Week 11 - View From the Top

The climb begins with a dream. The trail is pregnant with expectation and mystery, yet varying little in its complexity or difficulty. What is more, a friend is by your side, in case trouble should arise. Signs along the well worn path warn of coming adversity.

You can see it up ahead as you begin to feel your blood flowing in your arms and legs. The dirt and gravel turn into stone and roots and you pay close attention to your footsteps as you walk so as not to trip. The full of the rock face reveals itself before you through the trees. You approach it and stop.

One foot, one hand; you climb slowly. Your arms and legs begin to pulse with blood and sweat now drip from your face. As the ground grows farther and farther away, the danger grows closer and closer. Potential energy. Halfway there.

There are no safety harnesses. No rock picks. No clamps. No ropes. No clips. No gloves. Not even a good foothold. Your brow drips. Your muscles tremble Your hands chafe. Your foot slips.

For a moment you feel weightless. Then Atlas; the weight of the world to bear. Fear takes control of your movements as you instinctively reach out for anything to avert whatever happens next. There is nothing there.

Suddenly a hand greets yours; gently seizing on to you. You hold tightly and look up at the light above. Your friend's face quickly turns from fear to joy as they pull you up. You both laugh as you collapse at the top. They say that that is what friends are for.

You wipe your forehead, you take a drink, and you stand at the zenith. The wind cools your face. It carries your thoughts with it into the sky. Staring into the distant horizon you see a mountain; ever so slightly taller than the one on which you now stand. You dream.