Max P. Silverman Photography

Ever wonder why the Palmer chairlift on Mt Hood is closed for much of the winter?

Here's the top station this week. 8500'

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The point of a climb isn't the summit. The point of a project isn't completion. The point is—here we are.

“Beyond the mountains, there are always more mountains—at least until you reach the final mountain before your time on earth comes to an end. In the meantime, few things are more exhilarating than mountaineering.”

(Meditations for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman)

📷 Taken last spring, a volcano sunrise to remember

In that moment of flotation ⛷ -

Trillium Alpine Guides
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Richard embodying the spirit of skiing, the joy of sliding on snow. The old truism holds: "the best skier on the mountain is the one having the most fun."

Swipe to final photo for proof that, if you want to be the best skier on the mountain, you'll be taking some cackling tumbles into the snow from time to time. ❄👏
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Mt. Hood Skibowl

Swipe for more skintrack 👣 🌲



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Wherever you're headed this week—don't forget to look up.

🌤️🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from the skies above Portland!

In this brutal world, I'm comforted knowing I can always clamor up high to watch another sunrise, alone on the mountain. Wilderness is democracy and freedom, presence and wonder—if we manage to protect it.

Please vote like your life depends on it. Many do.

And in the days afterward, let's take care of each other & find some solace in another sunrise.

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flirting with the seasons

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Who's ready? ❄️

Snow is already falling high on the volcanoes -- our PNW endless winter is kicking back into gear. This shot was May 20, on the headwall of Mt Bachelor's caldera.

Two skiers framed by mountain shadow... struck me as a story best told in black & white.

The Portland metro lies beneath the clouds in the upper right corner of this shot. March, 2024.

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Climbing season: after the crisp air rolls in, before the snow starts falling. Prime time for hard projects.

There's no inspiration quite like watching friends try as hard as they possibly can, in focused pursuit of a meaningful goal. HUUGE shoutout to Kevin for sending this desert testpiece with boldness & style.

While I've had plenty of my own climbing projects this season, I've also been pretty focused on improving my photography on rock.

In that spirit, after staring at them for way too many hours, I need some help... Which photo stands out? Drop a comment with feedback.✌

A new obsession: swinging around alone on the rope for hours at a time, scrubbing moss & cleaning cracks, trundling chunks of stone and drilling bolts to make these new routes safe for all to enjoy. This season, I'm super excited to have developed a couple of new rock climbs at our local crag!

This is Matt on Butterfly (5.10-), a trad pitch (yes there is one bolt) & my first FA. It's a long romp with delightful movement and an adventurous spirit, building on the work of other local climbers before me. Coolest of all, it's less than 10 minutes from home!

I had SO much fun bringing this vision to life & am grateful to have connected with the local climbing scene in all kinds of new ways this year. If you're a Portland climber, I hope you'll give it a shot! (And if you like trying hard, do me a favor & get on Dragonfly too...)

See you out there