Volcanic Legacy

The US government just recently released an update to the most threatening volcanoes in the US. Mt. Shasta happens to be #5 on the list.
It's been years but I've known I wanted to get this image from this location under some decent conditions, and the motivation really set in after Shasta being brought up in national news. Not only do I love this mountain, I was literally born at the base of it. In fact you can even see the exact location I was born in this image. What a trip.

All of this led up to two days ago when around 2pm I took note of the potential in the sky and my availability (thanks Andrea Marie Smith) to perhaps drive down to California for a quick drive and hike. So I went for it - finally.

A giddy hour and a half later I arrive at Castle Lake's parking lot and I'm not the only one. There are perhaps 10 cars there enjoying the fantastic fall evening around the lake. I quickly gather my gear and tripod and begin quickly ascending the 700ft ascent before any spectacular light disappears on me. It's always a race with time and light...

After quite a few stops (recall my last adventure), I make it to my destination sitting hundreds of feet above the incredibly unique Castle Lake, staring at my birthplace and the majestic Mount Shasta.
I was enjoying myself until a small little thing popped into my head - I was fairly certain I forgot to lock my car. And my $1k drone was sitting in the trunk and pretty much everyone saw me pull camera gear out the back... Shit.

About 700 feet above and a mile away from my potential loss I carried on only to be gifted an unimaginably red Mt. Shasta. It was worth it regardless of what happened.
I find my way back down the steep terrain, headlamp shining at my feet. I walk up to the car and click the trunk button and sure enough I left it unlocked, for 2 seconds my heart was POUNDING.

Luckily it quickly subsided as I see my drone case sitting comfortably in the trunk. Thank you honest citizens!!
Prints available on my website.
Read less