A return to Max Patch Bald

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography

I spent some time recently looking through ‘old’ photos I had taken and upon reviewing I paused at the one above.  What makes it special to me?  Let me tell you.

On April 25, 2019, my buddy Mark and I headed to North Carolina for a road trip.  I had been to North Carolina before a few times, but this location was one I had never seen and I had never been solely for hiking and photography.

Let me get the technical out of the way, and then I will explain why this capture means so much to me.

Fujifilm X100F

F/5.6

ISO 640

1/80 of a second

23mm

Location: Max Patch Bald, NC

Our goal was to drive to the trailhead of Max Patch Bald and hike a scant distance and catch the sunrise.  The long and windy road known as highway 1182 or Max Patch Road crisscrossed between Tennessee and North Carolina along a 40-minute trip up this road.  As Mark drove and I sat anxiously in the passenger’s seat, I could only see the Jeep’s headlights illuminated what.  The dense forest on both sides of the road blocked out all light.

Eventually we made it to the parking lot, and the rain fell.  Our 4:30am wake-up call was not looking so wise at this moment, but we headed out in the drizzle and this is where I first encountered the Appalachian Trail.  We hiked more and eventually reached the summit of Max Patch Bald.  It was obvious there would be no visible sunrise, but the clouds only added to the mood of the morning.  A cool breeze, light rain, and beautiful storm clouds surrounded my 360 degree view.  Once I caught my breath, I shot the two occupied tents you see above.

The grey, blue and pinks of the sky, the muted green grass and the beige and blue tent were the perfect pieces for a shot.  I took it.   The mystery of the occupants (no I didn’t go talk to them), the fading mountains in the background and the feeling of insignificance I felt standing on this mountain all added to the aura of the moment.  I wondered were these people together.  Were they AT hikers or just up there for the night?  What was their story, and why did the universe click in place to allow me to be there in that moment?  I will never know, but like most pictures, I make up stories in my mind.  I have my own for these people, with no plans to share.

I am glad I got to go there.  I am glad it was with Mark.  The morning was not filled with the promising sunrise, but honestly, my first time there I could have not asked for better weather.  A quick snap, but a lifelong memory with my excellent friend.

I will leave you with a quote from Kilroy J. Oldster “Life’s most precious moments are not all loud or uproarious. Silence and stillness have its own virtues.”  That so much sums up that moment and trip for me.  A piece of my heart is now in those mountains and forever will be.

Until next time,

Tim