Mid Summer Days are here.

I hope you have camped some, swam some, and come home waaaay after dark too many times.

This edition of Stoke-ness is like cooling aloe vera for your sunburn, it's going to make you feel better.

Photo techniques, new places, and new gear are all in here.

Be stoked,

Isaac

New Places

Meg and I recently hiked to the top of Great Northern Peak. The hike is burly, 4,000 vertical feet over 4.5 miles. They apparently had no use for switchbacks and it is one of the steepest trails around.

About half way up you start walking along the ridge which has views of Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and the Great Bear Wilderness.

It's about 9 miles 'round trip and takes a full day. This peak is a great alternative to the busier hikes in Glacier park. Bonus: you see and hike along the Stanton Glacier.

Google Maps Pin

Gear

One of the questions I get asked most is "What brand of sunglasses are those"? (You can see them here in my super "modeley" pose =)

I admit, my frames are a bit weird, but weird is good. My new favorite set is Northern Lights Optic NL-7. They are classic glacier glasses with removable leather side and bridge pieces.

I use them on moto rides and in the mountains. They are as useful as they are cool.

See more here

Who I'm loving on Instagram

@_christopherjs

I just found this guy and am in love with his clean landscapes. Specifically, this photo of the desert with western clouds. Yeesh it's pretty to look at.

Give him a follow here

Music I'm Diggin'

An album I have recently started listening to again is "Dawn" by Ry X.

The mood is great for scenic solo drives and cool, lazy mornings with coffee.

Give it a spin.

Videos, Movies, and TV

I know I already mentioned my sunglasses, Northern Lights Optic. I have been showing all of my friends their video recently.

It is the perfect summer adventure video complete with fly fishing, off roading, and secret swimming holes.

Give it a watch

Reads

Ok so this isn't a book, but it will change your reading.

Overdrive app. It's like Audible, but is free. Yep, free. It connects to your local library and lets you check out audiobooks and e-books for 14-21 days.

I have consistently read and listened to 25 books every year for the last 3 years thanks to the app. It's a life changer.

Now every time I have to drive somewhere, do dishes, or some other thoughtless chore I listen to a book. Life is more fun and I learn skills.

Find the app Here .

Photo Technique

I was chatting with my brother about one thing that could make landscape/lifestyle photos better for someone just starting out.

My answer was simple: take most of your photos at sunrise and sunset.

Photography is recording light. It makes sense to record it when the light is dreamy and soft. Shooting during this period seems like a tip everyone would know, but most amateur photographers don't focus on this. Try it for a few months and let me know how it helps you.

The concept isn't to only take photos during sunrise/sunset, but instead to help you take photos that you will be stoked on. When you are stoked you will take more photos, which will make you a better photographer through practice. It's going to give you confidence and excitement, you want that don't you? =)

Feel free to send me your sunset/sunrise time photos. I'd love to see them.

Thanks for reading. A couple things I could use your help with:

I'm in Spain at the moment. What should I see between Malaga and the Pyrenees?
Have something I should be covering? Reply to this email.

Be stoked and have a great month,

Isaac

Stoke-ness August Newsletter