(Mount Everest base camp, Nepal | mkslalove Google Maps)
Thick milky white clouds obscured the snow-capped mountain. Whistling winds buffeted the fluorescent tents housing intrepid mountaineers eager to summit 8,848 meters of imperial splendour. Resembling the mournful howls of a pack of scheming wolves, the wind cut like ice whenever they found an opportunity to escape the protective clothing of the climbers before making contact with a patch of exposed skin.
Holding a mug of steaming soup in her gloved hands, Ashita stared intensely in the direction of her destination. As far as the eye could see there was an explosion of white. Clouds, Snow, Ice.
“Why such an obsessive passion towards mountains?” Venky had once asked her.
“It was and never will be an obsession.” Ashita replied thoughtfully. “Mother Nature issues a clarion call to her children to assimilate themselves in her beauty, to absorb her lessons and admire her workings. I just obey.”
True that.
This has been an edition of What Pegman Saw
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I do believe, it is true. 🙂
I like the way you move from a description of Everest Base Camp to the personal experience of Ashita, making us witnesses of her innermost feelings about mountains. Well done!
Thank you so very much!
An interesting piece of writing showing a real feel for the subject. Thanks. 😊
Thanks Much!
Penny said what I wish I’d said. Exactly that. I also love how the not her choice to climb the mountain but rather she is called to it.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Strong forces at work here. That is not your everyday calling.
Great scene-setting. Love “the mournful howls of a pack of scheming wolves. “. It seems to imply that the wind has an nefarious agenda.
If you will forgive the intrusion into your process, i will admit that the part starting with “whenerever”was a little confusing. Maybe you meant winds, not wind? Also, “escape” suggests that the wind(s) were somehow inside the climbers clothing and trying to get out, rather than vice versa.
Sorry to nitpick. Lovely mood and message otherwise.
Thank you so much for your erudite and enlightening comments! Makes me improve constantly.
Apparently, I’m not erudite enough, to not have to look up the word “erudite!” 😊