When It’s Dark Outside

By Mark Wade

The Afternoon Approach

The Afternoon ApproachAs I strode through the forest, the afternoon light from the winter sun, lower in the sky this time of year, cast long shadows behind large ponderosa pines. I followed a well-worn, three-and-a-half mile trail toward a scenic overlook where I stayed until sunset, shooting photographs as the light dissipated. The afterglow of the post sunset environment added to the windless tranquility of the setting. I had not seen any other hikers on my outbound trek, and I was alone on this canyon rim for over an hour. It seemed that even the birds and insects were ready to relax as I could detect no extraneous sounds. The dark of night was fast approaching, and I had to force myself to leave such a splendid scene.

Finding My Way Back

I donned a beanie, gloves, a light jacket, and a headlamp for my trek back to my parked vehicle. For a time, no supplemental light was needed to see the trail ahead, but soon the black pall of this moonless evening engulfed me. The light from my headlamp extended ten feet ahead and to the left and right edges of my pathway. With an hour-long walk ahead of me, I found that my prior thoughts of enjoying this return trek were not as accurate as I had hoped.

It wasn’t long before my mind took me places I didn’t necessarily want to go. I clearly recalled a prior hike in the area where I had come across the footprints of a mountain lion on my outbound trek and then blood and additional prints in the same spot on my return—evidence that the mountain lion had successfully found dinner. Now, I began to worry about becoming an evening meal myself!

As I walked, I recalled a story that had been shared with me of a ranger who had been followed to his vehicle by a mountain lion, only to have the animal jump into the back of his truck just after he had entered and closed the door on his cab. The inference from the story was that the lion could see the ranger through his rear window but didn’t understand the barrier that now separated him from his prey.

My mind was freely leading me down a crazy rabbit hole. So entranced with these thoughts did I become that I began to resort to creating as much noise as possible to discourage any beast that might be following my progress. I dredged from my memories the Maori war chants (hakas) learned during my youth in the country of New Zealand. My body gyrated with primal gestures that synchronized with the chants that rang clearly through the forested plateau upon which I traveled at an ever increasing speed.

Secure

Upon arrival at my vehicle, I found myself scrambling to get inside, and only then did I begin to surmise that I was safe enough to stop my chanting and breathe normally.

Requisite

Perhaps this story presents just one of the challenges of obtaining photography in the right light settings. Early mornings and late evenings are just part of the obligatory effort of a photographer. Headlamps are not optional, and it helps to know a war chant.

For destination ideas, visit .. www.RoadTrippinWithBobAndMark.com Also on Facebook and Instagram

About the Author

Mark Wade

Mark Wade is active in hiking, writing, photography, and videography. He works as a tourism marketing consultant, for which he has won numerous awards. He is a weekly guest on the KSL Outdoors radio show. Mark is the former Director of Tourism for southwestern Utah and has served on the board of directors for various tourism associations.