Herald reader Larry Lee of Bothell is the first “Your Best Shot” winning submission.
Lee photographed part of the original Cascade Tunnel in September of 2001. The tunnel, built in 1900, served as the route under the Cascade Mountains for the Great Northern Railway. It was abandoned in 1929 in favor for a longer tunnel built at a lower elevation. Readers may be familiar with the tunnel and its history by associating it with the Wellington disaster, an avalanche that killed 96 people March 1, 1910. To date, the avalanche is the worst natural disaster in Washington state history.
Lee’s photograph is unique. In the winter of 2006-07, part of the tunnel caved in and the Forest Service closed off the entrance due to safety concerns. Hikers on the Iron Goat Trail can no longer enter the tunnel, although they can view the entrance from a distance. Another unique aspect of this photo is the film used. Lee used Kodachrome film when he photographed this portion of the tunnel. Eastman Kodak no longer manufactures Kodachrome and the last roll was developed in January of this year. So Lee took a photo of a place that can no longer be accessed with a film that no longer exists. Truly unique.
To submit, send them high-resolution images of your favorite outdoors photos to Jennifer Buchanan.
Lee’s photo of the original Cascade Tunnel caught my eye for several reasons. First, the color. Kodachrome is a richly color saturated film. It is normally associated with picking up reds and yellows, but in this case it appears to have amplified the green of the outside foliage as the colors entered and bounced around inside the tunnel. A great “other worldly” type feel. The repetition of the tunnel supports also creates a wonderful leading line, as the viewer seems to be drawn farther and farther down the rabbit hole.
There is only one thing I would have liked to see in the photo: a human. Even a figure far off in the distance would have added a little context. However, still a worthy effort.
Great photo Larry!
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