Each time I set out to photograph Mountain Goats, I know I’m in for an adventure!

5:00 a.m. and my alarm clock sounded quietly on my bedside nightstand. Peering out my window into the early morning darkness, I could sense that it was going to be another bitter cold winter day. Gathering my camera gear, I stepped outside and immediately the frigid temperature sent a chill to my very core. This was going to be a great day!

I reached the mountain as the dawn’s first light began to illuminate the sky. Looking up, I saw rocky cliffs high above. That’s where I would begin my search. Now, I just needed to get there, and so, I started to climb.

I’ve climbed many mountains over the years, but it’s a completely different experience in the middle of winter. The snow that covers the mountainsides hide unseen dangers below. Icy patches, jagged rocks and invisible holes were just a few of my concerns as I scaled this giant, snowy pinnacle of rock. It was slow going, but I felt at one with the mountain as I steadily progressed.

Finally, I reached the rocky cliffs that I had spied below earlier that morning. Now, the real danger would begin. Stepping onto the rocky band, I took every step with infinite care. Icy sheets dominated these narrow rock bands on the cliff face. A single misstep here would mean a fall of hundreds of feet. No mistakes allowed here. The Mountain Goats I was seeking seem to prefer these rocky bands, the dangerous conditions providing security from predators.

The short winter day passed quickly. Here and there I would find signs that Mountain Goats had been here, but I still hadn’t seen any. I was starting to make my way off the rocky band that I was on, ducking below some giant icicles dangling above me, when I heard a falling rock just around the corner. Dodging some more icicles and a particularly well-hidden patch of icy ground, I rounded the bend. There it was, a beautiful fluffy, white Mountain Goat. Settling down against the cliff face, I raised my camera and smiled to myself, a great day indeed!