Mt. Hood in the mist. I Saw So Far
I went to the mountaintop.
He bade me not to go,
Concerned I would not
Come back.
I was clueless in my cold trudging.
The numbness in my body and
The blinding snow complied with danger.
It took the fullness of time
To climb and be back
Safe in my bed.
I did not know he cared,
Till after I found, that
In my going up, he
Did not sleep,
Until he knew of my
Coming down.
Susan Patterson
I went to the mountaintop.
He bade me not to go,
Concerned I would not
Come back.
I was clueless in my cold trudging.
The numbness in my body and
The blinding snow complied with danger.
It took the fullness of time
To climb and be back
Safe in my bed.
I did not know he cared,
Till after I found, that
In my going up, he
Did not sleep,
Until he knew of my
Coming down.
Susan Patterson
Audio of I Saw So Far
Discussion:
Mt. Hood is located in the state of Oregon, where I live. It is about a two hour drive from my house. Mt. Hood, about 12,500 feet high, is stunning in its beauty and calls many climbers from all over the world. Even though it is not an exceedingly difficult climb by some standards, the mountain can be very dangerous and it is not unusual for people to get lost in white-outs or to get caught up in some other type of dangerous weather condition. 130 people have lost their lives on our mountain. Some have never been found.
In 1985 I decided that I wanted to climb Mt. Hood. One of my running partners, who was an expert climber, was leading a group to the top, so I joined them. May is the best month to climb Mt. Hood. The weather is warmer and more stable. The snow is still relatively firm and even though you often sink to your knees in the white stuff, it is maneuverable. The winter storms are usually gone and if there is clear weather, you can see, it seems like forever. We went up in May.
The Mt Hood climber usually starts around 1:00 am, ascends to the top in about six or seven hours, has the breakfast that he or she has carried up in a pack, and then descends back down in about three or four hours. It is an absolutely breathtaking experience. The beauty is unforgettable, but so is the danger. So is the cold. So are the sulfur gasses coming up out of the ground of the dormant volcano that Mt. Hood is. Some people in our party couldn't make it and turned back. Climbing the Hogsback ridge at the very last point to get up and over on to the level place at top of the mountain was frightening. Looking down over the edge of some of the glaciers was mind numbing, not to mention that much of your body was numb already. But looking out over all the other mountains for miles and miles took one beyond the immediate.
I could go on and talk more about climbing Mt. Hood, but this is Causerie and the subject really is poetry. Today's poem is about climbing Mt. Hood. I made the trek without knowing the terrain or the dangers. I didn't know all that was expected of me, let alone how to use an ice axe. I was excited for the experience. I didn't even think it might be worrisome. But, someone worried. So much so, that from the time I started driving alone to the mountain at 11:00 at night, to getting back the next day to his house around 4:00 in the afternoon, he did not sleep at all. When I finally slept and he could hear me safely breathing, he napped.
I saw more than jaw dropping, tear producing scenery that day. I saw with surprise that someone cared enough to let me go and to be adventuresome and then to be waiting for me when I came back . I saw into the future. skp
In 1985 I decided that I wanted to climb Mt. Hood. One of my running partners, who was an expert climber, was leading a group to the top, so I joined them. May is the best month to climb Mt. Hood. The weather is warmer and more stable. The snow is still relatively firm and even though you often sink to your knees in the white stuff, it is maneuverable. The winter storms are usually gone and if there is clear weather, you can see, it seems like forever. We went up in May.
The Mt Hood climber usually starts around 1:00 am, ascends to the top in about six or seven hours, has the breakfast that he or she has carried up in a pack, and then descends back down in about three or four hours. It is an absolutely breathtaking experience. The beauty is unforgettable, but so is the danger. So is the cold. So are the sulfur gasses coming up out of the ground of the dormant volcano that Mt. Hood is. Some people in our party couldn't make it and turned back. Climbing the Hogsback ridge at the very last point to get up and over on to the level place at top of the mountain was frightening. Looking down over the edge of some of the glaciers was mind numbing, not to mention that much of your body was numb already. But looking out over all the other mountains for miles and miles took one beyond the immediate.
I could go on and talk more about climbing Mt. Hood, but this is Causerie and the subject really is poetry. Today's poem is about climbing Mt. Hood. I made the trek without knowing the terrain or the dangers. I didn't know all that was expected of me, let alone how to use an ice axe. I was excited for the experience. I didn't even think it might be worrisome. But, someone worried. So much so, that from the time I started driving alone to the mountain at 11:00 at night, to getting back the next day to his house around 4:00 in the afternoon, he did not sleep at all. When I finally slept and he could hear me safely breathing, he napped.
I saw more than jaw dropping, tear producing scenery that day. I saw with surprise that someone cared enough to let me go and to be adventuresome and then to be waiting for me when I came back . I saw into the future. skp
This and That…
Whew, that was a long discussion! I won't bore you with other trivia this time. Remember, books are on sale at the Earlene Grey web site, www.EarleneGrey.com Shipping is free. Books are not, but they are at a very good price. And, as always, it is nice to have a book on hand that makes you feel happy. If you don't want to buy, check out the website and just listen to the intro music. I won't mind.
Remember, the Open Studios of Beavercreek is coming June 21, 22, 23. If you are in the area, please stop by. I would love to visit with you at my studio pictured on this blog page.
I hope that May has been a good month for you. It is usually a pivotal time for me. New phases of my life often start in May. I believe great things happen in May more often than in any other month. But now our merry month is almost over, so enjoy her last few sweet days and look forward to the warming of summer and the glory of June. skp
Remember, the Open Studios of Beavercreek is coming June 21, 22, 23. If you are in the area, please stop by. I would love to visit with you at my studio pictured on this blog page.
I hope that May has been a good month for you. It is usually a pivotal time for me. New phases of my life often start in May. I believe great things happen in May more often than in any other month. But now our merry month is almost over, so enjoy her last few sweet days and look forward to the warming of summer and the glory of June. skp
Mt. Hood in Oregon.
Keep climbing. skp
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