How does one know a mountain? One can point to a mountain and say “such is a mountain”, which is tantamount to knowing a mountain from the view of a mountain. There is, however, alternatively knowledge of the nature of a mountain by climbing and know by viewing from the mountain. Such glory is all that is divine (not in the Christian sense) and earthly open to the new vista of perception. The climb up to the top of Yosemite Falls – one of the tallest waterfalls in the world – was strenuous to say the least, but well worth the while. It truly is one of the marvels of nature… particularly in mid-autumn when the oak and ash are glowing saffron in the evening sun.
Every path may have its own reward, but still, I can say that some are a bit better than others. I had started on the trail late, and by the time I reached the top, it was well nigh dusk. There were only a sprinkle of people left who had made the climb earlier. Once they all left, I spent the remaining time enjoying the sunset with three others I’d ascended with. In the end I can report that it’s other-worldly to feel the spray of the falls blown back in your face in the evening sun, with the rainbow fading with the dying light. After a bit of rest, we hiked back down in pitch darkness.