“There it is guys!”
I turned and looked out the window to see it. It was even more breathtaking than I had imagined. I had visited many mountains during my family’s yearly trips to national parks, but no peak possessed the beauty and grace of this one, standing tall and alone in the landscape. No mountain was as gorgeous as Mount Rainier.
The first day, we hiked it, but not in its entirety of course. Ranging at 14,411 feet tall, Mount Rainier is hardly an easy climb, so we drove up a few thousand feet and started our trek. We were loving it! That was until we weren’t. Suddenly, my entire family began to feel lightheaded and nauseous: altitude sickness, the enemy of every hiker. We knew we wouldn’t be able to reach the peak, but we refused to stop until we could touch the snow that dusted the top quarter of the mountain.
So we persisted, and my goodness that snow felt wonderful. It was amazing that we could be sweating in typical summer weather while our fingers were chilled in the icy white blanket beneath our feet. I wanted to stay there all day, but unfortunately, the altitude sickness got the best of my family and we were forced to retreat.
We scrambled down with our backs to the mountain, and I felt a sense of longing tugging at my heels, begging me to stop. I paused and turned around to stare up again at this enormous dark gray chunk of rock. It made me feel so small and so humble. I was so fortunate to be standing there admiring one of nature’s most magnificent creations, and I never wanted to leave.
The next day, we drove to a ski lodge where we were staying for the night. We took a gondola up the small mountains surrounding the resort to admire the view that was above. Sure enough, I was once again greeted by my old friend Mount Rainier, but from farther away this time. And once again I just stood there, awestruck, reveling in its beauty.
A few days later, my family drove to Seattle to do some sightseeing. I was extremely impressed by the city’s vibrant colors and unconventional structure; it was so much different from Chicago, where I’m from. But what set it apart the most was the faint image of an astonishing mountain in the background.
After seven glorious days exploring Washington, it was hard to say goodbye. Yes, I would miss Seattle with its legendary Space Needle and gorgeous views of the ocean, and I would miss the charming ski lodge which was centered perfectly between countless great hiking trails. But none of these feelings would compare to the yearning I would experience for another trip to Mount Rainier: it was a friend, a constant, but it is thousands of miles away ruling the state of Washington with its beauty.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
6 Replies to “It’s Not Just a Mountain”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
nice
Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka with our family tours. Discover unforgettable experiences for all with Family Tours Sri Lanka. Book your adventure today with Sri Lanka Family Tours.
I like this article because it tells you about how these people, and that they were detemind to climb the mountain……
Bringing to you the most unique holidays covering the most beautiful parts of Himachal. Tirthan: Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley derives its name from the Tirthan river, which winds its way through it. Tirthan Valley is one of the less-visited places which makes it more beautiful and peaceful. The natural beauty of the place is alluring enough, it gives you an offbeat destination taste without bringing you to a remote area. Some of the highlights of the trek include beautiful meadows with flowers in full bloom, glaciers feeding into the Tirthan Valley, and the views of the higher snow-clad ranges
here is a very beautiful destination in India where you want to travel with zenithholidays – tour & travel company
Trekking In Nepal is one of the most popular tourist Activities. Trekking in Nepal generally involves walking on trails with beautiful views for around 6 to 8 hours a day. In a trek, a trekker walks along routes with the variety of land topography including passes, river, high altitude routes, and much more. Travelers enjoy trekking in Nepal because they can enjoy the beautiful nature and sceneries of the country.
Nepal is a land of wonder and home to 8 breathtaking mountains above 8000 meters. These include Mt. Everest (the tallest mountain in the world), Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Dhaulagiri, etc. Needless to say, these are some of the tallest mountains in the world. These mountains and the wonderful trails nearby make trekking in Nepal a delightful prospect.
All of these mountains are well-protected. Besides, the area and surrounding forests form a part of many national parks and conservation areas. There are many lakes, gorges, waterfalls, and culturally significant places nearby these trekking areas. Thus, people from all over the world dream of trekking in Nepal.
There are many trekking in Nepal, Some of these treks are short in length. These treks last anywhere from a day to one week. On the other hand, there are also longer treks that can take anywhere between a week and a month.
Annapurna Circuit Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Everest Base Camp treks are some of the most popular treks in Nepal. These treks are moderate in their length.
Langtang valley trek, Everest view trek, and Ghorepani Poonhill trek are some of the popular short treks. Due to their short span, these Short treks in Nepal tend to cost a lot less than longer treks.
As you trek to the high altitude, high Himalayas and their beauty will greet you. Panoramic mountains and the beautiful sunrise/ sunset amidst the soaring mountains will be a delight.
Most trekking areas are also declared as national parks and conservation areas. These are home to beautiful species of birds and animals. You can get to see some exotic animals, butterflies, and birds during your trek in Nepal.
What a great present to ask for! I’m so impressed that you managed to find the 40 things to give away and I’m dying to know what the others were.