Huang shan gui lai bu kan shan." 4

[johnhuangshan]

I stopped by a dock ten steps away, an effort which felt like forever. Breathing deeply, I meditated; eyes closed, recomposed myself, and allowed nature to take over. Five minutes must have slipped by because my friends have gone ahead. I was alone now. I don't know what got into me but I just smiled, felt wonderful about the silence, the air becoming familiar, filling my lungs with renewed wisdom.
When I opened my eyes, there it was--the mountain as clear as day, the mist surrounding it serving only to adorn its already beautiful mystique. Then the pre-noon sky threatened to shower again. I got up and prepared for the final battle.
I found my footing back in place for the next ten minutes then felt lead again. But I was able to buy time and the gentle rain washed off my collected sweat, refreshing my confidence--making the ascent less unbearable this time. Then I hear noises. I finally reached the halfway stopover!
It was time to replenish--bottled water has never tasted so good, chocolates are a real delight, and anything that touches my hand and stems my hunger turns to gold. Fifteen minutes and it's back to the hiking trail. Only this time it is a guided trek and the paths less steep, thankfully. And the views are marvelous--the fogs serve as curtains hiding-revealing the impossible rock-and-tree landscapes that inspired so many Chinese paintings--they turned out to be real!