A Year in the Life of Pro Photographer Forest Woodward

Forest Woodward has an enviable travel schedule. In the last year, the climber, surfer, and pro photographer has visited half a dozen countries, including Spain and Peru, and about 20 states in the U.S. Here are a few of the best shots he’s taken over the past year. Don’t be too jealous: Woodward’s images have a way of bringing you along for the ride.

Photo: The mouth of Havasu Creek, Arizona where its turquoise waters empty into the muddy madness of the Colorado River. The narrow canyons beg to be explored, but make sure your craft is small enough to fit through the tight sections.

Loaded with gear and provisions for our 28 days on the Colorado last November, our rafts rode heavy and full. When the wind picked up and the current slowed, as was the case on this particular evening, it took all the effort of the oarsmen to keep us moving downstream.

Each night we split the camp chores among our crew, with some folks building the fire, others unloading rafts, some setting up the groover, and a few of us tackling the most important job of all, preparing the dinner. Here, our resident chef hopscotches his way from one raft to the next in search of the night’s provisions and a cold beer.

Flowing fast and muddy, the Colorado can have her way with even the most experienced of river runners. Here, Jeff (aka Captain Calm) is pulled too far left and into the massive churning hydraulic that gives this rapid her name: Upset.

In the summer, trips on the Colorado are limited to 16 days. But in the winter, rafters get 28 days, so we had ample time to boulder at the heart of the canyon.

Winter at the bottom of the Grand Canyon means short, cold days with little sun. When a sliver of light found its way down to the bottom of the canyon, we ventured out of our way to feel its warmth.

On a bluebird day in January, four of us to headed into the Cascades for some winter fun. This particular route, New York Gully, runs up the North Face of Mt. Snoqualmie and tops out with a magnificent view of Mt Rainier and the surrounding range.

While March in Joshua Tree National Park can be chilly, it’s the best time of year for shooting because of the good light. The park is filled with a maze of small canyons and passageways begging to be explored.

As the sun dips over the horizon and the Joshua trees dance into the dusk, we packed up our climbing gear and headed to camp for a well-deserved rest.

Joshua Tree’s rocks bring out the kids in all of us.