a rare find

The backpacking trip was wonderful, and...quite an adventure. They don't call Mt Washington home of the worst weather in America for nothing. Up on the summit, we found ourselves in 30-45 mph winds with gusts up to 60+, 1/4 inch of new snow, then freezing rain, hail and an ice storm, visibility about from my face to my outstretched hand, sheets of ice pellets coming at us at 40mph, temps hovering around 31-32 with wind chill about 14 degrees...on July 1! Thankfully, the weather got better as we descended, and Forest was a total trooper and enjoyed the heck out of the trip, first-day's weather notwithstanding. He's quite a kid. The scenery was incredible, and the experience...totally unforgettable.

I'll get all the pictures and a full description up sometime soon, but in the meantime, a few quick samples:

a lull in the ice storm
the mountain (next day, better weather)
cliff climbing
three hikers
waterfall view
light and shadow

But in the meantime, on a totally separate note (kind of), but still involving rare experiences and dramatic extremes, I just found out that my Lovely Housemate Paul has an original copy of Andrew Chumbley's rare QUTUB, his poetry and magickal writings on the Opposer Formula and in part and particular, Melek Ta'us. Very much yum. It's hard to believe I've just not discovered/remembered that this book was in the house all along, but well, there's always a reason things turn up when they do.

He who is illuminated with the Brightest Light will cast the Darkest Shadow / He who is illuminated with the Darkest Shadow will shine with the Brightest Light