Galen Rowell Remembered
When I first heard of the death of Galen and Barbara Rowell I went numb. It was one of those occasions when you will always remember where you were and what you were doing. We were, rather appropriately, out trying to capture the ‘magical light’ so beloved by Galen.
I first came across Galen’s work, quite by accident, one wet and windy day in a mountain shop in North Wales. I only noticed his book ‘Mountain Light’ because he had the same surname as my-self. When I thumbed through the pages and saw the mountain landscapes come to life before my eyes, I knew that here was a man that saw the world the same as I.
Little did I know that, years later, our paths would cross. I walked into his gallery in Bishop, a place he had recently moved to. He stood there smiling. After years of travelling he had found peace of mind amongst the Sierra Mountains he loved so much. It was quite ironic that, after years of facing danger in the worlds wildest places, his life would be cut tragically short so close to home.
I’m glad to have had the opportunity to meet him, to visit his gallery and to see at first hand the landscapes that had inspired him so much. I shall always be grateful for the inspiration that he has given me. Every time I see A beautiful dawn with ‘Magical Light’ I shall remember our brief encounter.
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