It was early September years ago. I decided to solo hike up to Harrison Lake. Harrison is only about a two mile hike to a beautiful alpine cirque deep in the Selkirk Mountains.

I arrived and along the shore created my equally popular image “water dancer” before the sun set. Then I decided to build a smaller fire on some rocks overlooking the scene in front of me, in hope for a great portrait of the beauty. Then it happened! A sunset to match the color of the flames!

As the sun set a golden hue hung over the peak in the distance. I had my old, (at the time only camera), a6000 and rokinon 12mm manual focus lens and took this shot! With the older gear I made it work and to this day it’s still one of my favorites of the Selkirk range.

I stayed there for a couple hours after that listening to music on my Bluetooth while enjoying the fire. Then I hiked out in the dark. When I got home in the wee hours of the morning this image came to life.

This is a single shot no photoshop has been done.
Many have told me it reminds them of a painting done by the late Stephen Lyman. I had never seen any of his work prior until after I took this. I find it a huge compliment.

I personally have had a very long history with fire. I grew up building them in the woods with friends and by myself all times of the year. As a young child I would brace the elements in the winter months learning to build one in the snow in our backyard. And as I began doing more backcountry camping and hiking it has become an integral part of the experience. Sure, there are places it’s illegal to have one or I’m in too much of a time crunch. But when I can I do. I was also a wild land firefighter for a season driving a water tender.

Fire not only brings warmth and light but so much more to my life. It brings safety and closeness to others. Let me explain: When seated around a fire with people we just inherently open up. I have found fire to be the best conversation starter and a combination of deep and lighthearted things come out of us around it. It brings people together.

I have found even when all alone thinking and journaling my thoughts become clear around a fire. Also, when solo camping and you see a fire at the other end of the lake there is a safety one feels. I’ve been stuck miles out in the woods by my lonesome and fire was the only thing that kept and made me feel safe as I slept exposed, alongside it through the night. It also chases away those darn mosquitoes even if that same smoke hurts the eyes so bad they water in pain. Keep me Warm not only means a physical warmth. No, it goes much deeper than that