The Mist Rose Too High Up

The mist spread menacingly to about halfway up Mt. Rainer. It grew thicker and rose all the way up the mountain shortly into my ascent. On this particular chilly November day in 1980, I, Jean, could barely see to hike the treacherous cliffs here in the beautiful Cascades mountains in Washington State.

When I would hike on a clear day, the climb was fairly simple. On this particular day, I explored off the beaten path because that is what my soul has always preferred to do when under duress. I felt free and natural in the most isolated and contemplative natural place I could find. I felt in need of its solitude.

My plan backfired though.With a view of the snowcapped mountaintop straight ahead of me, I walked along the picturesque path leading to it. As I walked on its trail with my backpack on, I picked yellow wildflowers and white alpine flowers and enjoyed their fragrance.

As I ascended the mountain about an hour up the trail, it became more difficult to see where I was stepping because the mist now arose to the mountaintop and was growing thicker.I lost my footing! Terror struck me as I slipped off the edge of the cliff rapidly.

After what seemed an eternity, I grabbed onto a ledge and screamed out for help, but to no usefulness. I found myself dangling by my two arms. I regretted not telling anyone where I had gone. My arms felt such weight pulling at the sockets, I thought they would snap. I raised one leg to the nearest precipice, but as I did there was a sharp blow to my head as it struck into the ledge.

Struggling to continue to hang on, I thought of how much I wanted to get back up. I wanted so much to survive and live. I gathered up the last of my strength and pulled my other leg to complete safety atop the cliff. I had gotten one foothold and then the other onto the nearest ledge. There was a series of bedrock that led to safety and back to the existence. Eventually, I calmed down.

I had always survived mistakes in life, but what would make this one time different is for some reason I learned that my biggest mistake was to think I could always save myself in any circumstances. This mistake was more grave than any I had made before and had almost cost me my life.

I stumbled slowly back down the trail. As I collapsed in the car, I almost fainted from the concussion. My forehead was bloody, but I survived. I was so happy to be alive and thanked God.The descent to the bottom of the mountain after I survived the fall was anti-climactic to the panoramic view of the mountains that I witnessed before the mist had grown so thick that it had turned into an obscure fog.

I have learned through experiences such as this that I really do need to depend on God and on some people's help in order to attain my goals. Previously, I had led my life more like "a rolling stone that gathers no moss."

Many times since this miracle when the mist rose too high up, I called upon God and a few good friends, and there was help.

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