Today four of us decided on our day off to climb up to a high alpine lake and then above to a mountain. I had my wish to experience the ‘lived’ beauty of the Alps.

Experiencing Beauty

I wanted to walk along narrow trails with steep declines, to feel cold sweat on my body, to be enveloped in clouds, to peer at majestic scenery atop mountains, to be dazzled by wildflowers cascading down slopes. I wanted to ‘work’ to experience beauty. To be challenged. To feel the burn of weary calves as I worked my way up the loose and slippery slopes. To be awed by the majesty of the mountains knowing one slip may cause calamity.

Les Crosses

It was incredible to experience the sublime as we climbed up to Col de Tanay, a beautiful alpine lake at 1408 metres and then continue you up to Les Crosses, a mountain with a cross atop it at around 2000 metres. We climbed in three and a half hours about 1000 metres. As we hiked along the mist slowly burned off revealing the majestic mountains in between drifting clouds.

On top of the craggy mountaintop we sat and I was amazed with the diverse array of wildflowers, a technocolour rainbow flowing down the mountainside.

Lived Beauty

On a day off to rest our weary legs the last thing one would think of doing is more walking. I am so grateful for this experience, to experience beauty not just view it.

Below are some of the images taken along the hike today.