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Beautiful Earth
the e-newsletter of Eric Zamora
Hi [FIRSTNAME],
As I descended Hannegan Pass, 14 days after starting my trek through North Cascades National Park, something about me must have looked different. I certainly felt different. Pain radiated throughout my body. My feet were numb from the cold, wet boots encasing them. My knees were swollen, and my back ached.
But I felt great. I had hiked solo for two weeks through the North Cascades carrying everything I needed to survive and document the experience. Despite the pain, euphoria filled me.
A couple I crossed paths with just below the pass asked me where I had just came from. As I described my trek in brief detail, I smiled just barely. At the end of my statement I exhaled. My smile grew. The woman and man smiled too, their eyes opening wide. “Wow,” they said. I smiled even bigger. After a short pause the woman looked at me and said, “I see bliss in your eyes.” She turned to her partner and said endearingly, “Look honey, he has bliss in his eyes." Turning back to me, "I can see it. That’s pure bliss.”
She was right. It wasn’t like I was dancing or yelling or laughing uncontrollably. I didn’t seem excited. It was a humble feeling, quiet but powerful, like the mountains that surrounded me. I didn’t talk long with the couple. I didn’t need to. They understood. They saw it in my eyes.
On October 5, I stepped off of a trail that had led me 112 miles through ancient forests and glaciated valleys, over rivers and mountain passes, immersed in some of the most spectacular autumn color I had ever seen. I encountered five black bears, deer, marmots, ptarmigan, birds of prey, countless varieties of fungi, waterfalls, fierce wind, rain and snow. I climbed to 7,800 feet in elevation and descended to 1,500. I did it. I hiked solo through North Cascades National Park. I conquered my fears. I pushed through the pain and doubt. I drank down the grandeur that is wilderness. This is my story.
See photos and read about my experience on my blog: Milestone – Success Trekking North Cascades National Park
For additional images see: Featured Gallery – North Cascades
All my best,
Eric
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