Precipice Lakes, Sequoia National Park, California, 1985 In 1985 my wife Nancy and I went on a month long trip into the Sequoia National Park backcountry. This trip was significant for me in two ways. First, Nancy and I made many first ascents including the most difficult wall climb in the High Sierra. I also made the first ascent of a previously unclimbed peak in the Great Western Divide. Second, on our way to pick up a food drop Nancy and I walked by Precipice Lake. Ansel Adams had made his famous 1932 photograph here, titled Ice and Cliffs. I walked around the lake and saw this scene at exactly the time of day (11:25 a.m.) when the lighting was perfect. I knew immediately that I had seen a very important composition. Not only was the composition important, but the fact that the visualization, idea, and discovery were a product of my efforts alone made this a profound moment in my photographic career. I came back the next day with my Galvin 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 camera and tripod. I made 8 exposures on Vericolor negative fild, only one of which was at the precise and perfect moment. This photograph instilled in me the personal importance of photography above climbing. Although I went onto make a 17 hour one-day ascent of El Capitan's Salathe Wall after this trip I was able to let go of my hardcore climbing days.