It’s hard to beat the soaring majesty of mountains. It’s also apparently hard to define exactly what a mountain is. Countries around the globe use factors such as height, elevation, relief and volume in a vain attempt to define them. The Oxford English Dictionary settles for something suitably vague: “a natural elevation of the earth surface rising more or less abruptly from the surrounding level and attaining an altitude which, relatively to the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable.” Merriam-Webster doesn’t do any better: “a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.” Look up ‘hill’ in the same dictionary and you will find that it is described, helpfully, as “lower than a mountain.”
However you define them, mountains are some of the best places to look for snow. For the past two years winter has seemed determined to pass me by. Last year, New York was unseasonably warm and disappointingly snow-free; this year Seattle‘s rain and suggestion of frost has been equally underwhelming so I decided that if winter wouldn’t come to me, I would go to winter. Yesterday, my friend Sylvia and I headed north to the mountains near Granite Pass and there, in all its snowy glory, we found winter. Here are some of the snow-capped peaks that greeted us.
“Mountains have a way of dealing with overconfidence.” – Nemann Buhl
“No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied – it speaks in silence to the very core of your being.” – Ansel Adams
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” – John Muir
Have you seen any soaring summits or peaked pinnacles recently? If you would like to join in the travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Mountains
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
Looking forward to your mountainous post.
xxx
Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
We love mountains!
Yaay for mountains, John! 🙂
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains | Ese's Voice
Love your photos and the theme, Ailsa! 🙂
Much more summer-ish approach of mine is here: http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/travel-theme-mountains/
Ooh, Ese, what wonderful summery mountains, that Norway shot is gorgeous, and where were those mountains in Spain? They are stunning. xxx
Thank you, Ailsa. 🙂
It is Montserrat not far from Barcelona.
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains | A Gringos life in Cusco
Another theme right up my ally, check out my mountain shots at http://agringoslifeincusco.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/travel-theme-mountains/
There is of course a picture of Machu Picchu
Wow, how amazing to have Machu Picchu on your doorstep. Wonderful photos, Lyle! xxx
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains | lena de almeida
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains | LoganBruin–An Unauthorized Autobiography
Oh man, did you ever pick a PERFECT (second probably only to Animals) subject for me this week!! Mountains fill me with such indescribable joy and fulfillment and awe. I’ll get to work!! =)
–Love and Liberation–
Me too, Jan, mountains really speak to my soul. I just saw your first post, absolutely wonderful shots! xxx
Those are chilling in more ways than one! Mine are more sunny. . . http://loganbruin.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/travel-theme-mountains/
Gorgeous, Logan – the red rocks are stunning, but my favourite is the Fountain/Mountain shot, it’s really lovely! xxx
Thought you might like a little Seattle. . . ;o)
Haha, you thought right, Logan 🙂
Beautiful mountain photos Ailsa! So peaceful.
Thanks Broken Light, they really were a wonderful escape from city life. xxx
Fantastic pictures!
Thanks Mark 🙂
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains « To Mother Earth, with Love
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains | StandingStill
The Canadian Rockies will always occupy a special place in my heart: http://cinova.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Wow, cinova, I can see why those mountains have a hold over your heart, I hope you get to revisit them again sometime soon! xxxx
Pingback: Travel Theme: MOUNTAINS part 1 | The Rewild West
This has gotta be one of my favorite pictorials I’ve ever done!! I’m doing it in 2 parts because I have so many mountain pics I love.
http://therewildwest.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/travel-theme-mountains-part-1/
Thanks Ailsa!
–Love and Liberation–
Jan @ TheRewildWest
Stunning, Jan, you’ve seen some amazing mountains. Looking forward to your second post!
Pingback: Travel Theme: Dragon creeping across mountains | Travel with Intent
A wonderful challenge. Mountains are so photogenic! Here are my Chinese offerings: http://travelwithintent.com/2013/02/15/travel-theme-dragon-creeping-across-mountains/
Fabulous series, Debbie, what an amazing holiday that must have been! I would love to see that Great Wall snaking across the mountains. Someday!
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains « Ben Nelson's Photo (Etc) Blog
Love these – beautiful! Here’s mine http://wp.me/p2Cq37-aL
The mountain of mail buckets made me laugh out loud, Ben, love it! That view of the Delaware from the Appalachian Trail is fabulous – have you hiked the trail? That’s supposed to be quite an adventure.
I wish i had, when i took that shot, i was on a hike with a bunch of other men, and did not even keep up, but i am trying to do better. When i was younger, i hiked a bit, but i have not for a long time.
there were a couple hawks drifting around in that spot where i was shooting, but i did not have a good enough lens with me to get any good shots of them sadly.
Thanks for stopping in.
One of my favourite things ….
http://alienshores52.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Oh my goodness, those are some insanely beautiful mountains. I have got to visit New Zealand, I think it would blow my mind. Gorgeous photos, Alien Shores. xxx
Pingback: travel theme: mountains « a nomad in the land of nizwa
These are incredible and I’m trying to remember the time I was completely awed and floored in Yosemite as a teenager. The quotations you chose also make a huge difference to how the photos are perceived … I’m going to have to steal Muir’s to put alongside some of my own mountain pictures.
I haven’t made it to Yosemite yet, but I cannot wait. Muir is a secret hero of mine; he played such an instrumental role in the founding of National Parks and was a true advocate for protecting the environment. Way ahead of the times.
No way! You must, you must. It was the one place that Muir became a shepherd for a spell and climbed the mountains and got “lost” for 10 years in what is now known as his trail (Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks). But you probably know that already. BOOK EARLY for good camp grounds.
Beautiful pictures of snow-covered mountains, Ailsa! 🙂 Here’s mine: http://catbirdinoman.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
These are AMAZING – I am a little giddy with excitement at that photo of Machhapuchhre – that’s the sacred mountain, isn’t it, the one off limits to mountaineers? So beautiful.
Yes, you’re right, Ailsa. That mountain is sacred to the god Shiva and is off-limits to climbing. I’m glad you like them. It was a real treat for me to see them, especially from tropical Pokhara!
Pingback: Photo challenge: mountains | Empressnasigoreng's Blog
Pingback: TRAVEL THEME – MOUNTAINS « Dear Bliary
Pingback: TRAVEL THEME – MOUNTAINS « Dear Bliary
Beautiful Ailsa! And thanks for this challenge. Just the excuse I needed to post some more photos from my recent trip to Tasmania – these ones from Cradle Mountain National Park: http://empressnasigoreng.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/photo-challenge-mountains/
Hurrah, perfect timing, you getting back from Tasmania in time for the Mountain challenge 🙂 What an amazing trip that must have been. I love the name Wombat Pool and that little guy is so cute! I could do without the poisonous snakes though. Ewww.
your pictures are awesome, Ailsa! This is a very old pic. I didn’t realize I have zero mountain photos! Something to work on 🙂
https://firstandfabulous.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/travel-theme-mountains/
Good grief, I can’t believe your friend’s mom climbed Mount Washington at 76. I want to be that zippy when I’m a septuagenarian! I loved your account of making the climb, it made me laugh. 🙂
Fabulous post! Clearly I need to get out more and see my island. After a little research I wanna see our big mountains. Thanx for the assignment and here’s my for all of you to “grade”
http://locagringa.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
What a beautiful post, Loca Gringa – full of wistfulness for the Rockies and yet filled with wonder for the island too. Yes please, go see the big mountains and bring us back photos. I would love to see them.
It’ll be a few months before I can get there. I’m saving that for when my daughter is with me 🙂 But I too am very curious. This country has a very diverse ecosystem. When you think of it’s small size and the size of the island in general, you have an appreciation of it’s wonders. Whereas Canada is so vast diversity is … expected!
Thank you very much for the compliment 🙂
Although we love snowboarding and snowshoeing, we couldn’t wait to leave the grey and damp of Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Thanks for dropping by “Honey.”
There’s only so much grey and dampness a person can stand 😉
really beautiful
Thanks Lv 🙂
Pingback: travel theme: mountains « bob's wife
hi Ailsa, your mountain photos are amazing! please find mine here: http://alwaysbobswife.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Ooh, what a beautiful silhouette, I love how you can even make out the little tufts of grass along the slope, gorgeous!
Bob and i were atop a mountain and i saw this silhouette across from where we were … hence, the capture … but i had to take quite a few shots to get what i really wanted. i just tweaked the effect just once to give the clouds a certain glow that i desired. thank you for such an inspiring pat on the back, Ailsa … much appreciated! —APRIL
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains « Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches
Pingback: All That Rock | The Wanderlust Gene
Now young lady!! You know full well the hills in Ireland don’t qualify to be called mountains!! Where am I going to get something for this week’s challenge?? 😉
I decided they’d just have to do!
Indeed… I’m doing a post as we speak… Wicklow Mountains all of 925 meters tall!! 😉
Ah c’mon Livvy and AJ, us Irish always know how to make a mountain out of a molehill. Am I right or am I right? 😉
Spot on right!!! 😉
Haha, good lad yerself! 🙂
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains « A year in the Life
I’m claiming the hills are mountains! It’s a little difficult for me this week!!! http://ayearinmyshoes.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Too right they are mountains…expecially felt when trekking up them complete with bags of shopping and two children who often tiredly asked ‘Why don’t we live at the bottom, Mummy?’
Oh yah, then their mountains!
….the Dublin/Wicklow mountains, of course!
Ooh, sneaky, getting that Lanzarote shot in there. Beautiful photos, Livvy, that Killarney one is stunning!
Please tell me who this mountain is.
http://mrscarmichael.wordpress.co./2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Mrs. C., your link is busted! It doesn’t say .com, it says .co., and my computer keeps telling me the domain is protected.
Thank you so much – will fix pronto.
Pingback: Travel theme: Mountains | Meg Travels
From Switzerland… http://megtraveling.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Now THAT is a mountain, it seems to go on forever! Lovely shot, Meg 🙂
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains. | the unbearable lightness of being me.
dear ailsa, thanks for this theme… i love it! 🙂 here’s mine: http://greatgreths.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Wow, what a wonderful tour of the mountains, Mount Kinabalu looks stunning. Thanks for taking us on that journey, greatgreths. xxx
Great photos Ailsa, here are mine http://40again.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Dee
Lovely shots, Dee 🙂
Great photos and a great theme….here is my version of “mountains” (all taken in southern Italy)….http://thephotoseye.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
These are wonderful, that first shot is my favourite, so mystical, and that helicopter shot is really cool – were you in a helicopter too taking the shot, or just really high up? xxx
Thank you! I was not in a helicopter – it was one of those moments where I was lucky enough to have my camera in hand (with the right lens) while a helicopter had landed and left and I captured it all!
Pingback: Travel Theme: Mountains | ehkstream
Heh… good one. Thanks Ailsa!
http://ehkstream.org/2013/02/16/travel-theme-mountains/
Beautiful, beautiful shots, I just love the richness of the earth tones in the second Magdalena Mountains shot, and as for the next photo, wow, what an amazing part of the world. xxx
Pingback: Travel Theme Mountains | Le Drake Noir
You have one of the most beautiful mountains in the world on your door step, Mount Rainier.
Where I live .. I’m only 9 meters over the sea level .. not much mountains here .. *smile
Wonderful gallery again .. but I love white soft snow. Somebody has said that snow and friendship – what ever it fall on will be soft.
What a beautiful saying, viveka, snow and friendship, I love it. Yes, you’re right, Mount Rainier is stunning, I am hoping to explore it up close and personal while I’m here. It’s a little too snowy right now to get too far into the park, but soon, hopefully. xxx
I admire it quite often .. when I lived in Victoria,BC – stunning.
Can’t wait to see what your camera have for us .. after return.