On Top of the World

“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.”

Barry Finlay, Kilimanjaro and Beyond

It was a unique day. Not only did we encounter new places but also changed inside. At the beginning, we barely believed in our possibilities. The top seemed so distant and grand, powerful and untouchable. But once you make the first step ― you cannot resist a magic pull, which drives you ahead. Mountains always lure us with irresistible magnetism to walk deeper in their beauty. 

Our ‘everlasting’ trip started in the forest. It was magic to walk through eternal trees, which were casting long shadows on the ground, full of colorful flowers. I still remember how happy I was to walk through those woods. With every single step my happiness increased. We had been walking for two hours when the ground suddenly became stony and slippery. It was challenging to get used to the rocks for the next three hours. Tired but pleased, we finally reached our cottage. 

Climbing to the very top was the most challenging. Without any special equipment, few times we were on the verge of death. But we defeated our fears and kept on moving. I remember my coworker told me: “That’s where the true life begins”. When you hike the mountains and see how small people look on the ground, you start realizing how trivial your daily problems are.

Reaching Triglav was in no way an easy thing to do but it was definitely worthy. Not for a second did I regret my trip.  Above the clouds, with pure beauty around us and more than three thousand steps behind us, we were truly happy.

Author: Marta Marchuk