Rebuilding the Appalachian Trail After Hurricane Helene

I had the opportunity to document important recovery work with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) near Cherry Gap just outside of Erwin, Tennessee. The assignment brought me into the heart of the Appalachian Trail’s recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Helene.

I met up with ATC’s Joke Stowe at the trailhead on Unaka Mountain Road around 9 a.m. From there, we made the mile-and-a-half uphill hike to reach the crews already working. The damage was immediately clear. Massive root holes, some the size of minivans, blocked sections of the trail, and fallen trees covered the landscape.

The focus of the day was on three individuals from Japan’s long trails who had traveled here to volunteer with the ATC’s flagship Konnarock Trail Crew. They came to support recovery from Helene and to learn trail maintenance skills that they could share with trail maintainers in their home country.

As I photographed, I saw local volunteers, ATC staff, and the visiting crew from Japan working with determination to restore access to one of the most iconic trails in the world. I spent the next few hours documenting the energy, teamwork, and dedication it takes to rebuild a trail. Along the way, I captured portraits of the Japanese volunteers, using off-camera flash to balance the forest light and highlight the people behind the work.

The main takeaway from this assignment is that the Appalachian Trail depends on volunteers. Their hard work ensures that millions of hikers each year can continue to enjoy the trail in safety.

As a resident of Damascus, Virginia, where the Trail runs directly through town and plays a major role in our economy, culture, and events like Trail Days, I am grateful to have been part of telling this story. Thank you to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for hiring me to document this important work.

A Friday Morning with Muralist Heidi Nisbett in Damascus

A Friday Morning with Muralist Heidi Nisbett in Damascus, Virginia

This past Friday morning, I spent time in the heart of Damascus, Virginia, photographing local muralist Heidi Nisbett as she painted a new mural in the town park. This vibrant work of art is her fifth mural in Damascus, adding even more beauty to the community and expanding the growing collection of public art in Damascus, VA.

Visitors and locals alike may already be familiar with Heidi’s work. Her colorful, nature-inspired murals brighten walls across town and have become part of Damascus’s visual identity. Each piece reflects her love for the outdoors, often featuring landscapes, native plants, and winding trails that reflect the area’s strong ties to the Appalachian Trail.

Heidi’s journey as an artist is rooted in both skill and adventure. She grew up in South Carolina and earned her BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Winthrop University in 2015. In 2018, she completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, carrying a sketchbook to paint the scenery and moments she experienced. Since then, she has hiked more than 3,000 miles on trails across the country, including the Superior Hiking Trail, the Pinhoti Trail, the Foothills Trail, and parts of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. Her artwork reflects these experiences and celebrates the beauty of the natural world.

Photographing Heidi at work in Damascus was a rewarding experience. Early morning light filled the park as she moved with steady focus, layering colors and shapes onto the wall. People passing through often paused to watch, showing how public art can connect neighbors and visitors alike.

In addition to documenting her newest mural, I also photographed her other murals in Damascus. Together, they create a walking tour of small-town art in Virginia, each piece telling its own story while sharing a connection to place.

By the time I finished photographing, the sun had shifted, and Heidi’s mural was on full display, with the shade from the building providing her some much-needed relief. This new addition to Damascus’ public art already feels at home and will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

If you visit Damascus, make sure to stop by the town park to see Heidi’s latest mural and explore her other works around town. Her art tells the story of this mountain community and the landscapes that inspire it.