Sierra Sojourn

The story behind the photographs  

In the summer of 2002 photographer Heidi Vetter realized her dream of exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains.  With a sixty pound pack, large-format camera, and photo supplies,  she embarked alone on an extended backpacking trip lasting  nearly three months.  

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After a year of preparations; planning meals, physical conditioning, first-aid classes, and pouring over topographical maps, she began her journey from Fish Camp with a mule, a large supply of Cliff bars, and an overwhelming desire to capture the spirit of the wilderness on film.

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She set out along the Old French Trail to Mammoth Lakes, then made seven loops, working her way south as far as Kearsarge Pass.  Her husband Ray met her at seven to ten day intervals to replenish her supplies,  and on occasion driving her to a new trailhead.

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Traveling up to five miles a day, she camped at prime photography sites, shooting around sunset and getting up for the sunrise to photograph again, with the beautiful basins above 10,000 feet being her favorite places.  While traveling the John Muir trail, she occasionally met other hikers, but off the trail other travelers were rare, and she had the wilderness largely to herself.

 Physical fitness was a serious issue in planning the trip.  After losing twenty pounds in anticipation of the hike, she lost another thirty on the trail.  After nearly ninety days of sun, healthy ( and often sparse ) diet, and constant exercise, her friends will attest that she looks great after her sojourn  which, she states, she would not hesitate to do again.

Now back in the security of her darkroom, Vetter demonstrates a different form of determination and stamina.  After working all day in her photo processing business, she closes the doors to the public, and works on until midnight developing and printing the images captured on the trail.   

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Using traditional color printing processes she has perfected over many years as a working photographer, she strives to distill the essence of her experience into twenty images.  Vetter hopes that these images will capture the grandeur and beauty of the Sierra Nevadas, and will allow her to share her journey and her personal vision with others.

 

This extraordinary body of work will be unveiled on Saturday, April 12 from 4 to 9 PM at Williams Gallery West in Oakhurst.  The show will feature a select grouping of large format photographs distilled from Heidi’s solo journey through the High Country of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.  

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The show will be preceded by a free talk and slide presentation by the artist at the Pines Resort in Bass Lake from 6:30 to 8 PM on Friday, April 11th.

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