The People of the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon attracts people from all walks of life, from all over the world. The tourists and workers are just as interesting as the sites themselves. Here are a few shots of lookers in awe of the Grand Canyon.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

The Grand Canyon

My first trip to the Grand Canyon was unfortunately so early on in my life that I have no recollection of it all. However, 19 years later I finally made another trip. Walking up to Mather Point on the South Rim and watching the huge expanse open up in front of me is something I will never forget. Since then I have gone back two more times, and I plan on going back as many times as I can. With it's endless trails, climbing, and beautiful scenery, I can't imagine ever getting tired of being there. In my dream of life after photography I'll make it a must on the list of places to be a campground host.

On a side note, I shot mostly 120 film up while up at the Canyon, with my early 1950's Ansco Deluxe. While shooting I couldn't help imagining a time when the park was filled with people shooting the same old bellows cameras and Kodak Brownies. I'm currently waiting on that film to be processed. But in the mean time here is a digital one to hold you over.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

Cottontails

This week has been crazy eventful for me. Between starting a part time job and finding/applying/getting an apartment, I only had time to get out climbing once. Unfortunately I didn't shoot digital, so I have nothing to show, I did however shoot some 120, that should be developed today. Anywho, this weekend Emma's father, Frank, is coming to visit here in AZ, so we're taking him to the Grand Canyon! So to hold you readers over till next week I figured I'd throw up a quick post. These are some photos of a little guy I came across while hiking in Bear Canyon. He let me get fairly close without even worrying about me, and once I settled in a spot he totally forgot. He was standing on his hind legs for quite a long time, trying to snag a few leaves off of this bush.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

For Philadelphians

I know there are a lot of people checking out my blog from back east. Well if you're in the Philadelphia area during the second week of May you should definitely check out the work from the University of the Arts 2010 graduating class. It will be on display in Hamilton Hall at UArts from May 7th - May 15th. I know of at least two awesome photogs showing their stuff, Lou Caltabiano and Kris Shacochis. So check them out, tell them Tyler says hi, and know that I wish I could be there to see their work. Hopefully it will only be the first of many shows of their work. I'll be sure to remind people once it's on display.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

Spring in Tucson

Here are a few photos from several hikes I've done over the past few weeks while the Sonoran Desert has been in full bloom. And after some record rain fall this winter, the bloom has been amazing. Now I just can't wait for the elusive night blooming Saguaro to start.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates

Good Life Photography

Tucson Architecture

So awhile back I used to shoot a lot of architecture and street photography. I guess it was how I got to know Philadelphia, just wandering the streets with a camera. Well, recently I decided I should start doing that again here in Tucson. Since Tucson is definitely a city meant for driving around I realize that I miss a lot of things. I'll catch an interesting building here, or a random 20 foot tall neon Saguaro sign there, and I'm tired of it. So this begins my chronicling of the interesting and beautiful pieces of this city.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

This is an alley that leads to E. University Blvd from a parking lot on 1st Ave.
If you know the artist of these pieces, please let me know so I can give credit.

Indian Creek Climbing

Indian Creek offered so many great ultra classic climbs and shots. It was very hard to edit them down and decide on the best shots that showed Indian Creek, but weren't necessarily typical shots. These are some of my favorite climbing shots I've ever taken, I hope you feel the same.

Enjoy
Tyler Gates
Good Lfie Photography

Conor, unknowingly attempting a FA variation of
an unnamed 130' 5.10 on 2nd Meat Wall

Damien approaching the second awkward change
on another unnamed 5.10 on 2nd Meat Wall

Conor, after the cruxy change over on The Sicilian, 5.11,
on the Scarface Wall.

Damien rests before the crux of his first Indian Creek 5.11 lead,
Mantel Illness, Scarface Wall

Damien, working into the crux
Mantel Illness, 5.11, Scarface Wall

Conor, jamming his way to the finish on Wavy Gravy,
5.10-, Scarface Wall

The People

I came back with so many amazing images from Indian Creek, so I'm breaking the images up into separate postings. The first was of the great landscapes, this one will be of the great people I was with, and the next and final will be of the great climbing.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

Camplife below the Gash

"Bellessimo!" Gourmet camp cooking brought to you by Damien & Megan

On approach to 2nd Meat Wall

Describing the change over on the Sicilian

mmmm...cams

Not too many better places to take a nap.

Approach to Scarface

Indian Creek Landscapes

Looking Towards the Six Shooters from 2nd Meat Wall

I recently took a trip to Indian Creek Rec Area in Utah to do some climbing. I met up with a friend of a friend, Conor, and his two friends, Damien and Megan. Damien's an Indian Creek veteran and kindly showed the rest of us around on our first trip to Indian Creek, and my first time doing real trad climbing. More importantly he shared his plethora of gear, which without it we wouldn't have been able to climb anything, so thank you again Damien.

Indian Creek is at the south east end of Canyonlands National Park, about 40 miles south of Moab. The place is an unreal labyrinth of canyons, that seems to go on forever. It shares a lot of land with local ranches, and in fact used to be all ranch land. It wasn't until 1976, when climbers finally discovered and freed the first route on the Supercrack Buttress, that people started using it for recreational reasons. It was slow going, as far as climbing development goes, until the cam was invented. With the cam, good protection could be easily placed on any of the nearly parallel splitters covering all of the cliff faces. Shortly after climbers started flocking to the area the land was purchased from the ranchers and is now controlled by BLM with the help of the Access Fund and of course the Friends of Indian Creek(donations to either will help keep Indian Creek free and accessible to everyone, including climbers).
The landscape in the area is at once awe inspiring and humbling, especially as you discover just how truly massive the canyons and cliffs really are. I hope you enjoy these landscape photos of the canyons. The next posting will be filled with climbing shots from the area.

Enjoy,
Tyler Gates
Good Life Photography

Bridger Jacks and Six Shooters

Looking East down 211

Where it all started, Supercrack Buttress

Donnelly Wall

Sunset over the Six Shooters

Petrified Forest National Park

So don't worry, Utah photos are coming soon, but here are some photos from my trip to the Petrified Forest National Park when my buddy Tony came to visit. We camped at a miserable K.O.A. in Holbrook, AZ. On a side note, I highly recommend that no one ever stay at this K.O.A., the conditions were horrible, the amenities severely lacking, and on top of all of that they turned the sprinklers on the tent lawn in the middle of the night. Anyway, I do suggest you see the Petrified Forest. Here are a few selections from the trip.

Enjoy
-Tyler Gates
www.GoodLifePhotography.com

KOA site

One of the many places in Holbrook to buy pieces of petrified wood.

Tony has never been happier

Petrified Forest National Park

Badlands within the park.

Hooked on Crack

Hey everyone,
I'm spending the week in Indian Creek, right outside of Canyonlands National Park. Everything here is trad crack climbing, and tons of it. Unfortunately it's raining/snowing here after a day at almost 70 degrees here yesterday, so we're spending the day in Moab.

The landscape is awe inspiring and the climbing is humbling. Tons of photos coming next week so keep checking back!
-Tyler
www.GoodLifePhotography.com