Inspired by my buddy Scott Tice's "best of 2016" album (click here to view), I am going to share the stories behind the photos that I have selected for my "best of" album.

We start with a photo I have called "Into the White Abyss".

This photo was taken at the top of the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix, France. Chamonix is the home of modern mountaineering and the Aiguille du Midi serves as an access point for many mountaineering activities. There's an access point that leads out onto the Vallée Blanche. The trail is a narrow boot path with steep drops on either side - the northern side dropping an astonishing 3,000 feet to the Plan de l'Aiguille below. Adventurers willing to brave this steep slope are typically tether together so if the worst happens and someone slips, the other members in the party can pull them up. Not only do they tether together for the descent from Aiguille du Midi, but also because they are making their way onto glacial terrain littered with crevasses.

We made our way out through the snow tunnel onto the landing where the gate departs the safety of the Aiguille du Midi. You can really get a feel for what it's like to step onto the steep slopes from here - you are surrounding by snow and steep slopes. We were fortunate to have clouds passing through while we were up here - it really added to the mood.

I grabbed my camera and took photos of those who were brave enough to embark on what I can only presume were epic adventures. It's moments like these that I wish I weren't so afraid of heights because I can only imagine the incredible world that lies beyond those gates. Maybe someday; hopefully.

You can read more on my experience on the Aiguille du Midi by clicking here.

Technical info:

Canon 6D
Canon 24-70 f2.8L II
B+W 82mm circular polarizer
38mm
ISO 200
f/11
1/500sec

Behind the Photo: Best of 2016 - Into the White Abyss