Journey to the unknown Cross

"Why, then, do you fear to take up the Cross, which is the road to the Kingdom?

 In the Cross is salvation; 

in the Cross is life;

 in the Cross is protection against our enemies; 

in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; 

in the Cross is the strength of mind;

in the Cross is joy of spirit;

in the Cross is excellence of virtue; 

in the Cross is perfection of holiness. 

There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross. 

Take up the Cross, therefore, and follow Jesus, and go forward into eternal life"

 (The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis).

This is an excerpt from my favorite chapter of my favorite book. It's called "On the Royal Road of the Holy Cross" and it truly inspires me. My household on campus is full of women who eagerly strive to carry our crosses in life, and who along with their own struggles help their sisters to carry the crosses they deal with as well. It's a beautiful testament to the suffering of Christ. 

So this weekend, I stayed back in Gaming to save a little money and to do something I have been dying to do since I got to the Kartause. Climb one of the bigger mountains and camp on it... by myself. Now I can already hear my mom hyperventilating and her scolding 'Taylor! That is dangerous' and although many thought I was crazy, I was determined. Plus I knew I'd be absolutely safe. I wasn't hiking when it got dark, I wasn't going too far, I brought plenty of food and water, and there is no way to get lost here (you just keep walking down hill till you get in the valley where the Kartause is)

So with my bag all packed, I started my journey by praying The Way of the Cross according to the method of St. Francis. It's my favorite meditation on the stations, and It was the perfect beginning to my day.

I began hiking the mountain directly behind the Kartause. It's one most people don't hike, as many students choose to climb the mountain with the water fall, or Book Mountain (where you get to sign your name in a book at the top). As I began the ascent, I tried to find an easy route that wouldn't lead my directly up a steep incline. 

Let me tell you, after about a half hour of trying to find an easy way up, I realized that this wasn't going to be easy. I turned and headed straight up the mountain. Now those of you who do not know the Yosemite Decimal System, let me explain. There are 5 classes of climbing.

Class 1: trail walking uphill. 

Class 2: still a bit of a trail, but there might thick brush or climbing over and around fallen trees, occasinal hand usage for balance.

Class 3: considered 'scrambling' basically, you look like a small and very drunk squirrel moving from tree to tree practically crawling up the side of a mountain.

Class 4: needs rope, but no need for extreme protection

Class 4: rope, and protection needed.

So guess what I was? That's right a mix between a drunken squirrel and debating whether or not I should be using rope. Okay, it wasn't that steep but it was quite the hike and I quickly adopted a large branch to be my walking stick. I always made fun of people you used walking sticks... I never will again. That little guy saved me from a nasty slip many times.

So I was enjoying the peace and quiet of nature, and also some Mumford and Sons. The walk was pretty tiring, since I was walking up hill the whole time and even when I stopped for water I had to hold myself in place in front of a tree. I walked for about 3 hours, hoping with every look back that I would have a great view. Finally the trees cleared and I could tell I was at the top. The Alps were HUGE and went on forever,  I tried to take pictures but they don't capture the feeling I had seeing them sprawled out.

I found a nice grassy place and set up my tent, although it wasn't very flat, it was the best I could do. I took out my dinner (Spar meat sticks and an orange) and St. Teresa of Avila's book The Interior Castle. I couldn't help but smile to myself about how awesome my tent looked out on the mountain!

I sat and read and stared out at the mountains. It was serene, and absolutely quiet. For a while I did this until I got chilly and I put on my sweat shirt and sweat pants and crawled into my sleeping bag. I couldn't wait for the sun to set so I could see the stars. However, one more adventure was needed. Just as it was getting dark, I decided to go explore. Since I hadn't yet peered over the other side of the mountain I had climbed, I figured I should, just to make sure I really was at the top. So after about 20 feet i could see more mountains. I was surrounded by mountains!! Just as I was about to turn back, I saw the Cross. My heart skipped a beat. All the way up here! A cross! I couldn't help but think of the line from my favorite chapter in The Imitation of Christ 

"The Cross always stands ready, and everywhere awaits you. You cannot escape it, wherever you flee; for wherever you go, you bear yourself, and always find yourself.

I immediately said the consecration prayer my household always says, ending my day at the foot of His Cross. The sun set and the sky was a light pink and I sat under the cross enjoying this last little surprise.

Camera's can never capture a starry night sky quite the way you would want. Believe me, though, the view from the top of a mountain of the stars is unbelievable. I've never seen that many. After gazing out for what seemed like forever, I attempted to fall asleep. My sleeping bag kept me very warm so I did not suffer from the cold (it was only 45) at all. I did not, however, get a good night sleep. Between slipping down hill, finding large lumps under the tent, and having my arm fall asleep, I was up most of the night. When I was asleep, I was having strange dreams of hunters shooting at me. Anyways, before I knew it it was 7am, and I packed up and prepared for my descent. 

Now one may think, "Oh, going down! Finally a break." However, it is not a break. It is worse than going up. I would choose scrambling up a mountain than scrambling down a mountain any day of my life. I have callouses from gripping my hiking stick, and I have many scratches from slipping down. I walked through a very dense area, only to discover I felt like Snow White being attacked by the forest. I desperately wanted to  see any sign that I was getting close. Finally, I could see through the trees a sign of the bottom!

The only upsetting thing was I didn't see the Kartause, and didn't recognize the town. I knew it had to be Gaming, but I was just longing to see the Church steeple rise above the trees. I caused a couple minor land slides, some with rocks, and some with me included in the rocks. After only 2 hours i finally hit a trail I recognized! As I walked down it, I could barely see through the trees the unmistakable orange and white of the Kartause. I have never been so happy to see that place!!

So with my hike complete, I took a much needed shower, and now I think I will take a much deserved nap.
It was a beautiful hike and I loved having some time to myself. It was a reminder to push myself daily and to carry my crosses no matter how steep they might seem.

" If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For who ever will save his life shall lose it: and who ever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

 (Matthew 16:24-25)