This anti-solar atmospheric phenomenon is called a "brockenbow" colloquially and "the optical glory" scientifically.

The shadow is called the "brockenspecter".

Anti-solar refers to the fact that the phenomenon is centered at the point opposite the sun. Anti-solar phenomena include brockenbow, fogbow, primary and secondary rainbows, all refractive, and anti-crepuscular rays (rays of the sun coming together) and anti-crepuscular shadows, which are non-refractive. Each of these also has an anti-lunar equivalent.

Theoretically it is possible to see all four refractive "bows" together, but if that happens, I suggest you get on your knees and recite Hebrew. I have photographed brockenbows many times in the Drakensberg, and once a fogbow with a brockenbow, above (false I think now) Lynx cave, in itself a once in a lifetime event. javascript:joom_smilie(':smilewinkg- rin:')

Give me time (say 6 months), I will publish.

Keep in mind that the hiker also was seeing a brockenbow around HIS shadow, and could not see the one the photographer saw. In other words, each person insists he has been glorified, while the others were not! Makes a good excuse for war, or doing physics!

Amazing shot. You don't often see this effect. Right time right place.

Karl