impactful to the reader. Speaking of Venice… I was passing through a few years ago, and it happened to be my birthday. Up until this point I had been scrambling around parts of Europe trying to see and do as much as I can. I had plans to take the day and get lost in the city. I stopped by a cafe to grab a coffee to take with me on my metropolitan adventure. Like a typical American, I stepped up to the counter and ordered with my money in hand ready to take my morning Joe with me on my merry way. “Okay, go sit I’ll bring it to you.” the barista said to me. I looked down at my money, and back up at her and asked, “Do I go ahead and pay now?” To which she responded, “No you can sit and enjoy it and pay after.” This was new for me, just sitting ands enjoying a cup of coffee. But I did just that, and I still think about that coffee and how slow and beautiful the world seemed in that moment. I actually felt like I was a part of the city for a change which is something I now strive to do with every place I visit.

What is the single greatest lesson you've learned from someone that is different than you? This one’s a little outlandish and cliched I’ll admit, but it’s the one that’s coming to mind.

On one of my first overseas expeditions, I was visiting a friend of a friend in Southern France. He was the kind of guy that I used to be so intimidated by; a tattooed, leather-clad, care-free motorcycle rider on top of being a tall, dark, handsome, suave Frenchman. I was passing through Nice for the night, he picked me up from the train station. Along with my behemoth backpack, I climbed onto the back of motorcycle and we raced off through the streets of the city. At this point I could’ve counted on one hand the number of times I’ve ridden on a motorcycle. I don’t think I blinked the whole time.

After a while he shouted back to me, “When we come into a curve, you got to lean into with me so we don’t wipe out.” That goes against my natural thinking. The is the thing that’s going to hurt so of course I’m leaning away from it. But the way he said it was so profound, mainly because I try to find deeper meanings in most mundane things. But I took that to heart; when you come to a change in the direction of the path, lean into it, commit to it, take advantage of it or it’ll take advantage of you. Embrace the twists and turns because they are a part of the journey.

When did you feel you were most out of your comfort zone? What did you learn from that lesson? When I first arrived in Los Angeles, there were plenty of things that frightened me. I spent the first couple of months couch surfing before I was able to get on my feet. One of my biggest fears was that I would end up having to sleep in my car. There was a short period where I had to do just that. The first night I slept in my car, I found a quiet spot to park in the San Fernando Valley. I buried myself underneath my denim jacket and a dirty towel and settled as best I could into my cramped back seat. The next morning after a surprisingly decent sleep, I snagged a quick shower at the YMCA and I made my way to my favorite diner to indulge in a large, warm Lumberjack special breakfast. If I couldn’t sleep like a king, I sure was going to eat like one. I finally secured a living situation in the trawling city, but this was just a step I had to take to get there.

Since that first night in my car, I have crashed in my backseat countless times and even a few train stations and bus stops. It’s something I don’t even think twice about anymore. And now I live in an R.V. The biggest thing I learned looking back on that is that the desire for comfort can often times be your biggest deceiver and can hinder you from getting to the place in life in which you really need to be. My desire for comfort and stability was one of the biggest constraints for growth that loomed over me. I tell myself now that if I’m scared of doing something, do it scared. 

What would you say to your former self? I really do wish that I could go back and tell myself that there’s nothing wrong with being lost. I haven’t always been adventurous and used to detest the idea of facing extreme situations and uncomfortable circumstances. I liked structure and the times when I could actually plan something. But now I operate in the mindset that no great story has ever happened when someone knew exactly where they were going. But at the same time, I’m glad that I was able to go through a type of metamorphosis and learn these lessons in due time.

What gives you hope? Hope has never been something difficult for to find. The biggest thing that gives me hope, at least for myself, is the notion that there are endless options. The are countless places left to explore, countless things left to learn, people to meet. If you miss an opportunity to capture a story, there are plenty more waiting down the path. I’m in love with the concept of indefiniteness. It’ll be this way until one day when it’s not. I’ll do this until one day when I won’t. Indefiniteness is an integral part of the unknown. It gives me a sense of hope that something could last, but that even if it does end, it can be as beautiful as the beginning and can lead to something better. I love the idea of creating even when I’m an eighty, ninety, or a hundred-years- old, still venturing out, climbing mountains, seeking beauty and wonder. But I also am at peace knowing that some things aren’t supposed to last forever. If something good has come along for you in the past or present, something good can come along for you in the future.

Where to next? Naturally given the current state of the world, plans are changing almost everyday. I had plans for the month of May and June to do some exploring in the California Sierras that had to be scrapped. I even had a weekend retreat for creatives in Yosemite planned that unfortunately had to be postponed. But the changing plans are all a part of the journey.

Currently I have plans set to be in Glacier, Montana for the month of July, and to do some roaming around mountains and coastal regions of Washington and Oregon through the rest of the year. Next year, I’m hoping to make the long trek up through Canada and into Alaska for the summer.

Is flannel always in season? I’m never fully dressed without flannel being a part of my outfit.

See more of J.K. Winders at his website and be sure to follow his work on Instagram and Facebook.

Pursuit of Adventure - Jeff Brenner

Pursuit of Adventure

Through the lens of Jeff Brenner

Definitely caught the travel bug after going through this interview. Until then I’ll just be living through Jeff’s photographs and story telling. There’s something special about the beauty he finds in travel and I think you’ll feel it, too.

Why do you adventure? I adventure because we have so many amazing places around us. I was lucky enough to grow up only two hours away from Yosemite. It's always sad to me when I hear people in my town say that they've never been. I feel like it's such a missed opportunity to be so close to a place where people travel across the world to see. This is what initiated my pursuit of adventure. There's an insane amount of diverse places to see in the US.

Why take risks in life? I've always been a thrill seeker. I chased the adrenaline rush since I was a kid. The short answer is that playing it safe has never appealed to me. I'm not knocking those that do. To each their own. But even if I crash and burn (which has happened many times), I'd rather have the satisfaction of knowing I took a chance on something.  

When you were growing up what or who did you want to be? As a kid, I was really into archeology. I was convinced I'd be digging up fossils in my adult life. I'm not too sure when that changed, but I still have an infatuation with that stuff. I've got a few fossils displayed on my desk to provide inspiration whenever it's needed!

Favorite place you've visited? Hands down, my favorite place in the world is Yellowstone National Park. That entire place is absolutely wild. The landscapes are otherworldly and the wildlife is abundant. My wife and I joke that we have so many other places we want to see, but find ourselves going back to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons whenever we get the chance.

Place you most desperately want to visit? Alaska and Africa are tied. I gravitate to places with a lot of wildlife. We are planning on going to Alaska this summer, and hopefully Africa will follow soon after. That being said, we have an ever growing list of places we want to experience and photograph.

What is the single greatest moment of human humanity you've experienced while traveling? Truthfully, I can't think of any one major event that was life-changing during my travels. It's the little conversations I have with strangers along the way that has an effect on me. I think it's an amazing thing to find common ground with someone you don't know, while on the road. I feel like our daily lives can be so fast-paced, and we often give our attention to our technology. But I've found while traveling, people tend to disconnect and are genuinely interested in who you are and where you've been. It's a pretty beautiful thing.

Who is the most dynamic and thought provoking person you've ever met? My brother. He's only 18 months older than me, but we can be very different. He challenges me, without judgement, to be a better person and to be intentional in my relationships.

If you could travel with one person in history or in present who would it be and why? Easy. Teddy Roosevelt. Although John Muir and Ansel Adams are close behind. But the legacy Teddy Roosevelt left, in terms of conservation, has played a big role in modern day public land and wildlife protection. Plus, he was just a legendary person in general, and one of the most interesting people in US history.

Any travel tips? My biggest tip isn't a hack of any sort. It's merely a reminder to enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. I don't like to overcomplicate things when my wife and I are on the road. Our agenda is loosely constructed and allows for a lot of backroad detours. As a photographer, it's easy to get caught up in making sure you nail your shot list, but it can cause you to lose out on actually experiencing those memorable moments.

Give us a story any kind of story from one of your trips that will the impactful to the reader. As a photographer, I often find myself getting too fixated on getting "the shot." It's easy to make sure you don't waste any good light for sunrise or sunset. During our last trip to the Tetons, I found myself so concerned with finding a good spot for sunset that I was actually getting frustrated, forgetting that I was surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature in the US. I ended up finding a good spot, grabbed a quick photo, and then just set my gear down. I sat down at the edge of a river, staring out at the mountain range and just watched. There was no talking, no Instagram story updates, and no more concern for getting that "banger". Social media culture plays a huge role in our need to get as many photos as we can, but we often forget to enjoy it for ourselves. I'll never forget that moment, and it's something I now include in my process during every shoot.

Based on your travels what is the single most needed improvement for humanity to be stronger? There needs to be a greater respect for nature, especially wildlife. People send me videos all the time of tourists invading the space of/ taunting animals. These often lead to attacks, but even if they don't, it's extremely important to respect the rules. Social media can be a great thing, but at the same time, it has created a culture where people ignore rules, deface landmarks, and abuse animals just for attention on Instagram. I believe we need to hold each other accountable, and use our voices on social media to encourage ourselves and others to be better.

What would you say to someone who has never traveled before? I talk with a lot of people who have never traveled, and some of them have no desire to do so. To each their own, but for the ones that say, "I want to travel, but haven't gotten around to it", I just encourage them to set a date to go on even a nearby day trip and stick with it. I guarantee only a couple hours in Yosemite will be enough to light that spark and get them back out there.

What is the single greatest lesson you've learned from someone that is different than you? It's hard to pick a single lesson that I've learned from someone different from me. I find that I learn the most from others that have different upbringings, faiths, cultures, etc. I always appreciate when I can have an authentic and respectful conversation with a person that sees the world from a different perspective. 

When did you feel you were most out of your comfort zone. What did you learn from that lesson? I competed in track (pole vault and high jump) from elementary school and in college. My identity was essentially tethered to that and I had a lot of plans to have track remain a part of my life. After a pretty extreme back injury along with multiple knee injuries and surgeries, I was forced to throw in the towel. When that part of my life was over, I felt my life as a whole was outside my comfort zone. I had no clue what to do or what to pursue. I didn't realize it until later, but this set in motion the best things that have ever happened to me. I met my wife through the process and I rediscovered my love for photography. I learned many things during this time of my life, but the biggest lesson was to not let my identity be determined by something I do. My career and interests do not define the person I am.

What gives you hope? A lot of things give me hope. My faith and my wife constantly give me hope during those bleak times in life. Photography is a big one too. It gives me hope that the more fiercely I pursue this career path, the more experiences I can make with my wife during our travels.

Is flannel always in season? In California, you'll definitely pass out if you wear flannel in the summer, BUT I intentionally go to colder places in the summer so I can wear them. So yeah, it's most definitely always in season.

What are your hobbies and interests? Photography is at the forefront obviously, but I've always loved building things and working with my hands. I've built some pieces of furniture for our house and also do some knife making and vintage hatchet/axe restorations. Lastly, I love playing piano and guitar. Nothing like playing some Bon Iver and The Head and the Heart!

How do you get inspired when working at home? I've built my home office to look like a cabin and get really inspired by the feeling I get when I'm in there. The aroma of tobacco, wood, and leather gets the creativity firing on all cylinders.

You can shop Jeff’s prints or learn more at his website and follow his work on Instagram.

A Conversation with Jörn Henn

German based photographer Jorn Henn has quickly become one of our favorite photographers. His moody vibes and greens and blues have us captivated. The landscapes he shares have us dreaming of escaping the cities and heading deep into nature! We sat down with him to learn more.

Why do you adventure? Why do you explore?

My biggest motivation is keeping moments. I love to be outside in nature feeling the elements. I am a very curious person as well. That’s why I love to visit and explore new countries or places.

Why take risks in life?

It’s more fun. Without risks, life would be boring and you would not be able to surpass oneself.

Where are you from?

Cologne, Germany.

What is your 9-5?

I am an art historian.

When you were growing up what or who did you want to be?

A famous architect.

Favorite place you've visited.

Rio de Janeiro and the Dolomites.

Place you most desperately want to visit.

New Zealand and South Africa. 

What is the single greatest moment of humanity you've experienced while traveling?

Meeting poor people. Like, really poor people. And the fact that when you realize that their struggle is connected to the global economy. 

What has changed about you because of your travels?

I became more attentive about my needs and about climate and environment.

Who is the most dynamic and thought provoking person you've ever met?

I met Edda Moser, a German opera singer, during a lecture at the Cologne Opera House. Her voice was recorded singing Mozart’s Magic Flute aria “Queen Of The Night”, which is part of the Voyager Golden Record. 

If you could travel with one person in history or in present, who would it be and why?

Otto the Great. He was a Roman German emperor in the 10th century. The kingdom of Germany was a travel kingdom, meaning because of its huge size, the German kings and emperors had no static residence. Several spread over the whole country, and he had to live a nomad’s life, like a lot of explorers do now. Well, and I’ve loved knights since my childhood.

Must haves for travel / travel tips?

Good shoes and a good jacket.

Give us a story any kind of story from one of your trips that will be impactful to the reader.

The feeling of slowing down when you are in the mountains. No rush and no stress. And the fact that you have to choose your equipment since you cannot carry everything with you.

Based on your travels, what is the single most needed improvement for humanity to be stronger?

A change in economy. I think big multinational companies and their urge of growth is one of the causes of the climate change and crimes against humanity.

What would you say to someone who has never travelled before?

Travel and collect moments and take off your blinders. That you don’t need to travel fast. That there are nice spots just around the corner.

What is the single greatest lesson you've learned from someone that is different than you?

My grandfather. He thought me to ask questions, not following the mass and trust one’s own heart (he was a soldier in WWII).

When did you feel you were most out of your comfort zone? What did you learn from that lesson?

During exams or just when I have to give proof about my skills. E.g. when you ask me for this. But I learned to fight against these fears and keep them small. Hiking helped me as well. The first glimpse of a mountains I wanna climb is always frightening. But on top, you feel like a king! 

What would you say to your former self?

Trust yourself and your skills!

What gives you hope?

That love always wins.

Where to next?

Italy and Rome in October.

Is flannel always in season?

Flannel is always classy. Love it.

Life Begins Outside Your Comfort Zone — Mike Kelley

Below is a preview of my conversation with Boston based photographer Mike Kelley.

READ THE FULL CONVERSATION IN FOLK’S SUMMER ISSUE | ORDER HERE

Mike Kelley is a Maine native, Boston resident, and wanderlust at heart that stole our hearts with his calm landscapes, cloudy skies, and images of coastal New England culture.

Why do you explore? I explore for one simple reason, fear of missing out. There are so many places in this world, without exploring and putting myself out there I am scared that I will miss out on truly incredible experiences. 

Why take risks in life? Life begins outside your comfort zone.

 Where are you from? Manchester, Maine.

When you were growing up what or who did you want to be? Growing up...well as a kid...I wanted more than anything to be a paleontologist. I was very much obsessed with dinosaurs and fossils so it was my dream to search for them as a career. Coincidentally I also loved managing money...this is what lead me to the finance field.

Give us a story: 17,000 ft. That’s how high I was in the Bolivian Andes when I blacked out. No memory of the last 1,300 ft of hiking. If you know anything about me, I sometimes make spontaneous, questionable decisions, this was one of those…I arrived in La Paz Bolivia the night before, a city that sits at 11,000ft above sea level. Most people have a hard time breathing the first couple days in the city and many get sick from the lack of oxygen. For some reason, I was fine. I noticed some pressure in my lungs, but nothing I wasn’t already used to. I arrived to my hostel at 10pm on a Monday night, knowing full well that I had Tuesday free (I had planned to do the death road on Wednesday) I called up a local travel agency that was still open and booked a hike for the following morning. 7am I met up with my guide, Choco who didn’t speak a lick of English and we headed into the mountains. A two hour drive and we arrived at the mountain base. A hike with just over 4,000 ft of elevation gain. I can do this easy peasy I thought. We headed up. Within an hour my head ache was becoming unbearable, my vision began to blur, my stomach felt like it was being stabbed constantly by a knife. I had NEVER in my life felt so unbelievably uncomfortable. Symptoms I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. As stubborn as I was, I pushed forward, higher and higher. The symptoms got worse. Little did I know I was entering the early stages of a very serious condition, HAPE, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema. I pushed onward, until I couldn’t anymore. Choco braced me as I lay on the rocks and forced our trip back down the mountain. 17,113ft…I made it just 100 ft. from the summit he later told me in his broken English. This day changed my life, I realized the overwhelming power of nature, something I will never, ever doubt again. So let it be known, take risks in life, but make sure they are calculated or else you may never have the opportunity again.

READ THE FULL CONVERSATION IN FOLK’S SUMMER ISSUE | ORDER HERE

Romance Your Wild — Jay McDonald

A PREVIEW FROM FOLK’S SUMMER 2019 ISSUE. CLICH HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY.

Jay McDonald brings a quality to adventure and photography that is met with equal amounts of humble humor and top notch skills. Known for his portraits in nature and his crystal clear landscapes he has stolen our hearts with his love of the wild.

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Why do you adventure? Well, to be honest I have severe ADHD and I can’t stand being in one place for a long period of time. I wish I had a more poetic and whimsical answer for you but that’s the real life truth right there haha.

Why do you explore? I think deep down inside of every one of us there is always  that little curious spark. We were built to get up, go further, run faster, etc.. And simply because it’s 2018, a lot of people have settled. I just can’t be one of those people. The nomadic life is long gone, but there’s still a little bit of nomad left in each one of us.

Why take risks in life? Life is too short not to. My older brother Kylan killed himself when I was 16 years old. That same summer, my life long very best friend’s Dad did the same. Prior to that, my Uncle (and more.. the list goes on but I think you get the point). It feels like I have been surrounded by sudden death from mental health and other things my whole life. I value fulfillment, happiness, joy, adventure and love over anything else. The statistics that you and I should both not be alive right now are too high not to do something crazy and live a little. As cliche as it is for me to say this, you have to “Romance Your Wild”, because today might be your last chance. 

What is your 9-5? I am a full time commercial photographer (yes not everything I shoot looks like my Instagram)... I had pursued a promising career in exotic dancing but apparently “Chip and Whales” wasn’t very marketable and I wasn’t willing decrease my carbs or fat load. If I am going to bring home the bacon, I am gonna eat it too.

READ THE FULL STORY IN OUR SUMMER 2019 ISSUE. CLICK HERE TO ORDER.

Photographer of the Day // Mike Kelley

From the first glance, each of his photos are extremely inviting. So inviting, that I almost felt like a firsthand witness. My brain invented sounds, smells, and sensations immediately-- the bears' snarls, the salty sea air hitting my nose, bare toes on a wooden dock. 

Click through for an adventure. 

Adventurer Q&A // Giulia Woergartner

The color yellow is bright, full of life, and undefinable. Many adults cower away from wearing yellow though, offering the excuse that yellow is "childish." Yellow is a color that requires a boldness to wear. It's not a color for the faint of heart. 

Giulia Woergartner calls herself, "the girl with the yellow jacket." Her yellow jacket she explained, is her trademark, a stamp that marks her adventures and photography as distinctly hers. 

[Q] Why do you adventure & Why do you explore? 

[A] Exploring means discovering new things, having fresh eyes for every new day and being inspired by little moments. I want to keep my eyes, ears and heart wide open. I want to create my own vision of the world and share it with others to inspire them to go on their own little adventures. I have a desire to see the most beautiful corners of this world. I have traveled and experienced quite a lot over the last few years, but the curiosity to see more keeps me going. My goal is not just to come home different, but better.

[Q] Why take risks in life?    

[A] Because life is short and it can be over at any given moment.

[Q] Where are you from?

[A] I am from the Dolomites, Italy.

[Q] What is your 9-5?

[A] I am a full time travel photographer, still sounds crazy to me if I say it!

[Q] When you were growing up what or who did you want to be?  

[A] I have always been a creative child, I always dreamed about being a painter or musician. Well any kind of artist really!

[Q] Favorite place you've visited?    

[A] The Faroe Islands and New Zealand still are my favourite destinations to this date!

[Q] Place you most desperately want to visit?

[A] Patagonia and a lot of places in the US.

[Q] What  has  changed  about  you  because  of  your  travels    

[A] I have become a more confident, open and loving individual

[Q] Who  is  the  most  dynamic  and  thought  provoking  person  you've  ever  met    

[A] Good question, I think that person is still out there!

[Q] If you could travel with one person in history or in present who would it be and why?  

[A] I would like to go back in time and travel with some of the real explorers 

[Q] Must haves for travel?

[A] My camera and a yellow jacket! 

[Q] Travel tips?  

[A] Sleep in cars, cook for yourself, save your money for more travels.

[Q] When  did  you  feel  you  were  most  out  of  your  comfort  zone? What  did  you  learn  from  that  lesson?

[A] I did a 7 months solo trip to New Zealand after graduating high school. I flew from Italy all the way to the other side of the world to explore ad capture every corner of New Zealand. I bought a van and lived in it for about 6 months. The first few weeks were tough as I had to adapt to this lifestyle and to the new environment. After a few weeks I realised that I was free to do whatever I want and I could simply enjoy life and see all these stunning places. The few things that I was really worried about at first ended up being the greatest benefits and lessons of this adventure: when you have a dream or a vision, you just have to go for it. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it, no matter how silly or ridiculous your dream might appear to others. Following your passion is the only thing that will bring you happiness.

[Q] What would you say to someone who has never travelled before? 

[A] I would show them my pictures and let them speak for me.

[Q] What would you say to your former self?  

[A] Love more, hug more. Be bold. Don't let fear run your life. Have confidence in yourself. Don't be self-conscious. Don't be so hard on yourself and have more patience.

[Q] Where to next?

[A] Canada!

[Q] Is flannel always in season? 

[A] Of course!

Photographer Update // Joshua Fuller

I have always loved idioms. If you're unfamiliar with them, idioms are seemingly nonsensical phrases that by usage became loaded with meaning-- kill two birds with one stone, once in a blue moon, pot calling the kettle black. 

There's an Icelandic idiom, "Það eru margar undur í höfuðkúpu," which translates roughly to "there are many wonders in a cow's head." To my understanding, it's a way to say that the world is crazy. 

These landscape photos from Joshua Fuller's trip to Iceland had me pondering the wonders in a cow's head. 

Do What You Dream

The melodic words of Ingrid Michealson’s song “You and I” bounced around in my head as I read a long email from Christian Bendel. Truthfully, I felt silly about it. As I continued to read Christian’s candid recollection of his adventure through Provence, I broke down and got reacquainted with the song.

“Let’s get rich and buy our parent’s homes in the south of France,” Ingrid says whimsically. 

The rhythmic song dared me to dream, but Christian’s words pushed me further. The goal of the adventure was, in his words, “to do what he dreamed, instead of simply talking about it.”

Much like the song, Christian’s adventure was a love story, and his photo series captures their relationship intimately. Together, they traveled through canyons, cities, and around mountains. They cooked their meals on a fire, and slept in their car.

Christian said he aspires to do things differently. He explained that living this dream was not a straightforward path, but one that required spontaneity, and flexibility. He called this adventure, and his past ones, “Crossroads” for that reason.

America The Great: A Roadtrip with Alexander Miles

These last few days have been incredible stressful and emotional for many Americans, so to hear what Alexander Miles, an Australian, had to say about this country was balm to my soul. To see the beauty of the land that this nation was built on and to hear the affirming insights from a foreign traveler was a refresher for the love and hope I hold for America. 

Enjoy a glimpse of Alexander and Lana's Great American Roadtrip where these two  traveled, explored, and photographed the grand natural landscapes of the West.

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Where are you from:

I was born in Sydney, Australia.

I've spent just as much time in Melbourne, Australia.

Age:

Depressing

Where do you live:

I live in East London.

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From someone on the outside what is the appeal of visiting America? 

 As a kid, I always thought the USA was like the wild-west. Fame, fortune, wild people and wild nature. Most of the media we consumed in Australia - especially growing up - has been centred on America. We are spoon-fed doses of Americana all our lives. As an adult, and having spent a lot of time in the USA, I realise that its part true and part fallacy. America is stunningly beautiful, complex and surprising. Anyone i've ever spoken to that've taken a trip in the states comes out of it enlightened and humbled by the people and the beauty of the nature. 

What are the most iconic ideas/places/landmarks/narratives of "America" to the foreigner?

The great American Road Trip is something that almost every person I ever speak to states as the thing that they want to do. A rolling landscape of the road, dotted with weird and wonderful Americana. A lashing of the kitsch and miles of tired, weather-beaten signs advertising cheap gas or rooms. 

I keep going back to the desert. There is a bleakness, a tiredness which I find really compelling. You can drive for days and at the end of your journey you can end up somewhere like Zion and you feel like you've landed on another planet. Incredibly rewarding as a foreigner to have the interplay of bleakness and the grand scale of the natural sights.

Also, not to be discounted are the people and places - those roadside truck stops with funny 'attractions' and museums. Diners always about the diners.

@lanadelporto

Where did you go on this trip?

We flew from NYC straight to Vegas. Picked up a convertible Mustang and hit the road - it is totally cliched, but we're from Australia, so we figured we had to do it. From there we drove through the deserts to Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Moab, finishing in the refreshingly green Colorado Rockies for a week.  

Where all have you visited in the past?

Lots of California, highlights being Yosemite, Death Valley. Nevada, Utah, Colorado. A little bit of the east coast, NYC and Boston, basically. For me it seems like the bigger attractions are always more in the west. 

@lanadelporto

What are some tips for navigating America if you aren't American?

Hire a car. There is no other way to see the USA other than by using a car. We were intimidated by the idea of driving on the 'wrong side' of the road, but it's a cinch and having the mobility meant we saw so much more.
Get out of the cities. For me the charm of the USA is in the nature, the small towns and the people who live out there.
Plan your trip and give yourself more time than you think you need. The place is damn big, and most great landmarks, national parks etc would need more than a single night to do it justice. We didn't do that last time. Lesson learned.
Try pretty much everything you can get your hands on - the variety of food you've got is staggering. S'mores! What a thing!

@lanadelporto

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Biggest pet peeve about America: 

Honestly? There isn't much. I'm trying to think of something? 

Oh! Ah! I've got it! Outside of NYC more often than not you'll find the worst coffee in the universe. It's totally butchered. For the record, to be fair, any coffee is better than no coffee, but for an Australian it's always a bit of an adjustment to get used to the heavily filtered coffee. Or, worse yet, Starbucks! 

Let's just chalk that down to cultural differences. 

Biggest thrill of America:

The feeling of anticipation when arriving somewhere extremely grand like Yosemite, Death Valley or Monument Valley knowing that it's going to be good and then it's so much better (and bigger) than you expected. When you sit there, looking at these amazing sights, jaw hanging, quietly just taking it in. It's probably not the thrill you'd expect, but it is the one that sticks with you.

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What makes America, America? 

America has had a bad wrap for a long time and a lot of people still judge it harshly and unfairly today. It's a beautiful country, full of great people who are just finding their place in the world. It's far from perfect, but nowhere is. 

I always think about a very sarcastic quote from a good friend of mine in LA who said when I mocked him and the USA prior to ever having visited: "You only hate us because we're number one!" I never really had much of a comeback for that and after having travelled through much of the USA, it was really apparent to me what he meant. 

It's a damn good country. 

To me, America being a country of 'more'. You want something? Well you can have more of whatever that thing is. You want a canyon? Well here's the biggest damn canyon in the world. You like steak? Well how about a huge, table sized t-bone? You want to buy absolutely everything organic shop in a vegan-friendly packaging with a soy latte and a kale salad? Welcome to WholeFoods! 

You guys live large in pretty much every way, and it's pretty hard to fault the pleasure and charm of that way of life.

I'm inclined to agree with Alexander. America is a damn good country. Let's continue to uphold, appreciate, and fight for the beauty & values of America the Great.

You can catch more of Alexander and Lana's travels on Instagram.

Alexander: @bethebravest                 Lana: @lanadelporto

Sit in awe as you watch their breathtaking timelapse of their journey through the desert.

A couple of wayward travellers hit the road and enjoy some of the greatest sights the US Wild West have to offer. Shot on a Panasonic GH4, and using a Rhino Slider to caption motion time lapses. We hired the Mustang from Alamo car hire in Las Vegas - absolutely the right car for the job!

Muir Woods

I create these stories and never remember to publish them. This is a set we took last year at Muir Woods outside San Fransisco. The woods is the most insane pocket of giant red wood trees, and is only about thirty minutes outside SF. 

You'll want to reserve tickets online as the wait to get in the park is otherwise rather strange and intense. 

A Moment at La Push, Washington

Last fall Brandon and I made our way from Seattle out to the Pacific coast for a night at La Push, Washington. If you've never made the leap and visited the Pacific Northwest, your visit is long past due. The nature is just insane. From the forests, to the rocky coasts everything is pure magic. These images were shot with a Canon 5D IV. 

Authentic Lives | Andrea Tamburrini

Known for his delicious European moments, here are some images from our archives by Andrea.  

Authentic Lives | Scott Bakkin

Canadian photographer Scott Bakkin is known for his landscapes of the Canadian Rockies and the western regions of Canada. Over the years we’ve collected a few of our favorite images by him.... 

"Shortly, It Will All be Memories" || Meet Patrice Plouffe

Photographer Patrice Plouffe has enchanted us with his dark and moody landscapes from across the globe. We wanted to learn more about his photography and his adventures so we sat down for a chat. 

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Why do you adventure?  When I’m on an adventure, I am by myself. Being far away from others and big cities makes me feel alive and helps me manage my stress. 
 

Why do you explore? I love to take pictures of wild animals. I explore to be able to find their most hidden dens and capture pictures of them in their natural state. 
 

Why take risks in life? I used to never take risks I was comfortable with the stability. But things happened in my life and that’s forces me to push myself and my limits. Sometimes even if you don’t want to, you have to. Personally, my best memories are from when I took risks. 

Where are you from? I am from Québec, Canada. I was born and raised the very small town of Saint-Sulpice (population of about 2,000). My backyard was fields and forests. I think that’s why I’ve always loved wildlife and why I’ve always had a special connection with nature. Presently, for work, I live in the much bigger city of Montreal, unfortunately. I do however on weekends get out of town as much as I can! 

What is your 9-5? I am the project manager for a downtown Montréal artist/designer company. 

When you were growing up what or who did you want to be? When I was very young I wanted to invent things, like an industrial designer. After, a little older, I started to play guitar and was in a band. So at that point I wanted to be a rockstar (haha). I’ve always be a very creative person: I play music, I draw, I take pictures. My big goal is to live off my art.

Favorite place you've visited? Everywhere in Iceland, but Jökulsárlón blue lagoon was magical. 

Place you most desperately want to visit? Indonesia

What is the single greatest moment of human humanity you've experienced while traveling? I will always be amazed how generous people are towards strangers. 

When I was younger I played music in a band. We used to do a lot of shows and tours away from home. For weeks we had little money and no place to sleep. 

People were always ready to invite us in to their homes, let us take showers and made us food even though they didn’t know us personally. There was also one family in Iceland that will always be in my heart. They were so generous with my friend and myself. They invited us, complete strangers, into their home. They made us dinner, gave us a place to sleep, shared their knowledge of Iceland with us and even lent us their car. 

What has changed about you because of your travels? I'm much more grateful for what I have in life. I enjoy the simple things that surround me.

If you could travel with one person in history or in present who would it be and why? I am used to traveling alone but if I had to choose it would be with my good friend Micheal. He’s not complicated, he’s as easy going as I am and we’re often on the same wave length. He pushes me to take more risks and be more adventurous. 

Must haves for travel? Toilet paper.

Travel tips: If you’re short on time and cannot take a long term vacation be sure to rent a car. By relying on public transportation you loose a lot of time. You’ll be so much less stressed and another perk, you can always sleep in the car if necessary. 

Give us a story: I traveled alone in Costa rica and everyone told me that it was a very safe place, but in the city of Tamarindo I ran into trouble. I was out at a club with a lot of Costaricans, it was the only night of my trip that I decided to go out to party. A Costarican was bothering me the whole night, trying to sell me cocaine. A little later in the night, a couple of drinks in, I had made friends with another traveler who was staying at the same hostel as I. I was honestly a bit tipsy and had to use the washroom, but it was very far in a dark corner behind the club. When I got out of the washroom the same guy who was harassing me to buy cocaine came at me with a knife in his hands telling me I have to buy his cocaine or I would be in a lot of trouble. Not knowing how to react I told him I had no money on me, but I would be back quickly with some. He obviously followed me back into the club. This is where I saw the one friend I had made at the beginning of the night. I told him I was in a lot of trouble and needed his help to get back safely to the hostel. He took a moment and tried to talk to the Costarican, without success. He couldn’t do anything for me because the Costarican had pulled a gun on him. At this point I must admit I was pretty scared, not to mention the club was closing in less than an hour. I didn’t know what to do. I told the Costarican that I needed to get to the bank and at that point I just bolted. I must have ran 6KM in 2minutes (haha) to get back to the hostel. Luckily I met a security guard who calmed me down and reassured me. Apparently in the drug “low seasons” in Tamarindo it happens a lot. I don’t have to tell you I didn’t sleep one wink that night. I would have to say, be extra vigilant and careful, you never know what can happen when you’re alone! Words of advice when you’re alone: don’t drink too much and keep your head straight. 

Based on your travels what is the single most needed improvement for humanity to be stronger: Humanity has lost its way, If I could remove one thing on earth to help the world it would be all the hatred, terrorists and religions. Every single human needs to accept everyone as they are. When defining religions, we create differences, thus separating us all instead of drawing us all together.

What would you say to someone who has never travelled before? Take time to enjoy and relax, don't be hurried. It’s over way too soon. Shortly, it will all be memories. You will regret if you don’t enjoy the moment.

When did you feel you were most out of your comfort zone? What did you learn from that lesson? Every time I travel I'm out of my comfort zone. I travel with only a backpack and a limited budget. That's what I love and I learn every time to be more grateful of what I have back home. The time I’ve felt the most out of my comfort zone was the Costa Rica incident previously mentioned. I felt very alone and powerless. I’ve learned to be more careful and not go to crazy partying alone in a club so far  away from home ;)

What would you say to your former self? Time changes everything, stop stressing, be patient, everything will fall into place.

What gives you hope? Photography, nature, landscapes, wildlife

Where to next? I would love to visit my country.  The Rockies, British Columbia. Also for my next big trip I would visit Norway. 
 

Is flannel always in season? No :/ I'm always hot. 

Estival Survey + Alaska

About two seconds.

That’s what you have between being asked and your response; before you let on.

It’s important first, to acknowledge we’ve reached the era of total geographical and technological accessibility. Our generation has become comfortable, in such a way that we can begin to treat a trip to say— Vik with as much insouciance as some may have once— and do, their honeymoon to The Bahamas. So with this accessibility, it’s become less uncommon to cross paths with those whom venture frequently. I believe it’s the sheer magnitude of some variables that revolve around certain destinations; kilometers driven, meters climbed, batteries exhausted, that continue to garner an audience eager to follow along, and possibly take part in the journey through your response. Your response, however, is what you control. Following the great distances and scenes catalogued, you have a brief opportunity to contort history to serve the limelight into which you’re asked to share it.

About two seconds: to say the trip was perfect, or to tell the truth.

We’d gone in, a band of misfit storytellers, documentarians, broken hearts and transcontinental navigators. We’d agreed to drive our friends’ [@floatballoontours] hot air balloon from Phoenix, some four thousand long miles, to Anchorage. Upon our arrival, the Cloth & Flame (@clothandflame) and Royal & Design (@royalanddesign) teams would rendezvous and fly the balloon over the great Alaskan frontier. We’d camp, cook and share in campfire tomfoolery along the way. We’d collect our cast as the journey unfolded, and exchange it as the screenplay called. We’d gather the endorsement of our favorite like-minded brands, and set course into the true unknown, unruly and untamed wilderness of the far, far north. We’d no idea what we were getting into, but as the self-proclaimed crew of the first Survey; Estival Survey, we had done the best we damn could to prepare.

Our initial trajectory took us across Joshua Tree National Park, Los Angeles, the mighty Redwood Forest, San Francisco, the dunes of Oregon, and up to Seattle, Washington, over the course of roughly seven days. It was seldom a matter of beauty, where our attention strayed, as it was a matter of cognitive survival. This was meant to be the mild stretch— the familiar territory where we’d have ample time and resource to recuperate and charge our souls before moving onward.

The reality, and the response we wish to share is that behind the glamor, there lies a greater truth. Fevers, flies, poisonous vines, damp earth and sleeplessness all laid the groundwork to a remarkably taxing expedition. The nauseatingly vast stretch across Canada had begin to set in several hours after crossing the border. The decision had been made to trek through until our final destination. We made several day camps— of course given the extensive amount of daylight the further north we ventured, allowed for some flexibility with this. Kathleen Lake, Yukon was arguably one of the most beautiful places we could have ever hoped to lay our heads, hammocks, and sip a beer in freshwater at. We knew, however, our time was limited, as we wished to make schedule to Alaska. We drove, and drove, and drove into some great towering blackness; bear dotted gravel ways and tree lines set to stun. We drove, and drove.

Our time in Alaska felt short. It felt longer than the days we occupied it, and somehow still brief. I think it’s the madness of going that causes this. The brands we had partnered with allowed for several remarkable campsites and experiences; unparalleled landscapes of blue, and soft etchings of green. Not to say we weren’t in some ways sick, smoke tainted and tattered. Several of us had developed sever reactions and wounds. It was rough. Tempers were fickle. We pressed on, to admire and notice the Earth we escaped to find, and connect with one another in ways we left home to conquer...

When the brazen adventure seemed to be nearing its end, I received an unexpected opportunity to plunge myself one more time into the throws of the unknown. On my last day in Alaska, one of our hot air balloon pilots, Jeff, a slow-talking, wispy outdoorsman with a salt and pepper mustache and a sweat-stained baseball cap, offered to fly one member of the Estival Survey crew over the Knik Glacier in his plane to snap photos since weather would not permit us to charter a helicopter and fulfill our ultimate dream of flying the hot air balloon over the glacier. Knowing it was my last day, my beloved crew of cohorts voted unanimously that I should be the one with the privilege of taking this flight. We went to the local airport and walked up to a 1958 super-cub single-prop plane. At first I was a little nervous about getting in that rickety old thing, but true to the spirit of our journey, I went for it.

Photo by S. Cole Kiburz (@coleplay)

We flew over Anchorage and roughly another fifty miles over gorgeous Alaskan frontier to the edge of Inner Lake Gorge which connects to the mouth of Knik Glacier. That’s when old Jeff announced to me over the intercom headsets that we were going to be landing there. We hiked to the edge of the lake to take in the view of the massive icebergs floating in the water. After a little while, old Jeff, inadvertently stumbled upon an old, overturned canoe that was hiding in the brush. We flipped it over to reveal two sun-bleached life preservers and two oars. The canoe frame was bent crooked in several places and there was a large crack in the green frame which is almost certainly why it had been left behind. There are no roads to take you to this lake so the canoe must've been flown in  by helicopter at some point. Jeff duct-taped the crack in the canoe and we tested it's ability to float in the shallow water. Once we were confident that the boat wasn't going to sink, we decided to get in and take it through the maze of icebergs; the majesty and grandness of which I will never be able to fully describe. The crackling, squeaking, breathing noise of the ancient ice and how each jagged tower was as beautiful as any sculpture. The blues were comically over-saturated and the whites were blinding. We grabbed a couple chunks of ice that had broken off and fallen into the lake. I don't know fully how to describe it, but this ice was somehow colder than normal ice. We wrapped a couple chunks in a jacket and flew it back to Anchorage with us.

Later that night, when my time on the adventure came to an end, the remaining crew ofEstival Survey poured a glass of whiskey over top of the ice and cheers’d to what had genuinely been, the trip of a lifetime.

Photo by S. Cole Kiburz (@coleplay)

This isn’t about running away from your problems or grandstanding or crusade. It’s about connecting with the natural world that is so easy to overlook in the times we live in. It’s about rectifying the blisters on your feet with the sunset from the mountaintop. It’s cleaning your hands and face in the cool waters of the river. I believe that the answers we seek reside within us, always. We are born of truth, but the unbridled beauty of this planet can help bring that truth out of us. Sometimes it’s simple; like how rain on the canvas tent can enhance the reading of a book. Sometimes it’s profound; like the twilight nights around the fire when the sun never fully set; when you question god and yourself. It’s when you realize once and for all that you ain’t no wilting twig damned to a cracked pot. You are a wildflower, born of the sun and the dirt. It’s when you agree to give it hell and see where you end up. It’s when you get up and get going. It’s when you let the compass point you forward and the stars compel you onward. It’s my sincerest hope that we may all meet with vigor the challenges of our destinies.

I aligned with an idea that life could be compared to attempting to lift the stool you're sitting on. I'm now more inclined to think it best described as adrift in a hot air balloon. Silence until noise. Still until caught. It all seems simple, and then you look around beyond the comfort of your woven chariot. You are at the mercy of variables beyond control, with your only powers to react or not. You notice places slip by below, and wonder whether they too had stories; whether they too have chosen a response, or one day will. Regardless, they pass. Regardless, the horizon will never repeat itself, for by the time you circle the sphere, the landscape has changed again.

We’d gone in, a band of misfit storytellers, photographers and makeshift transcontinental navigators. We’d agreed to drive our friends’ [Float Balloon Tours] hot air balloon from Phoenix, some four thousand miles, to Anchorage. Upon our arrival, the Cloth & Flame and Royal & Design teams would rendezvous and fly the balloon over the great Alaskan frontier. We’d camp, cook and share in campfire tomfoolery along the way. We’d collect our cast as the journey unfolded, and exchange it as the screenplay called fitting. We’d gather the endorsement from our favorite like-minded brands, and set course into the true unknown, unruly and untamed wilderness of the far north. We’d no idea what we were getting into, but as the self-proclaimed crew of the first Survey; Estival Survey, we had done the best we damn could to prepare. Created by Ryan Neal Cordwell & Royal & Design, 2016 Feat. Song For a Girl, "Orem Dugas," Jared & The Mill, 2016

Estival Survey, 2016 (#EstivalSurvey)

Words by Ryan Neal Cordwell (@ryannealcordwell) & S. Cole Kiburz (@coleplay)

Film by Ryan Neal Cordwell (@ryannealcordwell, @royalanddesign)

Photos by Constance Higley (@constancehigley)

Team:

Ryan Neal Cordwell (@ryannealcordwell)

S. Cole Kiburz (@coleplay)

Dylan Brabec (@dylanbrabec)

Constance Higley (@constancehigley)

Michelle Johnson (@meeshalrj)

Brendan McCaskey (@jarofbuttons)

Cheyanne Paredes (cheyp)

Royal & Design (@royalanddesign)

Cloth & Flame (@clothandflame)

Mount Tamalpais

We'd seen the view in so many photos. A golden hill high above the fog and clouds. Paths cut through the dried grasses and fading into the clouds below. We knew we had to visit while we were in San Fransisco. Mount Tamalpais is just a very short drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The perfect sunset spot and a very easy hike. 

The following are images I shot at sunset near the peak of Mount Tamalpais with the Canon 5d Mark IV. 

"Just north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais State Park rises majestically from the heart of Marin County. Its deep canyons and sweeping hillsides are cloaked with cool redwood forests, oak woodlands, open grasslands, and sturdy chaparral. 

The breathtaking panorama from Mount Tamalpais’s 2,571-foot peak includes the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County hills, San Francisco Bay, the East Bay, and Mount Diablo. On rare occasions, the snow-covered Sierra Nevada can be seen 150 miles away.

The park offers superlative hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, and mountain and road bicycling." — ca.gov

Wales on Film

 

WALES ON FILM

A PHOTO ESSAY BY CHRIS BUXTON

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Wales is the mountainous western cousin of England, a Celtic link to the past with over 1,180 km or 730 mi for us using the imperial system of coastline, and 50 islands decorating it. Boasting three national parks and the Heritage Coast, Wales is an untapped land of adventure. Chris Buxton, a lifestyle photographer based in Wales in the United Kingdom, uses 35mm film for most of his practice. He relies on film to achieve a feeling that digital cameras can't capture naturally.

Living in Wales, he'd never really travelled around the Welsh landscape and finally decided to explore it with his second set of eyes, his camera. "I was very shocked by how beautiful this country truly is," says Chris, "it has shown me that everyone needs to explore their own homes to see where they're truly from." Chris tries to capture the natural and inner beauty of the landscape of his homeland and put it on the maps of like-minded soul-searchers and explorers hoping to find a new destination and a new adventure.