46.13: Nevada: Mount Rose Peak above Lake Tahoe and the city of Reno.

Finding the perfect life is the endeavor of an extreme optimist or to put it harshly, that of a fool. It's fair to state that life presents difficulties, tests and a myriad of challenges. It's something we understand and experience. Should one take the opposite view of the optimist, knowing of the trials and tribulations that abound, it would not be unreasonable to consider that perhaps the miracle of life is a tad overrated. However, we believe both views are incorrect. What reminded us of this thinking (for a change) are our weeks in the Desolation Wilderness, the Eastern Sierra Nevada in general and the broad region surrounding Lake Tahoe. What a place, what a period! (continues at end...)



I got talking to a few people at the peak and it appears someone got a little impatient. A few moments earlier, Joe said to me, "What do you think it means when a woman folds her arms across the chest and looks a little haughty?" I wasn't having a good day with Jenni. Another fellow, Dwayne, remarked that I might be sleeping on the couch that night. I had to correct him. The night before was the couch. 'Tonight might be outside'.




A tough and pretty hike.




Back on track from the top after a false-start or two.




Lake Tahoe below.




The city of Reno in the distance.




Loved this position as we were twenty minutes into the descent.




Dwayne offered to take the shot. He's a phenomenon. At age of 77, he runs marathons and hikes up mountains...and takes photographs, too.




Not long now. When she gets that look and step it means she is chasing after her husband which tends to irritate her, so I'm told.




Tends to have extremely high winds on the peak.




Lake Tahoe is a truly blue body of water. 'Keep Tahoe Blue' seems to be working.




We were most fortunate, enjoying a light breeze. Ground temperatures in the 90's, 60-70's on the mountain.




A waterflow at this time of the year was a treat.




The surrounding mountains make the lake. We climbed a few on that side.



Of course, we could identify many other very attractive regions in different countries, too. Nevertheless, the rugged beauty and challenges presented in this magnificent part of the world sets the backdrop for our premise. Specifically, although this is but one example, we sat on the peak of Mount Rose, and gazed at a number of eye-catching sights. Nevertheless, it is often much more than the aesthetics—it's invariably a composite experience of struggle, tests, sights, animals and birds, people and the land, to mention a few aspects of life in nature.

To the south, the azure water of lake Tahoe, surrounded by towering mountains that seemed to roll toward the water with light basking them in a blue haze was tantalizing. To the west, we counted 6 other small lakes which probably included a reservoir. We find the higher one reaches, the more attractive the views below as the perspective of shapes comes into better focus. The immediate mountains before us, close and clear, shaped differently from others and covered in vast clumps of trees, provided contrasts. Some of the high ground reminded of dunes—they were close to barren.

We had passed a waterfall 2.5 miles into the hike and although we could not see the flow of water from the peak, we judged its position clearly. It gets back to the point of height providing perspective. The buildings of Reno, some 40 miles north of our position, were visible, contrasting with nature's display of natural beauty. The highway built into the mountains showed off man's ingenuity and engineering skills as the macadamized surface snaked in what seemed impossible situations. Such engineering feats allow us to realize our dreams in the mountains and elsewhere.

Above all, it's always the challenge of reaching these difficult destinations that gives one the true high. We sat on the peak, probably number 1,300 of Hike-about, feeling privileged to be at that position, blessed that we have the health and desire to do what we do and fortunate to absorb such magnificence. In addition, we observe and learn of the world's natural attributes and their functioning and interactions. We have often mentioned that each day is unique—we see and absorb something new every time we hit the slopes.

What added much to the day was meeting a number of fine and interesting people. Such occasions are always uplifting and each person brings something fresh and different to the table or in this case, the trail or peak. It's no wonder that we feel privileged to pursue our passion.



Down into the channel.




Usually the roughest areas on the mountains/volcanoes are close to the peaks.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Mary and Dwayne were refreshing. John Jeffrey, a man with a great name, has a sharp wit, Marta out-hiked her astute husband, Joe. There were others, too.