My name is Steve Collins and I was raised in the town of Oreland, Pennsylvania. My first love of nature began as a Boy Scout. It further evolved on my first real summit attempt to the top of Mt. Marcy in New York State. It was a gorgeous August day. I watched the cumulus clouds drift by with the cloud shadows gracefully rolling across the lower hills. I knew then that many more mountain summits would be in my future.
I started to go to the Springfield Township library to look up anything to do with mountains. I remember looking at some beautiful books with gorgeous black and white images of incredible western mountains as well as other photography books of nature.
Eventually, I went off to college. The Pennsylvania State University campus I chose, was in the town of Mont Alto, right at the base of the Appalachian Mountains. It was heaven - a great place to explore the natural scenes I loved so much. And in all seasons, too!
Again, I immersed myself in the campus library and found many more books on mountains. After much study, I decided that after graduation, I would move to the Seattle area. Seattle has many mountains surrounding the city - the Olympics and the Cascades. And there are many more all within a days drive. Mountains in Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia. And the Cascades had an added bonus - volcanos! There are five within the State of Washington, most above 10,000 feet. Mt. Rainier, the tallest, is 14,410 feet tall and a formidable challenge.
In August, 1976, I packed my car and drove west to Seattle, Washington. Within a few months, I bought my first 35mm camera and the rest is history! While this site explores the note cards I make, more can found about my mountain climbing adventures on my Summit Path site.
I was 21 years old when I first moved to Seattle. But as time has gone by, my climbing adventures have slowed. The wear and tear on my body, as well as other health issues have slowed me down! But the desire and dreams are still there. My love of photography has flourished, however, and there is a never ending world to photograph. This Website really speaks to that desire.
