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The Quest for Solace
In his quest for solace, most every wayƒarers who lifts a pack, straps it to his back and then takes steps upon the mountain will at some point in his wandering, ascend a
Summit Path. Most summit paths are not for the
weekend warriors, nor the
goofers nor the
turkeys but for the seasoned backpacker, known in these journals as a
thru hiker. Thus, the reason there is only a few who would venture upon this
life journey is that most all of the summit trails afoot take more than a day to ascend and some even take many days, often which involve
camping in many wayside locations along the ascent.
The last camp on the way up just before the final climb to the summit is what I have always called Camp Seven. Too, this camp is normally a short way off the main summit trail, which would insure it has a good water source and is protected from the elements. The side (blue blaze) trail to this camp is one that I have on many occasions given the name of the Camp Seven Path.
Also, after going afoot upon numerous summit trails over the many years of my ascending these mountains, I have seen a similarity of the summit trail ascents in an entirely different approach of pathways. This approach is one that I have come to know due to my personal limitations, limitations that require myself area and/or regions or pathways and because of this, I have divided the summit trail into two separate Galleries, each with their own Pathway.
The two pathways are: (1) The Pathway Afoot and (2) The Pathway Afield.
The Pathway Afoot
Many a wayƒarer will start off his or her wayƒaring afoot by traveling on one or several or the many footpaths journeys that cross this large continent. More often than not, my time spent afoot on these footpath journeys have provided me with insight about how these mountain footpaths can be divided into ten separate pathways.
These separate pathways are oftn in separate ecosystems and/or biomes with each providing their own peculiar challenges and tests upon the abilities of the wayƒarer who ventures thereon.
The following list of these ten separate pathways are in the order of the lowest to highest elevations starting with the lowest first as if climbing from the bottom of the mountain to its summit.
Afoot on the Summit Trail
(1) The Valley Path, (or Road Path)
(2) The River Path,
(3) The Woodland Path,
(4) The Evergreen Path,
(5) The Treeline Path,
(6) The Ridgeline Path,
(7) The Camp Seven Path,
(8) The High Path,
(9) The Summit Path, and
(10) The Descent Path.
One thing that I have learned is that most summit trails have all ten paths. However, a few summit trails may have the High Path and Summit Path combined. Also, depending on whether the wayƒarer is afoot or afield, the camp seven path may be only a very short stop just to put the feet up and rest, which is always good for any who would travel a summit trail.
(images-wayfarers-0-197907w) A Wayƒarer Afoot on the Summit Trail
The Pathway Afield
As a wayƒarer continues upon the quest for solace, the years will begin to encroach upon him and, often, there will come a time when the choice or travel becomes by a means other than afoot. Then, the choice to travel afield begins in the life of this wayƒarer upon taking up travel by means of a four-wheeled home.
When the time in the life of a wayƒarers arrived when his ability to lift a backpack and take to the summit path afoot wanes, however, his Quest for Solace will never cease. So, instead of lifting the backpack and strapping that Burden to his back, he dons this new approach to continue up onto the Summit Trail.
Afield on the Summit Trail
The wayƒarer will, instead carry his Burden in the back of a vehicle, in order for the wayƒarer to continue upon his Quest by driving those Pathway Journeys to those High Places in search for the Way while upon the Places of the Path.
This new means of travel allows the wayƒarer to continue to see the many marvels of God′s creation in its many treasures, and for him to return to see his family and the friends he has made along the way.
(images-b4wheels-1997-2021-0519.2143) A Wayƒarer Afield on the Summit Trail
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