I am still amazed at the wonder of mountains, their majestic, rugged, and simple beauty captures my attention especially when there is a fresh dusting of snow over their peaks. What is more compelling is my desire to climb them, to walk on them and to meet them on their own terms. Mountain and weather converge on the climber, navigating its contours provides a thrilling challenge. I hear the mountain call out to me, "come and enjoy my beauty and freedom;" on my way around crevasses, up icy slopes, buttress, ridge, with the summit in sight, I am overcome with exhilaration amidst the cold thin air, wind, jagged edges, and weak muscles.Maybe, mountains are like fairy-tales, where my imagination can run free in their heights, the opportunity to reach out of myself, to explore a world unknown. Maybe it is among these stone giants, in this place of solitude that I discover more about who I am, in reality, against the backdrop of this uncompromising monolith. I feel so small and alone standing here on the summit, holding my axe, peering out to the valley below, the cold against my face, and the sound of the snow crunching beneath my feet.
There is a quiet peace that surrounds me here.
Here above the clouds I feel heaven within my reach, if only for a moment.
Maybe that is why I keep coming back.
Top Picture provided by Alpine Ascents
Left: Sagarmatha (Nepalese), Chomolungma (Tibetan), for Mt. Everest 8,850m
Right: Ama Dablam 6,865m
