Himalaya High

My three week trek in the Himalayas came to an end two weeks ago and the magnificence and majesty of these mountains is still sinking in. Sometimes, my time there seems like a distant dream and I wonder, "Was I really there?"

I have so many amazing memories of this trek, it's somewhat overwhelming. Yesterday, I finally got around to downloading the photos from my camera and took some time reliving the people, places and scenery. The photo above is atop Goyko Ri, a 17,500 peak where you can see Mount Everest, Lotse and Nupse in the background.

Over a week of this trek was spent above 15,000 feet in altitude. I've only been above that altitude once (in Peru) and spending so much time that high was challenging in terms of eating, sleeping and breathing.

Even with these challenges, spending this time in the "rooftop of the world" was exhilarating. I don't believe I could ever get tired of seeing these giants of mountains towering over us. When we were at our highest point, Kala Patthar (18,200 feet), Everest still loomed above, more than 10,000 feet higher!

This was definitely a high point in my life and, literally, an authentic "mountaintop experience." These kind of experiences can feed one's soul for months and even years. Time will tell how long this high will last-- right now, I'm just enjoying it.

Down from the Mountaintop

Having enjoyed several days on mountaintops in the Andes, I'm now back on the plains of daily life. Mountaintops are wonderful places. On a summit you are high above the surrounding scenery and have great vistas. This "top of the world" feeling is thrilling.

No wonder we call spiritual highs "mountaintop experiences." No matter where you are located, a mountaintop experience is one of deep mystery and meaning. Such experiences nourish and inspire our souls. These direct encounters with the sacred dimension of life are energizing and transforming.

A mountaintop is a great place to visit, but we can't stay there too long. At some point, we need to descend from this high place to the plains of everyday life. Life is not lived on mountaintops, but on the plains (and sometimes the valleys) of daily life. Moses came down from Mt. Sinai. Jesus, Peter, James and John came down from the Mount of Transfiguration. Mountaintops are way stations on the journey of life.

Yet, the memories of our mountaintop experiences can sustain us and inspire us in our daily life. They remind us of times of intense spiritual connection where God seems so near that we can reach out and touch the Divine presence. We need to cherish these rare moments while realizing that they are so precious because they are rare. Happy climbing-- and happy descending!