For the last week Liz and I had a base camp high in the Enchantment Peaks. With Eastern Washington burning around us, many of the climbers and residents of Leavenworth and nearby towns have run off to seek higher ground and an escape from the smoke. For those with automobiles, escape means Washington Pass, North Cascades, Smith Rock, or a variety of other destinations. For Liz and I, not limited but bound to human power, we put our hopes on the high country of the Enchantment Peaks. With fires blocking access to some of our bigger goals, we had to re-think our plans, and make the best of a world on fire. We were rewarded with many days of clean air, some days of smoke, and one of the best times anyone could ask for.
After returning from those 8 days of retreat and solitude, my mind needs some time to adjust back to the chaos, confusion, and pace of pavement, cars, people, and the Internet. We climbed, we cooked, we slept. Life was simple and quiet. It was one of the most amazing climbing trips, and experiences, of my life. Every moment was saturated with the beauty brought on by thin air, slanted light, and temples of stone. Every day found us on the summit of another mountain, with two of our routes possibly being first ascents or variations never climbed before. I simply cannot compact this trip into a single post so I’m just going to share some pictures here and come back over the coming days to share the high points as I sort through the hundreds of pictures and try to formulate the subtle insights and inspirations floating through my head into coherent words that capture the breathtaking beauty and impact these few days has had on my soul. Time stretches in the mountains, and as one adapts their humor or mannerisms to the company they share, my mind quickly adjusted to imitate the simple existence and sacred nature of this inspiring place. Hopefully I can realize and share some of these insights before they’re blown away like the wisps of clouds that created them. Like being fully committed to some self-help book or captivating new ideal, as I settle back into the routines and realities of life I’ll realize a base from which to relate these insights. While I gather my wits, collect my thoughts, enjoy these pictures, remember you can click on ’em to make ’em big! Thanks for being a part of this, thanks for reading, love to you all.
