Well I just can't seem to get my ideas hashed out until I'm backed into a corner and have to come up with something on the final day. This should have been easy this round but weather got in the way. Good thing I had a stabilizer plug in or I wouldn't have much usable footage for this round. Any way I hope you find it interesting. Thanks for watching and any and all feedback is welcome.

Wind in Chinook Country by Gordon Hoffman - UWOL36 on Vimeo


Gordon Hoffman

Hi Gordon:

You live in stunning country and your capture of it through the lens of your camera tells the tale. I really liked this. I liked your narration and I like your voice. It was informative and as always, framed in amazing footage. I like the footage of the snow blowing down the mountain at about 30 sec in. It makes it seem you were way up on a mountain somewhere to shoot that up close and personal.

I also like the facts section at the end... nice effect to end it off!

My only thought was using some graphics to visually show some of the things you were describing, like how the Chinook forms (~ 1:15 min in) or also (less importantly) the two types of clouds that form with the Chinook: first the graphic juxtaposed to the real thing like you show in your video.

That came to mind simply because I personally visually understand things being described when I'm looking at a diagram. Not for everyone!

Like always, top notch entry Gordon! You Rock! :)

Hey Gordon,

Great film! I've heard of the Chinook but that's about it. Knew they were strong winds but you brought them to life for me.

Stunning mountain footage! I felt cold just watching. :)

You do well backed into a corner! :)

Wow Gordon,
I'm not sure i have seen all of your entries, but of all the ones i have seen, i think this is your best!
I have heard about the Chinook winds, but your film was so informative, & put forward lots of very interesting information on how it all works, along with some very interesting facts. Of course i'm not sure how you put up with all that scenery where you live there in Pincher Creek. That must be tough! :) I especially like the shot @ 1:04. Oh and the one at 2:15 was a ripper with the hawk flying overhead of the dear. Well done too getting those shots in that wind! Looked like you could be blown over in that!
If i can add to Cat's mention about the graphics. I think she is right, they would help for sure, however, while i added some graphics myself this round, they are nothing compared to what she is able to add to her films. Maybe we could have a little bit of a learning session on graphics. Perhaps Cat could point us in the direction of where to learn more about graphics & how to add them??
Well done Gordon, i really enjoyed this one!
Regards,
Bryce

Hi Gordon,

This was interesting! Yet again I learn something new from watching your films.
Do you get any prewarning of the Chinook winds as they build up? You see the clouds build in advance?
Impressive temperature changes in such a short time. Thanks for the fact section at the end.

I like how you captured the blowing winds on the mountain ridges. Seeing the clouds and hearing you explaining them. Very well!

Nice to see how the snow was removed in the leward mountain slope by the winds, and how it actually helped the wildlife during the cold winter months.

Graphics has been mentioned by others. Personally I didn't feel the need of graphics. But I see how it may add to the explanation of the Chinook winds. I like it how you made it.

Do you only have one audio channel? I only got sound from one of my speakers while watching your film.

Thanks for sharing!

Hi Cat - It is beautiful country but as I've always said you have to be able to put up with the wind. I have been up on a mountain a few times when the wind has been howling. Getting a little smarter in my old age but it's hard not to get out there even when the wind blows. As for graphics it had crossed my mind that it might help but that is uncharted waters for me. Maybe some day. Thanks for the comments.

Kevin - Thanks Kevin. The winds can vary a lot in speed but it can still make it a challenge to keep a camera steady even on a tripod. I thought it ironic the day Trond released the theme the wind gusted to 105km/hr here at home that afternoon. Didn't have any snow then so I didn't bother trying to shoot anything. the trouble with being at the deadline trying to get something together is I miss things and I think Trond found one of them. Thanks again.

Bryce - It's alot tougher than you think. I live east of Pincher so I see the mountains every day and out working I know there is a place I rather be. One thing is I do get a number of my shots right from home (@ 1:04 and a few more). Maybe I'll have to try my hand at graphics sometime to see what I can do. Thanks for the comments and take care.

Trond - Some people suffer severe migraines before a chinook hits so they know. One of the first hint of the west wind is the snow starting to drift of the mountain peaks. Often you will see a bank of clouds building in the mountains the evening before. Not all chinooks are that strong and some are not that warm either. But as I mentioned they do make this country winter range for a lot of wildlife as it does bare off the open southwesterly slopes. As for the audio you are probrably right. One reason I should get the editing done earlier, but then I never got some of the footage until the 29th so I guess I should get the footage earlier to. Thanks for the comments.

Gordon

Thanks Gordon. That was a very well shot and informative film. The wildlife shots were great. You certainly addressed the topic of Weather. The shots of the clouds and the wind were forceful and really got across the power of the Chinook.

Thanks Tim.

Gordon

Gordon,

You have introduced me to a very new phenomenon called Chinook

The footage is nice and explains the story very well, you explain it very nicely

Gordon, Excellent learning material! Super images and story of the chinook wind and its effects, downsides and benefits.
I would like to have seen the facts explained a bit more, to make a stronger ending, but I enjoyed watching.
And here was me thinking that the chinook was only a helicopter.....

Vishal thanks for the comments. It's funny that the one thing a lot of people remember of this area is the wind.

Paul Yes there's a chinook and then there is a chinook. Yea I tend to keep things a little short, Appreciate the comments. Thanks.

Gordon

Hi Cat - As for graphics it had crossed my mind that it might help but that is uncharted waters for me. Maybe some day. Thanks for the comments.

Gordon

Hey Gordon: I really enjoy trying my hand at graphics and am always interested in doing more. If you ever want to collaborate together on a graphic sometime I'm all in! :)

Thanks Cat I'll keep that in mind.

Gordon

Hi Gordon.

When I see your film Gordon, I think of the song that starts like this (allthough it's a lovesong):
"Four strong winds That blow lonely, seven seas That run high ... etc".
Why? Because Alberta is named in the lyrics.

It's the first time I hear about the chinook wind and I'm greatful you take us alongside and teach us about it.
I have heared of foehn wind, but never did I know they can blew the snow away in just a day.
It's amazing what we learn in this forum of ours.
You have a great scenery over there and I'm happy you gave us a peek into it.
Thank you so much.
Cheers!

Geir Inge
Yes an Ian Tyson song. He lives in Chinook country to.
That is the neat thing about this forum, a person gets to see different places all over the world and learn things too. Thanks for the comments and I hope you are feeling better.

Gordon

Gordon,I know you have been told this before but I'm gonna tell you again you have beautiful country up there, but my God it looks cold. I graduated from the University of Idaho, in Moscow Idaho, I remember the chinook winds. I particularly liked the way the story about the Chinook, not only it's tremendous speed and power, but also it's benefit to wildlife. You told very compelling story. I think I am really enjoying the fact that more and more of these entries Not only contain stunning footage, but there are also a teaching tool for people. You did a very good job explaining how the wind comes in, how it affects wildlife, and the different types of clouds that the wind forms over the mountains. It is a great formative video. Thank you. Bob

Bob - Thanks a lot for the comments. The one thing I always liked about the UWOL was getting to see different parts of the world. Seems there is always something a person can learn from watching them and this round was really good.
Thanks again.

Gordon

Hi Gordon
You have some great shots in the video, and it gives some very strong visuals to tell the story. It was pieced together well and was informative whilst being enjoyable to watch.

Hadn't heard of Chinook winds before, just terms like katabatic and adiabatic winds with respect to fire behaviour. While working in the ski fields years ago at Falls Creek, Victoria we had quite warm winds one day that in a few hours decimated the snow cover. A timelapse would have looked like the snow being eaten away - eroded by the weather. It's interesting how geography can shape the weather to that extent, whereas I was looking at how weather can affect geography.

Great to see your part of the world, all these videos are like scattered memories of a trip I never took.

Gordon,

one of the best explanations of a chinook I have heard , and seen. They are always welcomer here usually the day after you have been hit. The fall has seemed like one continious chinook here.

I love fishing the crowsnest river The scenery is awesome out there and you did a nice job showing it.

fine job and thanks for taking the time to share!!!!

Andrew - A chinook wind is a regional term for a foehn wind so I learned while looking up some facts. There is a local ski hill here and some winters it can be a challenge for them to keep operating. A couple days ago it was raining here.
Yes that is one of the things I enjoy about the UWOL is seeing different parts of the world. Thanks for the comments.

Dale - I figured you might feel the effect of them. Yes it has been pretty mild this fall. So how often do you come out here to fish the Crowsnest? It is a pretty piece of country. Thanks for the comments.

Gordon