The Field Report: Documenting a hike led by David Huff and the Carolina Mountain Club

The Field Report is a detailed account of our outdoor excursions that breaks down our nature and landscape photography, along with our experiences on the trail, with a full photo gallery.

---

Hump Mountain via Overmountain Victory Trail and Appalachian Trail

The Arrival

I was set to spend the day hiking with my friend, David Huff, as he led a group of hikers through a forest on the Appalachian Trail and out into the sprawling mountains of Little Hump Mountain and Hump Mountain on behalf of the Carolina Mountain Club. I arrived early, my alarm lifting me from the comfort of sleep at 4 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. arrival time on the trail—well before anyone else had considered setting foot on the frigid, frozen trail. I made my way out into the unknown, having never hiked this trail before, wanting to explore with the hopes of capturing an image during golden hour. The weather reports consistently listed the day as overcast during the week leading up to my adventure, which I do not mind, but for the sake of sunrise photography, I had hopes that the early bird would, in fact, be rewarded with a worm.

While the morning clouds did not part and make way for a jaw-dropping spectacle, I am still happy with the photo I was able to produce. Just over a mile into my search for a scene, I spilled out onto a clearing that overlooked the neighboring mountains of the Appalachian Trail. With flat, uninteresting light filtering through the milky blanket of overcast clouds, it was the perfect setting to create a black-and-white image.

Lonely in the Wind

Camera: Panasonic G9

Lens: Olympus M 12-40mm F2.8

Settings: Auto white balance, ISO 640, 12mm, f11 at 1/200s

Color Profile: Camera L Monochrome D, grain +2, contrast +2, saturation 0, sharpness -2

---

And Now the Fun Begins

After capturing a photo I was happy with, I made my way back to the parking lot in order to meet David and the group at their scheduled 9 o'clock arrival time. On cue, cars motored through the dusty gravel road and into their spaces, one by one. A group of eleven of us, and one friendly, but elderly Pit Bull-Blue Heeler mix, made our introductions, and then we began our ascent to Hump Mountain.

During my earlier trek, I was given a small glimpse of the conditions and the elevation gain we would face. Our start was easy enough, as we climbed a well-maintained gravel forest road that brought us to the particular trailhead we would use to begin our journey. We meandered a short way on the Overmountain Victory Trail before reaching Yellow Mountain Gap and connecting to the Appalachian Trail.

We continued on the AT through a winter-stripped forest, sporadic piles of snow that survived the sun packed hard under our feet. Soon, the barren, twisted branches that canopied overhead gave way to a narrow trail on the grassy, windswept mountains of the AT. And what footing was made steady by the still frozen ground of the forest quickly turned into a slippery, muddy mess on our approach to Little Hump. For the rest of our hike, it would feel like one step forward, two steps back.

Images from the first couple of miles of our day. Click to expand and view full-screen

Four miles into my personal hike for the day, two miles for everyone else,we reached Little Hump, and I was already starting to feel the fatigue. Maybe it was the early start to the day, or the weight of my camera bag pressing against my back like an oppressive burden, but no matter the cause, the idea of rest felt like a dream inching toward my grasp. Settling on a rock formation, we traded intel about our favorite trail snacks and drank water as though we'd never see any again before I took a group photo.

Group photo at Little Hump. Click to expand and view full-screen

After a brief intermission, we continued our journey, climbing ever so higher into the expansive mountain range. The day was beautiful, the sky a soft pastel blue, but at this point, the trail was thick with mud. Each step sank into the earth, slipping with every stride. It felt as though the trail was a bored child finding entertainment in a repetitive action that would eventually cause your mental and emotional demise.

Every step had the drama of a Broadway production, and I was in the part of the play where the audience is unsure whether the hero will fall. My hips ached. My ankles were sore. My thigh began to throb and cramp. Was I doomed? Would this mountain see me to the doorstep of my collapse?

Alas, my ruination was not meant to be, and I persevered through strained, gritted teeth. If sheer determination willed me to the top of Hump Mountain, the splendor and the picturesque nature of the sprawling winter vista made it all worth it and washed away any reservations and pain that had overcome me prior. I was in my element, and there were others to share in it.

The Vast Endless

Camera: Panasonic G9

Lens: Olympus M 12-40mm F2.8

Settings: Custom white balance, ISO 800, 14mm, f9 at 1/320s

Color Profile: Camera Cinelike D, contrast +2, saturation 2, sharpness -2

Our Descent

After a well-deserved, prolonged rest, and some Lindt Chocolate that David handed out—a Carolina Mountain Club tradition on group hikes—we made our way down the long, winding trail. 6.5 miles down, and another 4.5 to go. On one hand, it seemed easier. No continuous uphill battle to make one feel as though their very soul was being extracted through their legs. On the other hand, what we were left with was a downhill trudge through thick, well-worn, slippery mud I was certain I'd drown in.

The thing about practicing nature and landscape photography is that it's not only difficult from an artistic skill-development standpoint, but also physically and mentally difficult. It makes demands upon you that your mind and body must be equally strong enough to endure. The sleep-deprived early mornings. Bearing the elements, whether it be standing knee-deep in rushing creeks, cold rain, or the wind whipping in below-zero temperatures. The repetitious impact on your joints, the burning muscles, and the extra weight of your camera bag on your back. It's cumulative.

Landscape and nature photography is also one of the most rewarding practices and journeys I've endeavored upon in my life. It's given me some of the most valuable lessons I've learned in my life. Through my photographic journey, I've come to understand what true patience means. I've learned that losses are not failures unless you fully submit to the defeat. I've pushed my body and mind to do things I had never given thought to before picking up a camera. I've met wonderful people who have become friends throughout my journey—people like those who joined the group hike on this day, and friends like David Huff. And I've been witness to some of the most sunning and awe-inspiring scenes I can imagine.

To continue with unwavering dedication for a prize that isn't guaranteed requires a love that's unconditional. And 11 miles later, as we reached the parking lot, delirious and soaked with sweat, I remembered that nothing worth doing comes easy, but if you persevere, you will be repaid your sweat's weight in gold.

Images from the last leg of the hike. Click to expand and view full-screen

---

Photography Gear Used on This Hike

Camera: Panasonic G9

Lenses: Panasonic 25mm f1.7 lens, Olympus M 12-40mm F2.8, Olympus M 40-150mm f2.8

Tiffen Digital HT Circular Polarizer Filter

SmallRig L-Bracket

F-stop Lotus 32L Backpack

Manfrotto Globetrotter Tripod

Carolina Mountain Club is the oldest and largest hiking and trail maintenance organization in the Southeastern United States. Please visit them at CarolinaMountainClub.org and follow on social media @CarolinaMountainClub.