To gaze at impassive mountains or better still to stand on the summit of any mountain peak is a rare privilege, an opportunity to rise above life’s mundane complications, the anxieties and the frustrations. The wilderness especially mountains have always held a special allure. They are at once a source of energy, a haven for reflection and a testing ground for human stamina. We are enticed by the adventure they offer, completely amazed by their sheer scope and inspired by their immovable grandeur.
North America has a vast variety of mountains including snow-capped mountains, giant ranges of rocks, rolling hills and mystic volcanoes on tropical islands. North America, the world’s largest continent includes all Caribbean and American countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States as well as Greenland, the world’s largest island.
Mt. Mckinley popularly known by its native name Denali is the highest peak in North America rising 20,320 feet or 6,194 meters. It is located in the Alaska Range in the US state of Alaska. A range is a group or chain of mountains that are close together. The longest and most extensive range in North America is the Rocky Mountains stretching north-south from Canada to Mexico. Mt Mckinley is a huge mass carpeted with fresh white mantles of snow. It is flanked by five gargantuan glaciers and a myriad of icefalls. It dwarfs the deep sky as far south as Cook Inlet and as far north as Fairbanks. Its precipitous slope rises 17,000 feet in twelve miles. Five soaring ridges extend from the top. Mt. Mckinley is a conveniently accessible high mountain location but bad weather or worse an avalanche have resulted in futile attempts to scale the mountain.
The White Mountains are the outdoor recreation capital of north New Hampshire. They are part of the Appalachian Mountains, a range of long ridges extending 1600 north-south miles from Quebec to Georgia. The White Mountains, a cluster of ancient mountains, attract mountaineers, rock climbers, skiers, kayakers particularly hikers. White Mountains encompass acres of forested terrains, hundreds of cascading waterfalls, a number of magnificent lakes and miles of crystal clear streams and brooks.
Colorado in the United States has the highest concentration of high mountains known as the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the lower 48 states. The Colorado Mountains feature famous resorts such as Aspen, Vail and Steamboat Springs. Snow blankets the mountains from December through May. Wildlife abound including black bear, mountain lion and bighorn sheep.
The Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina is the coolest place to head off to get away from the sweltering heat of summer. The Great Smoky Mountains, a national park, cover 800 miles. Whitewater rafting, hiking trails and golf holes beckon vacationers.
Pico de Orizaba, a dormant volcano, is the highest peak in Mexico. Its steep snow-covered cone envelops the sky from the town of Orizaba. An incredible panorama from high on the mountain spreads out. The best way to get there is thru Cordoba-Coscomatepec. A cabin devoid of facilities awaits climbers. The best time to climb the mountain is at night.
Tajumulco in Guatemala is a charmingly shaped volcano that constitutes the highest elevation in Central America and the Caribbean. It is easy to climb taking only around three hours to reach the summit. Once atop the peak on a clear day, the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean unfolds in all their glory.
Popocatepetl is a volcano with thickly-forested slopes, a snow-capped cone and a large crater. It is the second highest peak in Mexico towering 18,405 feet. The word “popocatepetl” is Aztec for smoking mountain. Its last major eruption was in 1947.
Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic is the highest mountain in the Caribbean. It is a mountain covered with pine trees and has twin summits. Pico Duarte lies within the Parque Nacional J. Armanda Bermundez.
An exquisite arc of wind-blown snow rises ahead as the liberating emptiness of the mountains swirl. Reaching the summit, an incredible panorama of snow peaks floating in cloud-filled valleys spreads out. Soaking up the view, a calm elusive sensation passes through the body. Ah……. It just feels so good to be “on top of the world”.