AVALANCHE!!!-Of Colour-Canadian Rockies

I was in the backcountry today, north of Radium, B.C. I travelled to a remote lodge, up a rugged mountain road, to do some work. The sky was overcast, with layers of clouds hovering above the peaks. The grey scale hit every level, from soft paynes grey to almost black.

It was the perfect light to show off the autumns colours. The views around me were spectacular, with larch trees on fire and the valley bushes dancing in their bright light of autumn.

I hope that wherever you are, you get outside and experience the wonders of autumn.

Robert Krysak

Calm After The Storm-Canadian Rockies

Last Thursday I drove to a remote mountain lodge.........what should have been a six hour drive became almost nine. The forecast was for flurries and possible snow. From Lake Louise north to the Columbia Icefields, it was snowing hard, the road covered in 10-15 cms. of icy, white muck.(It's September, right?) As more traffic rolled up the highway, the surface became rink like. Cars were in the ditch, and on steep hills many cars and motor homes could not move either up or down. North of the Ice the road was bare and wet, clear sailing.

As I had to be in Banff by 11 a.m. the next day, I was back on the road by 5 a.m. Roads were clear and dry as I made my way back. About 25 kms West of Jasper, still dark with the Eastern sky beginning to brighten with the dawn, I came around a corner/rock wall that rolled down onto the flats. Directly in front of me was the rear end of a moose, loping down the center of the highway. It looked back over its right shoulder and our eyes met. As I swerved right to avoid an inevitable collision, the moose lunged left. We missed each other by inches. As I passed by the moose, I could have reached out and stroked its back, as I was driving a Sprinter van where you sit higher up off the road.

I pulled over, sat on the side of the rode and shook uncontrollably. After a few minutes, after splashing some cold water on my face and stretching my shaking body, I continued down the road.

Life is a gift....we never know what each day or moment will bring. When I turned the corner at Jasper to head south, the clouds opened up, revealing shiny peaks off in the distance. A sign, I think, to let me know the rest of the journey was going to be OK.

Enjoy your journey. Stop to savour it and experience all life has to offer.

Robert Krysak

Bugaboo Sky-Canadian Rockies

It's September in the mountains. The early morning air is so crisp and cool it slaps you in the face when you step outside.  When you exhale there is a vapour cloud. As the sun warms up the earth, dew is dripping off the trees, birds are singing and the world comes alive.

I was in the backcountry this week in the Bugaboos. At the end of the valley is Bugaboo Glacier, with the granite tooth, Houndstooth/Marmolata towering above the ice. Sitting on a bridge that spans Bugaboo Creek, I did a quick sketch of the landscape in front of me. My challenge for myself is to absorb my surroundings, really blend my senses into the surrounding environment, and create a sketch in less than 7 minutes.

Bugaboo Sky
4" x 5"
Watercolour on Moleskin

Robert Krysak

Bugaboos-Bavin Glass-Canadian Rockies

I have been very busy the past couple of weeks travelling to remote mountain lodges. I work part time with CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures, and have been travelling to the Bugaboos, Cariboos and Bobbie Burns.

The other day I was at the Bugaboos delivering product to the lodge. It is a majestic place, with granite peaks towering around you. The bar in the lodge has a massive window behind it, with a spectacular view of the mountains. In the window is a glass blown fish, created by Ryan Bavin, Master Glass Blower. It was early in the morning, with wraithlike wisps of cloud floating around the valley floor.

I wanted to capture the fish with the mountain scene behind it. I moved my camera to many positions, and at the right moment pressed the shutter. I quickly looked at the image, then went to begin the journey back to Banff. It was not until later in the day, back home in my studio, that I really looked at the image I took. Without planning to, I had captured the fish in such a position that a wisp of cloud was coming out of it mouth. It's as if it was exhaling vapor from deep inside it's molten core.

The phrase"Being in the right spot at the right time" came to mind.

Robert Krysak