My 4th favorite shot of 2009 comes from Zion National Park.  Over Labor Day weekend, my dad and I hiked through the Subway, from top to bottom with all of our camera gear.  Earlier that day I had slipped while descending into the left fork of North Creek and very nearly took a spill off of a ~150′ cliff (it really was the most scared of actually dying I’ve been in the backcountry), but despite that (and what I think is tiny–but painful–bone fragment still floating around in my elbow), it was a fantastic day.  I double-drybagged all of my camera gear to keep it dry on the swims, and it was worth it when we came to the beginning of the Subway.

My fourth favorite image of 2009 is one many Subway hikers don’t get to see because there’s a rappel standing in their way.  The first cascade in the system is not as magnificent as the others, but it had an Eden-like feel to it.  I feel this shot does a good job of portraying that feeling.

Inside the Subway system, Zion National Park, September 2009

I think one of the best parts of this image for me is the swirl of leaves in the lower left hand corner.  I hope you enjoy it!

Remember that you can receive 30% off of prints of any or all of my favorite images through January 15.  Also, be sure to check out my first choice for image of the year here.