On Impactful Moments
Field Notes III.XXV: A powerful experience of sunset in the wild and the photos that capture the memory
Welcome to Field Notes!
I’d like to tell you that every moment is precious. I want to say that each breath we take is a gift, just as valuable as every other second of our lives. I believe that and don’t think it is a misguided illusion.
Yet, somehow, perhaps the opposite perspective can also be true. Each of us has experienced special moments in time that impact us much more than all of the rest. That elated moment of longshot victory, the goosebumps at realizing you just attained that dream goal, the trembling knees as she walks down the aisle dressed in white, the death of a loved one, the birth of a child. These are times of magnitude and we carry the memories for our lifetimes.
I’ve written about this before, so I’ll skip the adventure story. Right now I just want to share with you one of these impactful times- a sunset in the wilderness that left a forever imprint in my being.
It’s late October of 2023, but temperatures have been mild. I’m on the second day of a three day backpacking trip to the Shining Rock Wilderness. This area is in the heart of some of the highest peaks of the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina.
My trip was planned, but just before leaving I learned some devastating news about my mother’s health. Nothing could be done at the moment, so the trip wasn’t cancelled. But now with every step I grapple with raw, exposed emotion.
The day’s hiking hadn’t been terribly far, but included a lot of elevation loss and then gain. It’s late in the day when I reach the summit of the 6000’ Sam Knob. I set up camp and absorb the splendor of autumnal foliage splayed across the mountains receding in all directions.
Another backpacker arrives with the onset of evening. By his gear he appears to be experienced and on a much longer trek than I. Still, he is shocked to hear how often I try to go on my much shorter adventures.
We don’t talk long. I continue taking photos as he sets up his tent nearby. It is an ultralight dyneema trekking pole tent. Its crinkly fabric rustles in the gently building gusts of wind.
Clouds build and advance as the sun sinks to the west. They approach rapidly as the wind picks up. I worry that the skies will become overcast before the sun sets.
These clouds remain broken, though. Through the gaps they allow variable shafts of light to filter through to the land below. Still, the clouds grow.
For a moment the skies seem covered, but there is a break. With solid darkness overhead, a gap forms at the horizon to the west. Through this sliver stretches ridge upon ridge of mountains bathed in bronze and gold. It is a butterscotch sunset like I have never seen before!
I use my telephoto lens to look into the distance at this gap. That lens helps compress the distances, allowing the mountains to appear as large as they loom in my memory of them.
I make the photo below. It is one you may be familiar with, as I use it now in mundane places such as my website and email headers. I’ve also printed and framed it at 12” x 24” and this print currently resides on my mantle.
Ah, but seeing that image! It is the re-creation of an experience. The chill of the wind and softly flapping tent nearby, the scent of pine and approaching moisture in the air, the feeling of smallness in an unfathomably mysterious world. For me at least, it comes flooding back every time.
Only a few moments pass before the clouds drop lower, the mist rolls in, and all is obscured. In darkness I retreat to my own tent, exhausted yet electrified by the experience.
Ok, so I grant that you don’t have the benefit of the memory to amplify the experience of that image. I still think it’s a very cool and dramatic photo! So, I turned it into a bookmark!
I believe many of us still prefer to read physical books when possible. In that case, a bookmark seems like a practical and fun way to share some of my photography.
I made a limited inventory of these to test the concept. If I run out I can easily make more, it might just take a few days longer to get it to you. I’m new to this and fulfilling the orders myself, so bear with me. If this is something ya’ll like, I will gladly make different ones in the future.
The bookmarks are $5 and if you’re interested, you can purchase one here-
Alright, if you are curious to read the Adventure Story of this trip back in 2023, you can find it here-
What’s up next? I’m glad you asked! I just got back from an incredible overnight trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. And, I have a quick turnaround before I’m headed right back for another overnight in a different part of the Smokies. It’s all about the timing of the seasons. I plan to publish the stories of these trips as a 3 or 4 part series, so stay tuned!
Do you like the idea of these bookmarks? Let me know if there’s a particular photo of mine you’d like to see on the next one!
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Stunning.
Those are STUNNING photos. Which I think I say every time, but still.
It was also really cool how you shared some of the background behind the trip..how you almost didnt go because of your mom....etc...but then you ended up capturing those pictures anyway. Makes it seem extra sweet.