The Images Behind The Stories: Who are the Wetasses who take all the incredible photos–usually hanging off a mountain side– that end up on the covers of big mags and even in the pages of TWC? What does it take to be a kickass expedition photographer. Well, check out this Outside Online story on shooter Jimmy Chin. Chin spent a month last year on the slopes of Everest, snapping pics of extreme snowboarder Steven Koch’s failed attempt to carve a new route down the North Face.

Chin always puts the grunt work first. “I’m there climbing. The photography thing is totally separate. You have to climb and do all of the training and the technical stuff. That can never be compromised. You have to do all of that, then you can think about photography. If I can’t hike or ski or climb, then I can’t be there to shoot.”

Chin took chances time and again to get into position to snap the best shots (there’s a great photo gallery with the piece). So, like, thanks Jimmy…



“Guys? Guys? I’m stuck in a crevasse here…..”

(Photo: Jimmy Chin)