Only Cabin on the Left in the Granite Mountains

I am currently sitting in between two rocks on the Granite Mountains at 4,000+ ft up overlooking the Mojave Desert. I am bleeding from my arms, hands and knees, exhausted, hurting all over, sweating profusely, freezing, and I feel so weak that I am contemplating sleeping on top of this mountain for the night and risking hypothermia. However, despite all of this, I have never felt this much happiness and peace in my entire life. I think part of it is because of how proud of myself that I climbed up so high on these jagged mountains and harsh vegetation. I have never been much of an athletic person nor have I ever even done so much as rock climbing in an air conditioned facility where you have safety equipment and workers babysitting you the entire time. This is only the second day of being here at the Granite Mountains in the Mojave National Preserve, and despite having to use an outhouse like I’m in the 19th century, today makes me excited for what the rest of the trip will bring. 
The rain that probably comes once a year in this desert has actually created a little spring, which was really cool to see. I also saw plenty of moss, cacti, plants and little rodents during my climb. I thought I heard a bird singing a beautiful song, but it turned out to be Jacob whistling. 

Later that night:
We star-gazed on a rock in our sleeping bags and I saw the Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Orion’s belt for the first time in my life. I have never seen the stars that clear and beautiful before, it was amazing! When everyone left to go to sleep, me, Jacob, and Josh were talking to owls and they were actually hooting back at us, it was hilarious. Then, we ran back inside the cabin because we heard a bobcat growling and I nearly crapped my pants. Anyway, it's been a great day.

Publicado el marzo 19, 2020 12:09 MAÑANA por astray_cat