

Image Courtesy of R. Drake, via Wikipedia

Howard Weamer first visited Yosemite National Park in 1971 to do research for his doctoral thesis, on John Muir. In 1974, the Yosemite Association hired its first winter hut keeper to staff the Ostrander Ski Hut in the park's backcountry. Weamer got the job, and he's been doing it ever since. A professional photographer, he has spent the past 35 winters at Yosemite, working, writing, reading, and cross-country skiing.

The Ostrander hut was built in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is ten miles from the nearest vehicle access. In this short video by Jonathan Burhop, a producer who has done work for the Discovery Chanel, Animal Planet, and National Geographic, Weamer discusses his love for Yosemite, and why he continues to spend his winters there.

Winters of My Life from Jonathan Burhop on Vimeo.

Makes you want to get out there, doesn't it? Well, hurry: Yosemite's been taking some hits lately, losing its big trees and glaciers.