Lazarow World-Hike-About

In eight hikes over the month spread between Mount Woodson and Iron Mountain, all at sunrise, on only one occasion were the valleys devoid of clouds. This particular region, for reasons unknown to us, is one of the finest when the clouds form below mountaintops and allow the sun to join the party. It becomes a dawn filled with frolicking, shades, shadows, colors, shapes, reflections and fulfilled human observers. Truth be told, if one makes the effort to reach the top at the early hour then one is more than an observer—perhaps it's not unreasonable to classify such person as a participant. The photographs below are from a hike on Mount Woodson. (Next postings from Greece, soon.) Mountain peak comes up for air. Waiting for the sun to clear the mountains. A Poway Peninsula. Iron mountain takes a rear seat for a while. 'Good morning sunshine.' To the north-west, 'beached-whales'. Sun breaks through and begins the 'melting process...

It's fascinating to be positioned beyond the clouds for a number of reasons. For one, they are virgin white, so pure, so bold from on high and above. However, when one is below the clouds in San Diego, for instance, particularly when they don't allow for direct sunlight to penetrate, their undersides are grey and somber—pretty dull and quite miserable. After returning from the peak, it is as if one has a secret: that of striking colors and images burned into the mind and soul. Whereas to most at ground level, it is a dull day weather wise, the images and feelings derived from the mountaintop remain within one and continue to radiate even when walking back on the unaffected surface below. Facing east from Mount Woodson as well as some lake views. Feel the smoothness. Always preferred mountain to ocean, views. Antennae on Black Mountain break through clouds while sun lights foreground. Clouds begin to dissipate and reveal what they covered. Dam below,...

I left home at 4:45am and arrived at Iron Mountain some thirty-five minutes later with the intention of hiking together with Sean Bradford, a delightful young man. I was stunned to find the carpark full at that unseemly hour. Subsequently, I learned the Navy had an outing on the mountain, hence the overcrowding. I suppose that's what happens when you park a fully-staffed battleship, idling at the entrance to a trail. One would think the oceans provided enough scope for their activities. I would love to have seen the outcome had the Marine Corp also decided to visit the "Iron" on the day. Although the trail would have been crowded earlier than when we began, we had a pleasant walk to the top, enjoyed a few cracks with many of the sailors upon reaching the summit and ran down soon thereafter to avoid the returning crowd. It was satisfying that none of the young women and men could catch us, sea legs and all. Once again, the clouds filling the valleys, what appeared to ...

It's appropriate that the penultimate hike was a climactic one although the final mountain wasn’t ‘shabby’ either. Fortunately, we reached many pics (peaks) over the month, not forgetting a large number of alpine lakes, the former all good but some exceptional. It’s worth mentioning a few so we won’t forget the names although we’ll always remember the experiences. They include Pics- Casamanya, El Pessons, La Serrera, Cubil Petite, Besali, Tristaina and Pic Coma Pedrosa (Valley of stones). (text continues after first set of pictures...) At sunrise outside Refugi Coma Pedrosa, we prepare for a special day while the sun hits the spot. A little perspective: A view from close to the top, quite remarkable...actually, it was a 'wow'. A view of the peaks we had to pass to reach Coma Pedrosa, (taken from the trailhead). The refugi where we spent the night and Estany (lake) de les Truites viewed from somewhere on the front ridge. Smiling? First of five i...