Photographer Scott Rinckenberger will open Spire, Snow + Sky: Alpine Landscapes of Washington Pass, a new exhibition at the Scott Rinckenberger Gallery in North Bend, on September 18. The exhibition focuses on a landscape that Rinckenberger has repeatedly returned to through climbing, skiing, cycling and mountaineering.
Highway 20 through Washington Pass passes some of the North Cascades’ best-known alpine terrain, including Liberty Bell, the Early Winter Spires, Kangaroo Ridge, the Wine Spires, Silver Star and the larch-filled areas around Blue Lake and Cutthroat Pass. The area lies near the transition between western Washington’s wetter maritime climate and the drier continental climate of the Columbia Basin, creating varied weather and scenery across the seasons.
“These mountains have become one of the places I return to most often, and I don’t think I’ve ever gone there without a camera. Whether I’m climbing granite at sunrise, skiing through fresh powder, or descending a summit at the end of a long day, I’ve always been grateful to have a way to remember and share those fleeting moments,” Rinckenberger said.
The exhibition also focuses on protections for the landscapes surrounding Washington Pass. Many of the surrounding mountains fall outside designated wilderness areas and national park boundaries. The 2001 Roadless Rule limits new road construction and resource development on certain federal lands, and a public comment period on proposed changes to the rule is scheduled to close September 21, 2026.
Spire Snow + Sky pairs Rinckenberger’s photographs with information about the Roadless Rule and the current public comment period, connecting the landscapes featured in the show with the debate over their future protection.
The opening party will be held Friday, September 18, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the gallery. Guests can view the full exhibition, meet Rinckenberger and learn more about the Roadless Rule and how to submit a public comment before the September 21 deadline.
Rinckenberger’s photography has been featured in international exhibitions and collaborations with outdoor brands including Patagonia, REI and Outdoor Research. He also participates in 1% for the Planet.
To learn more about the new show, read Scott’s artist statement.
