Different Conditions

Matt McCormick has his systems down- slipping out of his sorels and into his fruit boots to start monkeying around.

I was about to get out to shoot a bunch and my back went out on me. WHAT THE?!?! Talk about bad timing, as I was more psyched than a kid in a candy shop! So, whatever- this stuff happens sometimes. Though ice climbing can be miserable in a love-hate sort of manner, it can also be a blast when it involved friends, sorel boots, mixed climbing, and cragging. I'm hoping the back heals quick and I'll be able to hang upside down soon. In the meantime some people that have an amazing infatuation with winter. I dig it.

Josh Worley getting ready for the sharp end.

Bayard Russell doesn't flinch at subzero temps when chillen', craggin', & belayin'.


Ryan Stefiuk hangs with the Northern kids for a bit, and he doesn't seem to mind it all that much.


Whatcha sayin' Josh? Is your rope frozen or sumthin'?

Alpinist 29: Go East

Above: Peter Doucette climbing the classic- Way In The Wilderness WI5

I just had a bunch of my images published in the newest Alpinist 29 magazine. Alpinist is an "archival-quality, quarterly publication dedicated to world alpinism and adventure climbing." This mag is something of it's own, and if you haven't taken the time to check it out- you should! Last winter I photographed a few New England classics I had been really wanting to shoot, and luckily I happened to work with a few climbers/friends who were psyched to make it happen. A big thank you to them, as it can take quite a bit of time and trickery to set up for these shots, or sometimes we simply have to get up way too early. But I could not do it alone, and they help make these images happen. It is always cool to see your work in print- especially when the shoot involves freezing my ovaries off in negative New England temperatures while my legs go numb hanging in my harness from my static- love it! Check out Alpinist 29 to see a great spread about ol' New England climbing, written by Majka Burhardt and additional photography by Jimmy Surette and Ed Webster as well!

Majka Burhardt heading up Remission (WI5+) in the first morning light as the base below stays in the shadows, and naturally gave off this beautiful blue tone.

Making It Happen

There is something very cool working with other artists. Creative ideas and vibes just start flowing as you're collaborating and at the same time trying to understand the overall vision. The end result needs to speak for itself. Singer, songwriter, musician and friend Cheryl B. Engelhardt asked if we could work together and do some pictures for her newest project. Previously I had told Cheryl that I would love to photograph her sometime, so I jumped at the opportunity. The uber-talented Cheryl is doing things a little different here folks. She is releasing one new song a month for the next year. She is asking passionate music listeners to be sponsors of her music, and what do you get in return? Incredible music. This is a very progressive approach in the tricky world of music, as it is becoming quite difficult for musicians to get people to buy their work. Think twice before you pirate music or start to listen to pandora over and over again. Check it out, spread the world, and become a sponsor if you can!

Visit: http://www.cbemusic.com/oneup.html
Official CBE Site: http://www.cbemusic.com/

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

It's getting quite festive as ol' Saint Nick time is approaching. I hung out at the train station the other night and I have never really took the time to get some shots of it. It almost seemed too cliche, which can often turn me off. But I decided to take this as a challenge. Sometimes photos are planned and executed. Other times it can be luck, and willing to experiment. I arrived at the train station right as the train was loading up with kids to go see Santa Claus at the North Pole. I was taking some stills of the train, and that was cool but I decided to just see what happened if I kept shooting when the train took off. I was much happier with the outcome. Then I love classics, and getting a night shot of that station seemed fitting. Mix it up, let go and have fun.

Flash Back, Numero Uno

Kris Odub doing it right on The Underling.

Hey y'all! I spent some time in the ol' Kentucky this past spring. In a sense that place is almost like New York City, it just never gets old. It is filled with climbers and high quality sand stone. It seems to be growing with new little crags here and there, and also climbers getting out and exploring the crags that used to be overlooked. Below are some highlights from the trip. I really wanted to spend some time with folks that are pretty much considered locals. One being Odub and another being crack master Yasmeen Fowler. It was a damn good time! Can't wait to pack my bags and head back down there in 2010! See? I told y'all.


Kris Odub being berthed on The Underling.

Yasmeen Fowler cruising along on Rock Wars.

Ray Rice loving the warm sun on the classic, Too Many Puppies.

Doug Madara on......on.....Super Slab!

A quiet moment with Odub.

Hot Off The Press

This past spring I received a phone call from Jim Shimberg. Jim is one of the nicest New England climbers I know- he is always the most psyched and most humble. Hopefully you'll get a chance to meet him and you will instantly see what I mean. But he called me up and it went something like this. "Hey, Annie! Yeah, yeah- we were talking and we thought it would be really cool to have Ted Hammond on the cover- yeah you know a piece of history on the cover. Not of this ol' fossil, but of Ted- do you think you could do that?" Now, I may have opted to put a hot crankin' babe on the cover, which is a guidebook ritual in the climbing world. But, this was a classy and classic request. Additionally, I was psyched to meet Ted and also get some pictures of him too. It seemed fitting to get him on one of the most well renown routes in Rumney, and also a route he FA'd some years ago. Now, Ted is a busy man, as we all are- and he had 3 hours of time to shoot this one afternoon. There is a quick window of when the light hits Flyin' Hawaiian just right in the afternoon, and we nailed it. A big shout out to all those who have been working on the new guide book (Bob, Daphne, Ward, Shimberg, and others!). Self publishing isn't an easy task to take on- thanks guys! Shouldn't we start working on the next one now? ;)