Day #71: Alaskans Don't Believe in Switchbacks

Josiah and I hiked Mt. Juneau today. Correction: we didn't hike Mt. Juneau, we CLIMBED it. It rises 3500 feet in 2 miles, and literally goes straight up the side of the mountain. When asked, Alaskans will say "what do you mean there are no switchbacks?" This was easily the most taxing hike I've ever committed to, but it was also the most rewarding. (For those of you who are friends with me on Facebook, check out the video I took from the summit that I posted on my wall... absolutely incredible.) The 360 view from the top was a humbling reminder of how small I am in relationship to this great wide world, and of how great this northern land really is. It is interesting, though, how much an extremely physically demanding hike straight up a mountain can intensify the feeling of utter beauty when one reaches the summit. I felt transformed.

As we made our way back into town, I realized how much it felt like a lifetime ago that we had started this trail to the top. Standing on the top of that mountain, Alaska spread out before me in the infinite bliss of wildlife, glacier blue seas, and rugged snow-capped mountains as far as the eye can see, I felt indescribable. Some combination of invincible and defeated, alive and spiritual, utterly alone and yet one with the rest of the planet. If every day could be spent like this, I would be completely happy.