![Picture](/uploads/1/2/3/6/12365113/published/top-of-the-world.jpg?1500164589)
We hiked to the top of the world today! Or at least the top of a mountain in VT, where we then climbed a fire tower and had 360-degree view of the Ascutney range. It’s pretty impressive to look down on the tops of 50-foot pine trees and see what growth looks like from that perspective. It was a beautiful, sunny day so our panoramic vista was grand.
The hike was super-challenging. Our vertical ascent was about a half-mile, and we hiked six miles to do that. The trail was really well-marked and well-maintained, which I like in a forest trail. There were lots of boulders and roots – which sounds bad, but sometimes they are what provides you the foothold you need. And sometimes they are just huge steps that take a lot of strength and conditioning. I had trekking poles – and I can’t imagine doing a climb like that without them. They are a Godsend for the slippery parts – and we had lots of slippery parts. But it was hard to not feel old when young people scampered by us faster and without poles. I was feeling healthy and fit until then. I suppose I still am…for my age. Sigh.
Why do people climb mountains anyway? In 1923, a hiker attempting Mt. Everest answered, famously, Because it’s there! I get why people ask; it’s hard and it can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. I climb because I like forests and because it’s exploration. It’s new and it’s interesting. When you turn a switchback you don’t know what you’re going to see; overlooks or a change in flora appear. The forest looks different again. It’s great exercise and it’s cheap. Most trails are accessible without any access fees and it’s a total workout! When I’m done, I feel virtuous; I have accomplished something grand.
There will come a day when I can no longer climb mountains, so I climb while I can. I still hear Girl Scout hiking songs in my mind; “I love to go a-wandering, along a mountain trail….” This one I don’t know the tune, but I like the words: “Climb mountains while you may, and sing your songs, Start living every day; it won’t be long before you turn around and wonder where life’s gone.
The hike was super-challenging. Our vertical ascent was about a half-mile, and we hiked six miles to do that. The trail was really well-marked and well-maintained, which I like in a forest trail. There were lots of boulders and roots – which sounds bad, but sometimes they are what provides you the foothold you need. And sometimes they are just huge steps that take a lot of strength and conditioning. I had trekking poles – and I can’t imagine doing a climb like that without them. They are a Godsend for the slippery parts – and we had lots of slippery parts. But it was hard to not feel old when young people scampered by us faster and without poles. I was feeling healthy and fit until then. I suppose I still am…for my age. Sigh.
Why do people climb mountains anyway? In 1923, a hiker attempting Mt. Everest answered, famously, Because it’s there! I get why people ask; it’s hard and it can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. I climb because I like forests and because it’s exploration. It’s new and it’s interesting. When you turn a switchback you don’t know what you’re going to see; overlooks or a change in flora appear. The forest looks different again. It’s great exercise and it’s cheap. Most trails are accessible without any access fees and it’s a total workout! When I’m done, I feel virtuous; I have accomplished something grand.
There will come a day when I can no longer climb mountains, so I climb while I can. I still hear Girl Scout hiking songs in my mind; “I love to go a-wandering, along a mountain trail….” This one I don’t know the tune, but I like the words: “Climb mountains while you may, and sing your songs, Start living every day; it won’t be long before you turn around and wonder where life’s gone.