Guest Author: Peter O’Hara - Sony Alpha Universe
Last year, I missed the shot.
We were on Mount Chopicalqui, a 6,354-meter peak in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Near the top, there’s a striking snow cone feature, a perfect sweep of ice that defines the upper mountain. I was exhausted. The altitude was brutal. I didn’t have the energy to dig through my bag, switch lenses, and set up. That moment passed, and I’ve regretted it ever since.
This year, I came back with a different approach and a different camera.
One Camera, One Lens, All the Way Up
For this climb, I brought the Sony A6700, paired with the 18–135mm kit lens. Mountaineering already demands a heavy pack full of safety gear, food, and layers. Adding a full photography kit on top can quickly become unsustainable! The climb starts at midnight and finishes at the summit between 7 and 8 a.m. That’s eight hours of grinding uphill through darkness and cold at altitude Just to get to the summit! You have to travel all the way back to base camp after that. Traveling light is essential.
What made the A6700 setup ideal was its balance between versatility and weight. The camera’s compact size meant I could keep it close at hand on using a pouch strap on the front of my body, and the lens gave me an incredible range wide landscapes to tight action, without needing to swap glass on the side of a mountain.
The Climb Back to Chopicalqui
This year, the conditions looked good but the wind through the night was relentless. Fresh snow had piled up on the route, making each step harder. We were post-holing through deep drifts. I was moving slowly and not feeling great. By the time we approached 6,000 meters, I was fighting off waves of exhaustion and nausea from the altitude. A team behind us turned back. I was ready to do the same if the rest of my team made the call.
But this time, I had the A6700 strapped to my chest. No decisions to make. No need to dig through my pack. It was there, ready to go if the moment came.
Adapting to Unpredictable Conditions
In addition to Chopicalqui, we explored the Huayhuash range and hiked around Alpamayo, often called the most beautiful mountain in the world. These kinds of trips demand flexibility. Weather shifts quickly. Plans fall apart. The terrain can change by the hour.
Having a camera that could adapt with me, without slowing me down, made all the difference. The A6700’s fast autofocus helped me capture quick-moving subjects on exposed ridges and teammates mid-climb.
Takeaways from the Field
This setup proved that with the right tools, you don’t have to choose between going light and going prepared. The A6700 with the 18–135mm lens gave me the freedom to focus on the climb while still being ready when the mountains finally gave me a moment worth capturing.
I’ve always believed that photography in the mountains is about more than just the image. It’s about being there and having the experience. And with the A6700, I didn’t have to choose between being present and being ready.
Back on Chopicalqui at 6,000 meters, we pushed through the final climbing pitch. As we crested the last section, the snow cone ridge came into view more beautiful and dramatic than I remembered. Step by step, we moved up onto the ridge. I pulled out the camera and this time, I got the shots!
We continued on and made the summit! Celebrated with high fives and hugs!
Featured in this blog:
Sony a6700 with 18-135mm Kit
