#ynpinstameet

[chrisburkard]

Wander ˈwändər/ verb 1.walk or move in a leisurely, casual, or aimless way. (at #YNPinstameet)

[campillustrated]

Yosemite Hiker

A few weekends ago I snapped this photograph on my hike to Upper Yosemite Falls. I liked the way the tree and its branches framed the mountains in the distance. I snapped a quick picture for later art reference. 

Back at my desk I sketched out the scene and added a resting hiker. This ink drawing is framed and for sale on my web store.

Finally I colored the sketch monochromatically in photoshop. 

[campillustrated]

Original watercolor and ink of El Cap with VW for sale via my store - Camp Illustrated

[gurunick]

“Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.” -Ansel Adams

Definitely my favorite image I captured during my time in Yosemite this past winter. Such a beautiful and special place. 

[campillustrated]

Watercolor and Ink sketch of a photo by chrisburkard - you can check out the original photo from the top of El Cap on his instagram page and follow along for more camp related illustrations on mine. 

[campillustrated]

Yosemite Instagram Meet

It is really convenient living 3.5 hours from Yosemite. When I heard Chris Burkard and Wilderness Culture, among other inspiring people were hosting a meet-up in the Valley I was stoked at the chance to go. I drove in late Friday night for a car camp. I woke up early Saturday and was lucky enough to join up with a group going to the Alcove Swing on the base of El Capitan. Everyone was harnessing in and giving the swing a try. It was a good ride. 

Around 10 a.m all of the Instagram folks gathered in the meadow. It was very cool meeting people who I have been communicating with or illustrating their pics for the past several months. Chris gathered everyone up for this picture and air dropped it to us later on at the camp fire. 

In the afternoon I went on a hike with Adam and Austin to these off trail falls. 

Later on we hiked up the couch to watch the sunset. The night ended with a great campfire, junk food, slack-lining, good talks, and a little beer. 

On Sunday morning I packed up camp at Upper Pines, set back up at Camp 4 before heading on the hike towards Upper Yosemite Falls. 

A nice view of the falls somewhere along the hike. 

At the top I took a few hours to sketch and take in the view. Later on the crew I had hiked to the Alcove Swing with showed up and Julie snapped this picture for me. I hiked up and down this trail in my bedrock sandals. They are super light and handled the rocky trails great. 

Before heading out Monday afternoon, I took some time to walk along the river and take in the landscape. Barely anyone was around, and somewhere near the top of El Cap Tommy and Kevin were working on some of the final pitches of the Dawn Wall. Above is a progress shot of a very cold sketch. 

As I exited the park I went on a short trail run and snapped this quick picture. 

[chrisburkard]

You know how you can tell it was a good weekend.. When you can still smell the campfire in your hair.. Even after a shower. So What's an Instameet people ask? Inside jokes, 2:45 am campfire talks, polar plunges, bouldering , buying $200 dollars in pizza, eating way way way too much pizza , s'mores and chips , chasing sunlight , getting lost , meeting a ton of random strangers and instantly calling them friends.. Being inspired by almost every photo on #YNPinstameet and loving every single second of it... That is what an Instameet is all about.. Or are Least that's what the Yosemite Instameet was like for me. More important than any single photo created and shared on this rad little app are the moments we put down our cameras and phone and just hung out and met people. This is why I love planning these things and if you haven't been .. Make sure you get to the next one ✌️@instagram (at check out #YNPinstameet)