crop circles only different

Crop circle snow art is exceptionally cool

By Ben Silverman

Yahoo! Games Editor – Wed, Feb 22, 2012

(Photo credit: Simon Beck)

Are aliens giving up cornfields for cold, mountain air?

Nope. Turns out these incredibly awesome snow designs are the work of decidedly human artist Simon Beck, who takes the concept of a crop circle to new heights by strapping on a pair snowshoes and getting to work.

"They are made by a kind of reverse orienteering," he explains on his Yahoo! Groups page. "The main lines and points are surveyed using a sighting compass (as used for surveying orienteering maps), with distance either by pace counting or string."
It can take Beck hours of trudging around in the snow to create his masterpieces, which can run the size of a soccer field. Why go to the trouble?

"The main reason for making them was because I can no longer run properly due to problems with my feet, so plodding about on level snow is the least painful way of getting exercise," he says. "Gradually the reason has become photographing them, and I am considering buying a better camera."
You can see more of his work on his Facebook page.

(Photo credit: Simon Beck)
(Photo credit: Simon Beck)
(Photo credit: Simon Beck)
(Photo credit: Simon Beck)
(Photo credit: Simon Beck)
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Even though I hate the snow, this is very wonderful art with a harsh medium.
Stunning to look at, I'd hate to be out there trying to shape all these snow circles.
Enjoy the beauty though!