This particular trip was the first time I’d ever really seen Mt. St. Elias. Sure, I’d seen the mountain from the air. But standing, planted on the ground, and having to tilt my head up to see the full frame of this grand old mountain really embeds a sense of its majesty in us. Believe me.

I had been in Icy Bay for a week or so, mostly being rained on. Finally, the weather lifted a little, and began to break up. With each passing minute, it seemed as if this huge mountain was simply forcing the clouds apart, pushing its way through the gray. The view got better and better, and I soon forgot all about the miserable weather I’d had so far on the journey.
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Before too long, the clouds were all but gone, and I was left alone in the presence of greatness. True greatness, like only a mountain can exhibit. But a greatness we can all admire.

The clouds snuck back in overnight. It rained the next 2 days, and then a grizzly bear wandered by camp and destroyed my sea kayak. I flew home early, and when asked how was the trip, all I could say was “absolutely awesome”. And this picture shows 18 009 reasons why.

Black and white photo of Mt. St. Elias, 18 009′ high, from Icy bay, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska.