Wednesday, January 15, 2014

On Reaching El Cajon Summit

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"You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place ? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know." -- Rene Daumal

Hiking is one of the enriching and inspiring activities I and hubby do together. We do longer hikes on weekends, and short hikes on weekdays. We always plan our travels centered around exploring nature's wonders, where the greatest artwork and beauty could be found. Thankfully for us, our love for nature and photography inspires us to keep fit and take care of our health. I can't stress more than enough the benefits of hiking on one's health and fitness. So our backs, arms and legs won't hurt from all the weight we carry when we hike, we do a lot of stretches everyday! Aside from stretching, we do other exercises at home to improve our strength, flexibility and endurance. We aim to be hiking as long as we could, for there are just so many beautiful places to explore and be awed by nature.

Thankfully, San Diego is littered by so many mountains in its backyard to serve as our outdoor gym and local training for more strenuous outdoor adventures when we explore other places. Reaching the summit is always a celebration for us, of finding what is above. We do all sorts of more fun activities instead of turning around right away. After all, we deserved a much needed break at the summit since we hiked 5.5 miles with a climb of 4100 ft to the top. Round trip hike is 11 miles, which meant, we needed to hike another 5.5 miles on our return. Unlike most other hikes, where the return would be downhill, El Cajon Summit hike is an up and down hike. We still needed to conquer some steep uphill climbs in our return.

So, what are some more fun activities we do at the summit? Boulder scrambling! We love to conquer rocks, and rocks do bring out the child in us. But probably, more obvious in one of us, who do you think strike a better pose bringing out the better child within? Haha!

Is it me?...., I was making thumbs up sign for a great hike!

Or is it hubby? He said he needed that much rest after 5.5 mile hike and climbing 4100 ft to the summit, so that he could hike back the same mileage in an up and down steep trail.

Can I beat hubby's pose? Let me try again!  :)

If I had a second pose, so did hubby.  :)

~so, who do you think has the better pose and the better child between the two of us? haha! ~

PS.....all pictures above were taken by iPhone. We had to scramble to the top of another rock to get these shots showing the vastness of the topography below us. It was a lot easier scrambling to the top of rock with an iPhone. 
♥♥
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20 comments:

  1. i love these! It is also interesting each of your "poses" when you reach the top!

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  2. ....and the grand winner for me is.....Angels Landing!!! hahahahaha please tell Khai I super duper love his resting pose hahahahha...:D gee the quote says it all...the happiness of getting to the summit! keep taking us there...virtually for now...love yah! :)

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  3. That looks like fun, but I'm afraid of going up on high places, even the little ones.

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  4. i agree with zen, that resting pose is unbeatable! hehehehe! happy weekend wandering again to you and angels. mwahugs! :)

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  5. Blue sky. I'm singing - what a wonderful world.

    Fun times. Happy weekend! :)

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  6. That is absolutely amazing! What a wonderful summit.

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  7. It is so nice that you and your husband both enjoy such a healthy and worthwhile activity.

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  8. 5.5 miles hike just going up and times 2 when go down, thats a lot of walking wow! wish my husband and I can do that too, anyway I would just enjoy looking at your photos which can make feel I hiked too lol

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  9. Your iPhone takes good pictures. Your story and pictures makes me wish sometimes that I lived near hills and mountains like those.

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  10. Hiking and Mountain Climbing is one of the things I havent tried and seems like a good for bonding with family. Hope to try it soon.

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  11. It really looks like you and your husband have fun on your hikes and you are both in great shape to hike 11 miles!

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  12. You really enjoyed your time over those boulders, good and very fresh, I think.

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  13. that resting place is breathtaking, it must be a wonderful feeling and be on top of everyone when you sit and just watch those overlooking place, i love your hubby's pose the best...thanks for sharing sis.

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  14. No ifs and buts... your hubby's resting pose takes the cake. :-)

    For someone as 'lampa' as me, I wonder how I'll fare climbing up the boulders.

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  15. It must feel so amazing to reach the top. How cool is it that you can see so much where you were. I think your husband won the "child in me" contest between your photos.

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  16. bringing an iphone is perfect! those shots are amazing looking at the view is just breathtaking! both of you can be a good model

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  17. You really are a workhorse BetChai... hiking for 5.5 mile and climbing 4100 ft to reach the mountain apex. Wow!!! di ko kaya yun. I love your first photo..

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  18. You both are so funny and adventurous Sis :-) The view is spectacular :-) I'd probably left behind if I go for a hike with you guys :-) I need stamina :-)

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  19. My golly, another elevated success Ate, I wish I could do trekking as much as you do!

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  20. Your hubby's first pose was EPIC! Love it!

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!