Mount_john – Wanderings

The sign says it’ll take one hour and 45 minutes in total. I’ve got that to spare.

I’m going to do a walking up a mountain thing!

So lonely.

Up until this break into the open, it was all trees and an incline. Much incline 🥵

I genuinely forgot to take any photos.

Up the stairs I went, the One Ring clenched firmly in my palm.

But how easily I was distracted by the view!

I’m told it’s called ‘hiking’.

Once I got to the southern summit I just sat there, staring at the area around me, so far below.

I felt a sense of accomplishment and I was overwhelmed by the view.

The Southern Alps looked majestic. Clouds covered the very tops of the mountains and I couldn’t help but imagine being drawn to Sauron’s Eye atop one of the peaks.

It was an experience

The longer I stayed, the darker the sky became and the fiercer the wind blew. It began with deep groans, then rose to tormented wails as it sliced between the rocks all around me.

I stood against the onslaught as steadfastly as I could, imagining myself a warrior against a ghostly enemy. I tried to shout it back – I’m still alive! I’m still here! – To my surprise, it came out in Japanese.

I was moved to tears. I was alone as a human, but more deeply connected to the natural world around me as I’ve been in a long time.

Still, as energised as I felt, my strength was hardly enough against the pummelling, frigid gusts.

Before long, I retreated to the shelter of a nearby ridge and became myself again. I sat for a time and stared back towards Lake Tekapo, soaking up the experience.

I felt something up there on Mount John’s southern summit. It began as a hike to pass the time and it became so much more.

At the very least, I learned why people go on holidays. Truly. It’s something I never quite understood before.

Now, I’ll be one of the many, working hard to make time to seek out more of these incredible experiences.

And finally, so as to not have to end on too deep a note:

Tomorrow, it’ll be time to leave Lake Tekapo and seek out different experiences.

The Met Service says Lindis Pass won’t have such severe gusts as it did today – up to 56kph steady with gusts over 100kph 😳

I can’t wait to find out what it’s like in the morning.

Just like Frodo and Sam, I’m heading up a mountain.

Unlike Frodo and Sam, I’m not going to meet Arwen 😕

The guy at 4 Square told me that it’s about a three hour round trip to the Mt John observatory. Let’s see about that…

11:10am

There are flowers down by the lake that have grown up from between the rocks and pebbles. They’re thriving.

Why shouldn’t I go about my life in the same manner, relentlessly seeking to grow? Stubbornly existing in my own way.

I have the ability to think and I would choose to waste it on doubt, frustration and anger? It seems a shame.

Choose life.

11:20am

In the following clip, a second bird flies right into the middle of the shot. I didn’t see it and so cut the clip when I did.

As I looked up, the bird dove into the water and came up with a fish larger than itself. The fish struggled, the bird lost its grip and it came away without a catch.

Initially, I was disappointed that I didn’t capture the event, but I took it as a great reminder to observe things for myself as well.

“Remember to look for yourself”.

Part 2

Tag: Mount_john

A mountain called John – Part 2

A mountain called John – Part 1