In this episode of F-Stopping by the Woods, wildlife photographer Sumeet Gayathri Moghe and I discuss our upcoming Spiti winter wildlife expedition. This was recorded before our expedition and has footage from the trip. This conversation offers a candid look at the meticulous planning, gear dilemmas, and the raw anticipation behind photographing one of the Himalayas’ most elusive creatures: the snow leopard. Episode Overview

• Logistics & Challenges: Navigating -20°C temperatures, high-altitude acclimatization (4,000+ meters), and the role of local spotters in tracking snow leopards.

• Gear Deep Dive: From Canon R5 Mark II cameras and 200–800mm lenses to frostproof gloves and thermal layers, we speak about how we optimized equipment and accessories for extremely cold weathers and long subject distances

• Wildlife Goals: Beyond snow leopards, our hopes of red foxes, golden eagles, and the rare bearded vulture.

• Local economy and Conservation: The balance between ecotourism, local livelihoods, and minimizing human impact in fragile ecosystems.