Zer0-G
New member
4:30 AM. Waking to a starry sky, my mind strays to thoughts of what the previous days forecast had predicted. Rain gear secured, I inventory gear and mind while enjoying a hot cup of tea under fading darkness.
5:00 AM. I take a few moments to reflect as Gail readies her daypack. I am excited, today will complete the list.
46.
I have many thoughts about how I think I’ll feel when I return to the St. Huberts parking area hours from now. For now, I’ll live in the anticipation.
5:15. Still Dark. We begin our journey. As the forecast had predicted a dicey midday and a promise of rain, I feel somewhat rushed. It’s a struggle to stay in the moment. I manage to make mental notes of my surroundings in an effort to prove to myself that I am still “stopping to smell the roses”. Numerous little birds dancing about as if to provide escort along “Lake Road”, a campsite with clothing draped about in an attempt to dry, numerous frogs and a small injured bird which Gail tended to with some water and relocation out of harms way.
As the morning progressed with the miles, golden rays of sun begin to stream down through the trees. I am more relaxed now, more in the moment. I don’t remember much between Elk Pass and the summit of Colvin. My mind wandered through my Adirondack experiences of the past few weeks. The climb seemed effortless. Colvin presented itself, dazzling my senses. Morning light and mountain tops always seem to work very well together and this morning is no different.
8:30 AM finds us in the relative peace and seclusion of Blake’s summit. Feeling content and peaceful I notice my attention turning inward. All of the effort put forth for all of these peaks, I am living in the question “Why?”
Elk Pass, we turn our efforts towards Nippletop. I want nothing more in this moment than to enjoy every step. Supported by the warming rays of the sun I notice my breathing. Each breath, each step, the climb up to Nippletop is joyful and serene. “Nippletop .2 mi”
10:30 AM the summit of Nippletop welcomes us with a cooling breeze and a clear view. Moments of memory flood through my mind as each peak is observed and noted. My usual acknowledgements and blessings take on new life and flow deeper into the valleys and over the distant mountaintops. In concert with Air, Light and Rock, Body, Speech and Mind, we set off towards Dial.
The sky is turning to gray now, delivering a well deserved coolness. Each step is now accompanied with thought. Each breath is an affirmation. The approach to Dial is effortless and so peaceful. I see the summit – turning to the summit rock, I “see” a Lotus flower. Sitting now, I gaze off into the expansiveness – air, wind, clouds, mountains, trees, water, earth…..
I understand “why” –
May all sentient beings have happiness and the cause of happiness.
May they be free from suffering and the cause of suffering.
May they not be separated from the true happiness that is beyond suffering.
May they remain in the state of great equanimity that is beyond any partiality, desire or aversion.
May all the benefits and happiness I receive from this accomplishment be for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Om mane peme hung!
I think of my son and wife and all who helped me along the way.
I thank Gail for allowing me the space to let this happen today.
A toast and a brief celebration…..
12:15 PM – We leave the friendly open summit of Dial, this unexpected Jewel of a mountain. A cool rain begins to fall now – a cleansing. A new beginning awaits somewhere. As I walk, I think, I shall not yet decide what that new beginning is for there is something to be said for fully enjoying that moment and this.
2:30 PM – Back at St. Huberts –
A Shower…..;
A Dinner……..;
I think I’ll have that Ice Cream Sundae now……….
5:00 AM. I take a few moments to reflect as Gail readies her daypack. I am excited, today will complete the list.
46.
I have many thoughts about how I think I’ll feel when I return to the St. Huberts parking area hours from now. For now, I’ll live in the anticipation.
5:15. Still Dark. We begin our journey. As the forecast had predicted a dicey midday and a promise of rain, I feel somewhat rushed. It’s a struggle to stay in the moment. I manage to make mental notes of my surroundings in an effort to prove to myself that I am still “stopping to smell the roses”. Numerous little birds dancing about as if to provide escort along “Lake Road”, a campsite with clothing draped about in an attempt to dry, numerous frogs and a small injured bird which Gail tended to with some water and relocation out of harms way.
As the morning progressed with the miles, golden rays of sun begin to stream down through the trees. I am more relaxed now, more in the moment. I don’t remember much between Elk Pass and the summit of Colvin. My mind wandered through my Adirondack experiences of the past few weeks. The climb seemed effortless. Colvin presented itself, dazzling my senses. Morning light and mountain tops always seem to work very well together and this morning is no different.
8:30 AM finds us in the relative peace and seclusion of Blake’s summit. Feeling content and peaceful I notice my attention turning inward. All of the effort put forth for all of these peaks, I am living in the question “Why?”
Elk Pass, we turn our efforts towards Nippletop. I want nothing more in this moment than to enjoy every step. Supported by the warming rays of the sun I notice my breathing. Each breath, each step, the climb up to Nippletop is joyful and serene. “Nippletop .2 mi”
10:30 AM the summit of Nippletop welcomes us with a cooling breeze and a clear view. Moments of memory flood through my mind as each peak is observed and noted. My usual acknowledgements and blessings take on new life and flow deeper into the valleys and over the distant mountaintops. In concert with Air, Light and Rock, Body, Speech and Mind, we set off towards Dial.
The sky is turning to gray now, delivering a well deserved coolness. Each step is now accompanied with thought. Each breath is an affirmation. The approach to Dial is effortless and so peaceful. I see the summit – turning to the summit rock, I “see” a Lotus flower. Sitting now, I gaze off into the expansiveness – air, wind, clouds, mountains, trees, water, earth…..
I understand “why” –
May all sentient beings have happiness and the cause of happiness.
May they be free from suffering and the cause of suffering.
May they not be separated from the true happiness that is beyond suffering.
May they remain in the state of great equanimity that is beyond any partiality, desire or aversion.
May all the benefits and happiness I receive from this accomplishment be for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Om mane peme hung!
I think of my son and wife and all who helped me along the way.
I thank Gail for allowing me the space to let this happen today.
A toast and a brief celebration…..
12:15 PM – We leave the friendly open summit of Dial, this unexpected Jewel of a mountain. A cool rain begins to fall now – a cleansing. A new beginning awaits somewhere. As I walk, I think, I shall not yet decide what that new beginning is for there is something to be said for fully enjoying that moment and this.
2:30 PM – Back at St. Huberts –
A Shower…..;
A Dinner……..;
I think I’ll have that Ice Cream Sundae now……….
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