August 16-Feat Over Fear

Climbing up the exposed face of Moro Rock with steep drop offs on each side and the Great Western Divide reaching out into the horizon beyond and reaching the peak of the granite dome, my heart fluttered with excitement and joy, having overcome my fear of heights to access the stunning 360-degree panorama all around.

When deciding whether to take this trail in the Great Forest Area of Sequoia National Park just off The Generals Highway, I knew that the feat would pose a challenge due to my rather significant vertigo. However, lured by the promise of the breathtaking scenery awaiting me as I rose above the trees, I decided I would rather try to make it to the top and fail than not try because I might fail.

Hiking up the 350 stone and concrete steps following the contours of the massive rock, I focused on looking at the solid ground below me, putting one foot in front of the other, and holding on to the waist-high railing beside me, eventually becoming comfortable enough to gaze out at the series of enormous peaks and valleys surrounding me.

As the dark, more forested area of the lower slopes receded behind me, I wound my way upwards 300 feet in elevation, straddling the rock face sideways between narrow crevices in the granite, and dipping my head beneath low-lying overhangs to reach the bare viewing platform at the summit.

With the cool wind in my face, the sun on my back, and happiness in my heart, I gazed at the ripples of jagged, irregular ridges reaching out into the distance, the furthest ones almost appearing blue in the hazy sky above. What an amazing day on the road.