(Reflection of Christopher Russo, Assistant Superintendent in Portland and Reynolds and currently the Director of the American School of Asuncion, Paraguay.)
I have always found peace and focus while climbing or hiking in the mountains. I've been been a climber for a long time, and have been up many different mountains and cliffs, each one providing a sort of meditative peace.
On the cover is a picture my buddy took in 1997 while we were at around 15k feet in Nepal hiking the Annapurna Trail. That's me heading back down. This picture was taken just south of the base camp after a blizzard hit (my other buddies are the small people in front!). You know when you have those moments that are forever fixed in your mind--well this is one of them. I remember it vividly and on many hikes and climbs I've tried to find that same thrill/feeling.
I thought I would share it. Life is full of adventure and beautiful places....
You hiked the Annapurna Sanctuary—a much harder hike than the Circuit.