
We had a beautiful, albeit cold day up top yesterday. The high was 13 degrees. The low was -4 degrees. It was 12 degrees & clear at observation. It looks like we'll have another wonderful, clear day. There is still plenty of snow on the trails, so be prepared. Do not wear cotton (including jeans), have some sort of waterproof footwear and consider gaiters & traction devices.
When I headed to Cliff Tops for sunset last night, some folks in the shelter wondered whether I ever get used to the beauty up here and end up taking it for granted. This question caught me off guard, and I recalled the times I didn't bother to go to sunset. Initially, this makes me regret how I've spent my time up here, as if I'm not living well enough to justify being in such a fortunate situation.
However, thankfully enough, I think I am less habituated to the scenery here than my initial concerns would indicate. There are some strokes of nature more subtle than the beauty at sunrise and sunset. My time up here has taught me to appreciate the way the sunlight plays in the trees at 4:36pm, rather than just the overt grandeur of something as magnificent as a sunrise or sunset. It's been a gift in it's own way, to be fortunate enough to have my eyes opened to the constant beauty and majesty one can gain only by a full immersion into Nature.