Remembering the Harsh Winter of 2026
For several weeks in early 2026, Appalachia was beset by what was for us, a significant snow event. The week prior there was much ado about a coming snowstorm, which ultimately became more of an ice storm, much to the disappointment of many snow lovers. It was not surprising when the following week, similar warnings were largely disregarded. However, these did come to pass, and Bristol, along with the high peaks and much of the Tennessee Valley was dumped on for multiple days. This lead to multiple closures and interruptions of daily life, and being such a significant weather event, I naturally took it upon myself to suit up, venture out, and document it.
Beginning my journey on the windswept heights of Maryland Avenue, I departed my well supplied base camp with a great alpine urgency, around 9am. Donning my winter gear and bringing along my fully manual K1000, I loaded Fuji 400 for the dim conditions and its general all-around adaptability to just about any scene. I figured that on a day like this, and having very limited experience shooting in whiteouts, I could benefit from a forgiving and rugged setup.
I struggled for traction on the sidewalks, and oftentimes would walk in the abandoned streets. Meandering downhill to the railroad tracks, I witnessed the few who fought on, their work too essential to enjoy a snow day like myself. Eventually I crossed into Virginia to brave the steep slopes of Solar Hill.
I was curious to see who would be out and about in these conditions, and what hospitality I might find, and I perhaps had too high of hopes, as I was to my knowledge the only one I encountered who was out there by choice. It is important to remember that what is amusing and exciting to us well equipped adventurers, is a great hardship and burden to many others. I was given a lot of time to reflect on that on my journey.
My backyard looking pristine for once.
I have always thought of snow as this purifying element. When it first falls, it gracefully collects in the gullies and on the tree branches, and as it intensifies it begins to hide and conceal the various bumps, rocks, and weeds still persisting. Eventually it consumes the sidewalks and the streets as well, and in the most rare of times, even conceals the curbs. It equalizes, and smooths the land, it hides discoloration, litter, and mud. Everywhere you look, there is uniformity and cleanliness.
As it piles up, it also soaks up the many small noises and echoes of the city. No doubt this is also due to many people staying home and waiting out the storm. When you go outside, as the snow falls and piles everywhere, there is a peaceful quiet that is seldom found anywhere that people live. The snow consumes these little sounds that make up the white noise of the background of our daily lives, and leaves us with near complete silence.
This fragile, sterile, hostile, and peaceful setting is among my favorite to wander in, and I always ensure that I have ample time to enjoy it, for just as it brings cleanliness and silence, it must always end with the scraping of streets, the salty brown slush, and wet mud everywhere. What goes up must come down.