Howard Weamer is somewhat of a legend, his having been the keeper of the Ostrander Hut in Yosemite for now more than three decades. He’s a photographer and writer. Years ago I reviewed Weamer’s photography book for Couloir Magazine, and have wondered how he’s been doing as the years progressed.
Weamer’s beard has become rather white, but he’s still up there keeping his journal and being part of Yosemite mountain culture. The below video short offers a sweet vignette of the man.
Winters of My Life is a portrait of Howard Weamer. For the past 35 years he has spent his winters as a hutkeeper in Yosemite's backcountry. He fills his days writing, reading, photographing, and being an ambassador to mountain culture. This is a brief look into his world and why he chooses to stay.
Weamer fills his days writing, reading, photographing, and being an ambassador to mountain culture. I like the way this video portrays the peaceful side of the human spirit, what with so much crazy violent stuff in film these days. Or for that matter, compare this clip to the modern ski film “slay” segment. I enjoy either end of the ski film spectrum, this clip is about the spirit and the latest from Matchstick or TGR is about entertainment — but what a contrast!
New York Times article about Ostrander and Weamer
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
