“Resurrection”

Location: Mt. St. Helens, Washington (2021)

Viewed from halfway up the south slope of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Washington’s second largest mountain, is backlight in the glow of dawn.

Both Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams are stratovolcanoes that dwarf their surrounding areas with their mass and prominence, like earthly giants among mortals.

Climbing a mountain always feels like a spiritual rebirthing: a resurrection from the former self as sweat collects between the straps of the backpack and drips from the edge of my brow.

Each drop, breath, and step bring me closer to Heaven.