Shine On, Shining Mountains

When I first started my week-long backpacking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, I really had no idea what to expect. I had heard incredible stories about people’s experiences in the shining mountainous backcountry of the “Land of Enchantment”, but each account was unique in it’s own way. Come day one of my journey, I began to realize that this entire trip was making out to become something very special! Over the entirety of the trek, I was transformed into a completely different person; the once self-doubting and reserved me gained newfound faith and courage in myself, and I realized that I can truly do anything I put my mind to.

I wrote an essay about this life changing trip a while back, In it, I dedicated my entire introduction to an emotional summary of my experience:

“Never will I forget the vast, beautiful stretch of rolling terrain we traversed through. Never shall I cease to recall the easing silence of the prairies we trekked, save for the gentle chirping of crickets, the faint saunter of a doe, the haunting yet inspiring howl of the brush wolf. Never will I scrub even a portion of this breathtaking adventure from my memory. For this was the greatest experience of my life, the one thing that made me who I am today.”

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. And I really feel this photo is the perfect way to describe that sentiment I felt.

Halfway through our peregrination, my group and I set up camp along a forested area of Mount Phillips and walked over to a rocky ledge to watch the approaching sunset. Along the glistening golden horizon, several long, wispy storm clouds began rolling in, and within minutes, lightning bolts began ricocheting off the rocks below. I had never truly appreciated the raw power and beauty of Mother Nature until that exact moment. It was a true spectacle to be seen. A moment not tradable for anything. I had just witnessed the eighth natural wonder of the world, and never before had I felt more in awe. Inspiration had secured its hold inside me. I grabbed my only camera—my iPhone 4s—and took several shots. As the storm clouds whisked away, I took a look at the pictures I took and was overjoyed when I saw what a gem I had captured!

There’s a famous quote by Native American Chief Seattle: “Take only memories, leave only footprints”. And with this picture, I feel I strongly justified his intent; by taking nothing but pictures and leaving nothing but tracks in the dirt, I have helped preserve both the magical country I traveled for those who follow me, and the ultimate memory of this trip in the form of a single photo.

As I have mentioned earlier, this picture was shot with my iPhone 4s 8 megapixel camera, taken from the top of Mount Philips, a prominent peak belonging to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico. In no way was the snapshot altered or edited; I personally believe that the best version of a photo is in its natural state, for it tells a far more organic and impactful story.

Philmont was truly a life-changing experience that stands out amongst my life’s accomplishments. I haven’t even begun to describe just how poignant of an ordeal this adventure had been! The one thing that comes close enough entailing the true impact of the trip on me is the image I took that night on top of Philips. I aspire for it to serve as an inspiration to those reading to shine on!