REVIEW: Vangaurd Alta Pro Tripod

Vangaurd Alta Pro-263AT Tripod with GH100 Head

This Tripod has been with me 12,000 feet above sea level and more than 700 feet underground and everywhere in between.  It has seen 128 degree weather and -16 degree weather. It has been through snow, mud, rain, and hail. It has been drug against narrow canyon walls, forded streams, and pulled through dense forest. Through all of this, it has performed flawlessly.

Here are some images I have taken while using the tripod.

All in all there is not much more you could want out of a tripod. The only negative aspects that I have encountered are that it is a little heavy (but you get better durability) (and very light weight considering the price), and the second negative thing is that it does not tilt the camera upwards (easily done just by rotating the head 90 degrees to the left).

This tripod offers amazing versatility, stability, and durability for an amazing price.

I will be doing a review video soon where I will show more features and benefits.

RED BULL RAMPAGE 2013

Feel free to use my images for personal use (ex: desktop background etc.) If you are using it for any website, blog, or any other type of site, Do not use without giving credit by posting a link to my blog as the source.  Thank You and Enjoy the pictures

Cave Valley Pictographs Outside Zion National Park Utah

Another Trip To Zion National Park

 Observation Point Hike

(Go Here to view my previous post on Zion National Park)

The Trail

The Observation Point Hike is challenging but is in my opinion the most enjoyable hike in the park. 

There is a really good trail description here if you would like more details:

Great Trail Description

Lake Blanche

 Lake Blanche 

It is fairly easy to find the trail head.  There are lots of descriptions online of how to get there but i just searched for "Lake Blanche" in Google maps on my phone and it led me right to the parking lot.  Form the parking lot you follow a paved oath along the river and you see the trail head marker on the right.

Once you start on the path it is almost a straight shot to the lake.  As you can see in the picture the hike is only 2.8 miles but with the elevation gain of 2700+ feet, it is a long 2.8 miles. Moving at a quick pace with a few short breaks it took me 1.5 hours to reach the lake.







Although much of the trail is bordered by shrubs and trees there are still some great views looking back down the canyon.  The trial is well maintained but there are still some spots where the trail is crowded over by bushes on the sides.  The trail also had a lot of insect activity. (bring insect repellent especially for when you reach the lakes)








The trail also has a lot of wildflowers.  I did the hike in late July and there is likely to be even more earlier in the year. There was also a lot of wildlife along the trail. I was there early in the morning and that my have been why.

 

The elevation gain is steady and there are only a few level parts of the trail.  Make sure to bring plenty of water for the hike. Just before arriving at the lake you will go through an area that has the names of past visitors from just months ago to a hundred years ago.  The destination is just over the ridge from this point.  My suggestion is to go early.  I left the parking lot at 5:45 and I had the whole trail and lake to myself.  The only other people I saw were on their way up as I was hiking back down.  The hike back down took me actually more time than the way up.  It is hard on the knees going back down because of the constant and quick elevation drop. Another reason to go early is because the side of the canyon that the trail is on was still in the shade when I hiked back down. I would definitely recommend this hike.  Although it is strenuous, the destination is well worth it.
 

Lake Florence

Lake Florence

Lake Florence

Lake Lillian

Lake Lillian

 

Cathedral Valley - Capitol Reef National Park

The 60 mile loop through Cathedral Valley is an amazingly diverse landscape.  The geological formations are incredible to view and even though it is very spread out, it is well worth time time it takes to drive. 

The loop has two different entrances. One has a river crossing and is less accessible and the other is more accessible   Both however will still require a high clearance vehicle.  There are many riverbed crossings and in the early spring there will be water in them at times but the main river crossing is the first one.   

It was actually a lot easier than expected especially since we went int he spring and that is when the river can be at its highest.  It was only a few feed deep and the jeep had not trouble getting through it.  I read online that when you enter the river it is best to stay close to the right hand side and then take a sharp turn across when you get to the landing.  I went back and forth over the river a few times (for fun and to pick the camera man back up) and took different routes.  It was easiest to go straight across at the landing but if you have a 4x4 with good clearance then you should be ok no matter what route you take.  

The picture below was taken when the river was pretty much at its deepest point.  

There is a lot of open space on the drive and a lot of cows! There is a lot of sand as well so it didn't help with  the MPG (make sure to fill up before you start the loop and bring extra gas just in case) but the 4x4 v8 came in handy on a few of the hills.  There was evidence of a few vehicles who had some trouble getting up the bigger hills with how deep the sand was in some areas.  

For those of you who are thinking "the loop is only 60 miles so why is having enough gas an issue?"... the guy who owned this car was probably thinking the same thing

On this side of the valley there is an impressive view of the South Desert.  

We took the drive slow and enjoyed our time. There are a few hikes you can do along the way as well if you have the time. Half way through the loop there is a nicely developed campground that is free and is available on a first come-first serve basis.  We were the only people there that night (we only say 2 other cars the entire time we were on the loop.

Close to the campground (on a turnout before you get to the campground)  there is a cool overlook that is just a short hike.  

The next morning we drove to the Gypsum Sink Hole. but on the way we took the detour to an old cowboy cabin that is still in good condition.  It was full of artifacts from the area and was cool to visit.

Then on to the sinkhole...  It is a HUGE feature.  In the picture you can see how small my shadow is compared to the hole and it took multiple shots from my wide angle lens to capture the entire thing.  Be carefull along the edge as the dirt is loose and there is no barrier to keep you back.  

The main attractions in the valley are the "cathedrals" themselves.  The picture below is of the temple of the sun an glass mountain.