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.

San Rafael Swell Part 2 (Goblin Valley Area)

Wildhorse window A.K.A the Eye of Sinbad

Wildhorse window is a natural bridge associated with a large window.  You get to the window after about a mile hike off the road that leads into Goblin Valley State Park in Utah.  It is visible from the road but doesn't look nearly as impressive as it does when you get up close.  The trail is somewhat difficult to find and also to follow although it is marked by a series of stacks of rocks that past hikers have left.  There are a few different sites that have descriptions of the trail and how to find the window.  The site I used was http://www.utah.com/hike/wild-horse-window-trail.  Someone had used the rocks marking the trail head to make a fire pit but we destroyed the fire pit and rebuilt the marker.  

At first we didn't even see these but they are on the right hand side of the cave (when entering in)

   

There wasn't really a train up to where we wanted to go but we just navigated our way up and around and it was well worth the time we took to get there

This is the view from the cavern next to the main window

There are some minor obstacles on the way there and back.  The water will likely be gone in early summer but if you go before then be sure to wear shoes you don't mind getting wet.  Or just take the time and effort to navigate around the pools.  There are also a few sheer drop-offs along the trail so be sure to be careful as you hike to and from the window.