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? 
great quotes about mountains! and certainly cute definitions of it too. here, we have the tallest hill, but not a mountain. but everything is relative. Even a hill, in my state, i hike it like a mountain and try to enjoy it like a mountain. Even a hill, it offers the same peace and i sense its quiet power the way i feel for a mountain.
I agree, Paula, hills and mountains, they’re all fantastic! 🙂
This is great stuff, Ailsa. I am glad I have found your blog! I am new to the blogging world, and it is always great to find something unique to read. Keep it coming!
Hello Johannes and welcome to the blogosphere 🙂 Very happy you found my little old travelogue. 🙂
Hi this is my first entry! enjoy it!
This is mine: http://adsach.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/travel-theme-mountains/
Gorgeous shots of those snowy peaks, gianna! 🙂
Thanks! What is really gorgeous is Mother Nature 🙂
Agreed, she’s pretty special, isn’t she? 🙂
Hi Ailsa, just been doing some homework on various blogging topics and wondered if you had considered doing a badge for the Weekly Travel Challenge? I’d be glad to display it with a permanent link to your page. It should increase traffic for you if we all display it. Just a thought. Personally, I wouldn’t have a clue how to go about making one!!!! Sorry, maybe google can help with that though:) Blessings Karen
That’s a great idea, Karen, I shall google it to see how best to do it. Thanks a million for the suggestion. 🙂
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Ooh, how lovely, Rosa, that top photo made me clap my hands in glee, and I adore the burst of colour in the bottom shot. 🙂
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Spectacular pictures. Here is my just in time contribution – I must stop working weekends! http://thegingerbreadcafe.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/travel-theme-mountains/
Gorgeous, you just brought back some great memories of learning to snowboard in Austria, I love it. Yes, you must stop working weekends! 🙂
I invite you to walk with me up Turkey’s Kar Tepe Mountain: http://lonnalisawilliams.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/walk-with-me-to-turkeys-kar-tepe-mountain/
What a wonderful trip, Lonna, I love those misty forest photos! 🙂
Thanks. Do you plan to come to Kocaeli, Turkey?
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Great quotes.
Thanks 🙂
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Marvelous photos you have chosen for this theme!!!
Here is my entry! ENJOY!
http://www.ceephotography.com/2013/02/22/travel-theme-mountains/
What an array of stunning mountains, Cee, but boy, Colorado’s Twin Peaks are amazing. I can see why it’s your favourite photo. 🙂
Gorgeous mountain shots Ailsa! Since i don’t have that many, perhaps this symbolic one will do 🙂
What a lovely post, Madhu, the photos are mesmerizing and I love the story. xxx Ailsa 🙂
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Love your mountains. Thanks for visiting and the like of my post “Snow Crystals”.
Love the dictionary comparisons. Hilarious!
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking my post.
Here is a view of mountains seen in Sri Lanka –
Breathtaking! Especially the bottom image-I grew up near Colorado and the Rockies are truly magnificent-then on to Vermont with the Green Mountains which after seeing the Rockies seemed like foothills-but no less impressive-no matter where, they are always an awe-inspiring sight-
This blog is a wonderful inspiration to travel and to climb yet another mountain. Just on my way to the tallests of them all…
Keep up the good job.
Michael
Oh how exciting, Michael, I just followed you to keep up with your adventures! So pleased to make your e-acquaintance! 🙂 Ailsa
I also like the mountains 🙂
Beautiful pictures and nice post!
I like looking at mountains, especially lit up with snow, but prefer the seaside. Do you think one is either a mountain or beach person at heart?
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I lived in Guatemala for a year and I so appreciate you doing this blog, I am following you now…