A Magical Moment in the Sun

Saturday I climbed up past Summerland on the east flank of Mt. Rainier and made my way up over Panhandle Gap. In fact, I think that this hike/run constituted a "personal best" in terms of speed and endurance over the approximately 15 miles that I covered that day. I say that "I think" because I never take such things seriously enough to actually time them...life is too short;-) At any rate, I literally ran the 2+ miles up from Summerland, over the gap and out on the ridgeline to a point overlooking the Sarvent Glaciers, and then back again, racing nightfall the whole way...too much fun!

During my trek I did find a rock outcropping that projected out over the Sarvent Glacier, some 500 feet below. I climbed out and sat there on the edge of oblivion, enjoying the cool air, deep blue skies and last vestiges of warmth from the late afternoon sun, all the while looking out over the Fryingpan Creek valley and marveling at the pristine mountain beauty displayed before me. This late in the day there was not another soul within miles and I truly felt as if all of this magnificence was placed there for me to enjoy.

Just when I believed the moment to be as perfect as possible (well, except for...you know;-), a pair of golden eagles soared around the edge of the canyon, flying towards me over the icy expanse of the glacier below. Taking notice of my presence, they abruptly reversed their course, letting loose a loud, piercing screech, seemingly voicing their displeasure at my unwanted intrusion into their domain. Then, as they turned, banking and exposing their undersides to the setting sun's soft, warm light, they literally exploded in a brilliant display of amber and gold, rivaling the beauty of the sun itself. Then they were gone, leaving me sitting there alone, breathless in my wonder at the magnificent display of nature's beauty that I had just witnessed.

The lengthing of the shadows from the mountain behind me presaged the coming of darkness, hastening my departure and lending urgency to my descent back towards civilization. Although I climbed down the mountain that day, I left behind me on that rocky outcropping an imprint of my soul and took with me a renewed appreciation of nature's beauty and a re-invigoration of my spirit that will surely sustain me for many days to come.