Part of the Far West 2024 feature.

A few days before I departed, I purchased a used FUJIFILM X-T10 camera to try to learn some photography basics and document the trip. The slower pace this afforded as I occasionally stopped to compose a scene was worth it alone.

Here are a few of my favourite photos from my three-week motorcycle adventure through the American west.

British Columbia

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/100
F Number	5.6
ISO	800
Focal Length	34.0 mm
GPS Position	49.330840 N, 123.044260 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	17 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Washington

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back dual wide camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Exposure Time	1/1321
F Number	1.8
ISO	80
Focal Length	6.9 mm
GPS Position	48.221200 N, 122.688111 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	5.4 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	4032x3024
File Size	9.9 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/2000
F Number	3.5
ISO	800
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	48.166660 N, 123.703430 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4768x3178
File Size	16 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/4000
F Number	3.8
ISO	800
Focal Length	20.1 mm
GPS Position	48.166660 N, 123.703430 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4788x3192
File Size	12 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/1900
F Number	3.5
ISO	400
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	48.166660 N, 123.703430 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	13 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back dual wide camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Exposure Time	1/100
F Number	1.8
ISO	125
Focal Length	6.9 mm
GPS Position	48.166542 N, 123.703850 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	15.7 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	3593x2694
File Size	6.8 MB
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Oregon

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Exposure Time	1/5263
F Number	1.8
ISO	80
Focal Length	6.9 mm
GPS Position	44.137314 N, 124.128258 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	49.2 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	4032x3024
File Size	9.8 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

California

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/640
F Number	5.6
ISO	200
Focal Length	50.0 mm
GPS Position	40.290384 N, 124.355493 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	14 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/4000
F Number	5.6
ISO	800
Focal Length	26.9 mm
GPS Position	40.290384 N, 124.355493 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	15 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/60
F Number	20.0
ISO	200
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	40.290384 N, 124.355493 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	13 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/75
F Number	20.0
ISO	400
Focal Length	41.8 mm
GPS Position	40.290384 N, 124.355493 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	14 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 9mm f/2.8
Exposure Time	1/815
F Number	2.8
ISO	32
Focal Length	9.0 mm
GPS Position	40.290389 N, 124.355506 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	8.3 m Below Sea Level
Image Size	4032x3024
File Size	11 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Exposure Time	1/450
F Number	1.8
ISO	80
Focal Length	6.9 mm
GPS Position	40.291050 N, 124.356531 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	3.1 m Below Sea Level
Image Size	8064x6048
File Size	31 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/1100
F Number	3.5
ISO	200
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	37.828846 N, 122.485929 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	9.7 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/4000
F Number	6.4
ISO	800
Focal Length	41.8 mm
GPS Position	37.183721 N, 122.384005 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	15 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/180
F Number	5.6
ISO	400
Focal Length	50.0 mm
GPS Position	35.139228 N, 120.643266 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4828x3216
File Size	11 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/2200
F Number	4.2
ISO	200
Focal Length	23.2 mm
GPS Position	33.810600 N, 116.640097 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4603x3069
File Size	13 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/300
F Number	6.4
ISO	400
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	33.810600 N, 116.640097 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	19 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 2.22mm f/2.2
Exposure Time	1/818
F Number	2.2
ISO	40
Focal Length	2.2 mm
GPS Position	33.761692 N, 116.551217 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	270.5 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	4032x3024
File Size	16 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 2.22mm f/2.2
Exposure Time	1/396
F Number	2.2
ISO	40
Focal Length	2.2 mm
GPS Position	33.761742 N, 116.551278 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	274.6 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	4032x3024
File Size	16 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Exposure Time	1/7937
F Number	1.8
ISO	100
Focal Length	6.9 mm
GPS Position	33.762906 N, 116.554397 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	303 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	8064x6048
File Size	55 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/400
F Number	13.0
ISO	200
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	34.047365 N, 115.223077 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	13 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Exposure Time	1/11628
F Number	1.8
ISO	100
Focal Length	6.9 mm
GPS Position	34.083897 N, 114.850647 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	279.1 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	8064x6048
File Size	45 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Arizona

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/2500
F Number	3.5
ISO	400
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	36.065832 N, 112.117234 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4842x3228
File Size	13 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/80
F Number	18.0
ISO	200
Focal Length	50.0 mm
GPS Position	36.065832 N, 112.117234 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	15 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/60
F Number	16.0
ISO	640
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	36.065832 N, 112.117234 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	15 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/1900
F Number	4.7
ISO	200
Focal Length	31.0 mm
GPS Position	36.707640 N, 110.250785 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	0 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	4810x3206
File Size	11 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Colorado

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/420
F Number	6.4
ISO	400
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	37.533489 N, 107.777522 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	18 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/1250
F Number	5.6
ISO	400
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	39.595413 N, 108.811276 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	14 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/2200
F Number	5.6
ISO	400
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	39.595413 N, 108.811276 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	14 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Utah

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/220
F Number	13.0
ISO	200
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	40.966451 N, 109.467022 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	16 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Idaho

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/160
F Number	20.0
ISO	400
Focal Length	22.2 mm
GPS Position	44.680603 N, 113.357277 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4868x3244
File Size	12 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	FUJIFILM
Camera Model Name	X-T10
Lens Model	XC16-50mmF3.5-5.6 OIS II
Exposure Time	1/2000
F Number	5.6
ISO	1250
Focal Length	16.0 mm
GPS Position	45.405074 N, 113.994626 W ⤴︎
Image Size	4896x3264
File Size	18 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Make	Apple
Camera Model Name	iPhone 14 Pro
Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
Exposure Time	1/1433
F Number	1.8
ISO	80
Focal Length	6.9 mm
GPS Position	45.405297 N, 113.993819 W ⤴︎
GPS Altitude	1100.2 m Above Sea Level
Image Size	4006x3004
File Size	12 MB
View full resolution ⤴︎

Part of the Far West 2024 series.

The objective today is to cut as much useless cruft from the packing list as possible. I need to outfit myself to ride through very hot temperatures in Southern California and Arizona, and very cold temperatures in Wyoming and Montana. It’s only May and even in the more temperate Pacific Northwest, overnight temperatures dip quite low. I also have a few days scheduled with friends in Palm Springs, so I’ll need enough kit to look presentable in regular society (to the extent that that’s possible for me).

I need some basic tools to fix a puncture or adjust the suspension. This is America, so a CAA/AMA membership should negate the need for spare parts, but I would want to bring spare shift/clutch/brake levers, oil filters and other model-specific items if venturing further.

Let’s break it down by bag. I have five pieces of soft luggage that strap to the bike and provide about 84 litres of capacity in total. I can also strap bulkier items like my tent on top of the luggage.

Kriega OS-12 x 2 saddlebags

These are positioned lower and more central on the bike, so I’ll put the heaviest and least fragile items in here like tools and camping hardwear. These bags are also easier to access without unstrapping anything, so I put a few quick-access things here as well, just minding that if I hit the dirt, anything breakable in the side luggage will get a little smashy. Likewise, it’s not a good place for a first aid kit assuming if I fall and hurt myself, whatever is in the side luggage will be underneath a 450 lb. motorcycle and difficult to access.

Right-hand bag

• Primus burner
• Fuel canister
• Stainless pot/plate set
• Small skillet
• Ceramic mug
• Collapsible pour-over coffee filter
• Salt, pepper, olive oil, ground coffee
• Fork, spoon, pocket knife
• Tongs (you laugh, but you’ve never known the pain of dropping a nice cut of steak in a fire pit)
• Camp soap and scrubber
• Small garbage bag
• Roll of toilet paper
• Shower flip-flops
• Tent footprint/light tarp
• Kindle

Left-hand bag

• Basic tool roll
• Multi allen key tool (Ducati likes allen keys)
• Stop & Go T-Handle Tubeless tire repair kit
• Stop & Go mini air compressor
• Tire pressure gauge with deflator button
• Chain lube (every thousand kilometres gotta keep that thing saucy)
• Gorilla tape
• Multi-tool pocket knife
• Headlamp
• Flashlight
• Rope
• 6 ft. webbing strap/tie-down
• Giant Loop Armadillo spare fuel bag, 2 gallon (Lucia has a small tank, especially for an 803 cc twin)
• Ducati user manual
• Summer riding gloves
• Toque
• Cap

Kriega US-30

Large tail bag. I’ll put my clothing in here as well as my laptop, and I’ll try to avoid heavy items to keep the weight centered over the footpegs as much as possible.

• Jeans
• Shorts
• Buttoned shirt
• Lightweight hoodie
• T-shirts x 4
• Thermal base layer, top and bottom
• Socks and underwear x 5
• Swim trunks
• Quick-drying travel towel
• Laptop and peripherals

Kriega US-20

Medium-sized tank bag. I’ll put soft camping items and miscellaneous bulky items in here. More weight over the tank helps keeps the bike stable under load.

• Medical kit
• Lightweight down sleeping bag
• Inflatable sleeping mat
• Inflatable pillow
• Down quilt (for such a range in temperatures, it’s easier and more versatile to do a light sleeping bag and layer on a quilt when needed)
• Arc’Teryx low-top hiking boots/shoes
• iPad

Honestly, shoes are the toughest thing to reason about. They are both bulky and heavy, and for three weeks of varied activity, including dinners and nights out, I would love to bring a pair of sneakers that I can dress up more. I just don’t have the space, but I recognize I may need to keep an eye out for a pair of shoes along the way that collapse to a small size but can look sharp in a pinch.

Kriega US-10

Small tail bag that can attach to the larger ones. The US-30 in this case. I leave some room in this one for groceries.

• Water bottle
• Light toiletry bag
• Patagonia Nano-Puff jacket

Attached items

Strapped directly to the tail using Rok Straps over the US-30 are the tent, hatchet, and light folding chair. Opulent, I know.

I am going to bring my Hippo Hands hand guards on this trip given the likelihood of rain and certainty of cool temperatures in the mountains. They’ll be awkward in the hotter climates, but they’re too large to pack away so I think it’s easiest to just fix them on at the outset and leave ’em.

I’ll keep my FUJIFILM X-T10 camera over my shoulder generally, and a GoPro Hero 11 mounted on a rigid mount above the wind screen facing forward. I also have a Hero 7 on a flexible clamp mount I can use for B-roll. Rounding it out on the handlebars is a Garmin Zumo XT Navigator that frankly deserves an entire blog post of its own to unravel the dark wisdom of the Garmin software engineer.

Guanajuato is my favourite city in Mexico. The centro historico is built into a valley, and many of the roads are tunneled through the mountains that surround it. The city itself has been built and rebuilt upon its former self, with a subterranean level comprised of the haciendas that once lined the Guanajatu River.

Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
ISO	80
Exposure Time	1/121
Image Size	4032x3024
GPS Position	21.018317 N, 101.253494 W
GPS Altitude	2058.7 m Above Sea Level
GPS Img Direction	159.2975464
Create Date	2023:01:03 18:22:08
View full resolution ⤴︎

My first thought when I got here was, why? Why tunnel through three kilometers of mountain to build a town here ? The answer is silver. The area around Guanajuato accounted for more than two-thirds of the world’s silver production leading into the 19th century. The primary mine—La Valenciana—is still operational.

Guanajuato was also the site of the first battle of the Mexican War of Independence. You can still see the bullet holes in the Alhóndiga de Granaditas (grain exchange building next to the central mercado).

Guanajuato is about 4 to 5 hours by bus from Mexico City and well worth the trip. It’s also a very reasonable day trip (and beautiful drive) from San Miguele de Allende.

Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
ISO	80
Exposure Time	1/7576
Image Size	4032x3024
GPS Position	21.016833 N, 101.254242 W
GPS Altitude	2024 m Above Sea Level
GPS Img Direction	116.5262318
Create Date	2023:01:03 12:41:27
View full resolution ⤴︎

Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
ISO	80
Exposure Time	1/1779
Image Size	4032x3024
GPS Position	21.019817 N, 101.250581 W
GPS Altitude	2076.3 m Above Sea Level
GPS Img Direction	260.5706482
Create Date	2023:01:03 18:07:53
View full resolution ⤴︎

Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
ISO	80
Exposure Time	1/1241
Image Size	4032x3024
GPS Position	21.014539 N, 101.254303 W
GPS Altitude	2085.6 m Above Sea Level
GPS Img Direction	40.99349974
Create Date	2023:01:04 17:57:19
View full resolution ⤴︎

Lens Model	iPhone 14 Pro back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78
ISO	80
Exposure Time	1/604
Image Size	4032x3024
GPS Position	21.016881 N, 101.256767 W
GPS Altitude	2014.6 m Above Sea Level
GPS Img Direction	104.9418297
Create Date	2023:01:05 11:05:21
View full resolution ⤴︎

Note: I’ve edited this post. It was first posted on January 4, 2023 with only the leading image. When I first posted the picture, it was in the early days of ChatGPT and I was of course excited to try to generate some text with it. I did so with a short description of Guanajuato City as a caption, and with the benefit of hindsight I’m no longer comfortable polluting the internet with content I didn’t write myself. All of the photos beyond the first were published on March 23, 2024 and the text is my own.