The pictures below are merely an introduction to what proved to be a wonderful hike, a little testing, accompanied by the glory of Mother Nature showing off. The competition is pretty fierce, that is, the showing off bit. Full sets of pictures will follow on later blogs.
Accompanying the first set is of a hike that laid us low for the night as we compared aching muscles. Looks like Jen won the contest with eighteen muscles either in spasm, out of action or refusing to obey simple commands. Seems like one just can't get decent help these days. (continues below).
"Nothing's quite as pretty as Horska chata in the morning..."
An hour later, Jenni stands at the high point overlooking Popradske Pleso, the lake.
Back to the surface of the pleso and chata.
As we move up the mountain, the coloring changes.
Seeking better vantage points on a spectacular day..
After gaining 2,300 feet, we gaze across at Kaprovsky Stit. Last year, we climbed to that peak. (See below). Truth be told, we feel more intimidated looking at it from our current position than when perched upon it. Go figure!
Perched on the peak, last year. A staggering ascent and hike.
Jen positioned below the peak on the left, in black.
Sometimes one can't hold back the passion...just as well!
While struggling up the slopes today, a repetitive thought struck me for the umpteenth time. Why do people undertake activities that are tough, uncomfortable, sometimes with an element of danger lurking close, sweat generating, at times frustrating, pain inducing, and with what appears to be little payback, or more succinctly, with apparently little reward? I don’t necessarily understand the internal workings of the body and mind as I’d like. Yet, the answer to this supposed question is so easy that I ponder why I even raised it in the first place.
I think the only reason to exist is to be productive in whatever form that may take. Being productive, to make a contribution to the world or to oneself, to reach new heights (figuratively speaking), to meet challenges, to try to meet challenges even should one fail, are all goals the human needs to achieve to feel worthwhile. Expressed another way: A person should, no, must have purpose. While many might seek happiness as a goal (and who would say ‘no’ to that), being happy is a result not an action. While we all probably want to feel fulfilled, once again it’s a result of actions taken. Take away purpose and I would guarantee happiness would remain an elusive goal.
Back to the question: It seems that if one follows one’s passion in life, purpose falls into place. Therefore, when one is following one’s passion, all the hardships involved are ancillary, even expected. Surely, they are mere roadblocks along the way of fulfilling purpose. After all, when all the hardships have been met and beaten, what remains is achievement which is commensurate with happiness. After expending the sweat and effort, the difficulties dissipate and what usually remains is success and perhaps, elation. It seems the bigger the challenge, the greater the positive feeling that will follow. Makes sense.
To succeed, one needs to sweat. Sometimes difficult, other times very difficult, but always possible. The reward is often in the journey and not necessarily the goal.
And now, onto a tough, long and incredible day in which the mountains tested us. The full blog will follow later. The few photographs below are an introduction to Bystra Lavka in the High Tatras of Slovakia.
I think written across his back is an Afrikaans phrase, " Ja-nee". 'What are we facing?' This is the small climb of 4 to follow.
We've spoken (moaned) about the underfoot in this part of the world. Make sense?
Returning from the top but is actually heading in wrong direction. Spent some worried minutes contemplating a number of issues as the terrain was extremely dangerous.
Early stages, heading to the top of waterfall and then for the real action.
Harsh, tough but so attractive and challenging. Ice toward the high places added a nasty challenge.
Safe at last.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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