Story Behind the Photo: In the Clouds
Every year, WTA invites photographers to share their favorite photos for our annual contest. Photographer and avid hiker Sherri Nordin shared this shot at Mount St. Helens during last year's contest.
A simple iPhone photo perfectly captured this quiet moment as Jared Nordin paused on a trip to Mount St. Helens. Sherri Nordin took the photo of her husband on a hike in late September.
Sherri has loved the outdoors for as long as she can remember. As a child, she spent hours exploring the nearby woods and traipsing around the trails that wove through her family’s farm.
Jared Nordin watches a storm roll in during a late-season summit attempt of Mount St. Helens. Photo by Sherri Nordin.
As an adult, not much has changed—Sherri still has a love affair with the forest. And even though her adventures have led her across states and countries, Washington still holds a special place in her heart.
“Washington offers so many hiking options, our bucket list is never short of opportunities for adventure. … Home is where the trees grow tall and the waters run deep, where there are endless trails leading to endless possibilities lending themselves to endless stories,” she said.
Sherri found an adventure partner in her husband, Jared. The pair headed up Mount St. Helens with their daughter and her boyfriend. Taking advantage of a break in the clouds, they made it to Kiwi Camp and settled in for the night. In the morning, a bout of altitude sickness forced Sherri’s daughter and partner to turn back, but Sherri and Jared marched onward.
As they continued up the mountain, the weather took a turn for the worse. Thick clouds and rain caught up with them, eventually causing the duo to turn back. Before their descent, Sherri snapped this shot. The clouds rolling across the landscape made for a breathtaking view.
Even though they didn’t reach the summit, Sherri considers the trip a success. They learned about the terrain, learned a bit about themselves and feel prepared to try again.
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