Nearly a century ago, photographer Albert MacCarthy shot the very first climbing photos in the Bugaboos with his folding Kodak camera.
Now, he and his wife Bess’s treks to the top of unclimbed and unnamed Bugaboo peaks in 1916 open an exhibit of spectacular Bugaboo photography by amateur and professional photographers at the Capitol Theatre during the month of September.
The Bugaboos - A Celebration in Story & Image was curated by renowned Invermere photographer and climber Pat Morrow. Morrow and his wife Baiba will be in Nelson to present a breathtaking slide show at the Capitol of their quest to climb the highest peaks in all seven continents on Tuesday, September 25.
“This Bugaboo exhibit will provide the impetus for one and all to explore this gem of a park in their big backyard, with or without cameras, and discover for themselves the challenge of the heights and the nurturing effect of nature,” says Morrow.
Nelson area photographers Kari Medigand and Douglas Noblet join Morrow and 23 others, in contributing these stunning images. The pictures are accompanied by text on the “interpretive” panels. Extended captions describe personal experiences in the Bugaboos, whether they are first time visitors or veterans who have sought both refuge and challenge there.
Medig’s trademark “I wish I was there” photo from his Bugaboos to Rogers Pass ski traverse, Noblet’s distinctive aerial shot of the Howser Spires at dusk and Morrow’s “humans in nature” photos are among these memorable images.
The show was launched last year to commemorate BC Parks Centennial, and the natural and human history of Bugaboo Provincial Park. It was initiated by a significant grant from the Province of BC as part of BC Parks 100 — Arts in the Parks program with sponsorship support from Columbia Basin Trust, Canadian Mountain Holidays and Kicking Horse Coffee.
The show is a fundraiser for the Keep Jumbo Wild campaign.
For more information about the show and the Morrow’s upcoming slide show visit ecosociety.ca.