If I could describe the amount of wind that was whipping around the top of this volcano, then I am sure my hallowed words would make even the most hardened weatherman weep.

This was taken just as the sun climbed over the ridge of this caldera, an old volcano that collapsed into itself and has now formed a frozen lake inside the top. I am glad I had a heavy tripod because a lesser one would have first frozen like the T2000 in liquid nitrogen, then would immediately shatter into a million pieces, blowing itself off the mountain. I liked taking this shot for the same reason Stephen Wright likes to hit himself in the head with a hammer — it felt so good when I stopped.