Enjoying Creation

Two days ago, I experienced the most incredible hike of my life. Heading out from Little Molas Lake on Hwy 550, I took the well-packed Colorado Trail up a series of switchbacks. Very quickly, the trail was moving up the naturally terraced, rock lined hill side above treeline. After only about ten minutes, I decided to turn the run into a hike in order to more fully take in my surroundings. It was during the next few minutes that I fell in love with God and his creation again. Like the psalmist, I felt incapable of withholding praise. The mountains, the hills, the sky - they all are a testament of the power, beauty and creativity of God. Furthermore, as his creation, I naturally feel most satisfied and complete when encompassed by his glory that is nature. This summer is almost surreal to me. I have the privilege of hanging around beautiful Colorado, hiking, camping and interacting with incredibly interesting people. In the moment, I can perceive that this is a pivotal point in my life. God is teaching and developing me everyday, and I am grateful. Even my future path is starting to become less murky. I don't know what the future holds but I am not worried, knowing that he will guide my ways and work everything for the better.

In other news, I've spent a couple days in Durango this week. A friend and I went up to XRock off Hwy 550 and I led Left X, a full trad route. Although only rated a 5.7, it was stiff. The additional mental stress of playing your own gear is amazing. It is completely different from sport climbing. I love it. Yesterday, we went on the Alpine Loop in a friend's jeep. This 4x4 path of old mining roads winds through some beautiful parts of the San Juans. It was a fun drive. We eventually went to Velocity Basin, a cirque-like area surrounded by peaks. The accumulating snow was melting off to leave astoundingly blue water. I've never seen such color in water before. In some spots, the water over the top of snow, leaving the snow dimpled and pitted - a neat look.