Watching mountains

Travelled together map in hand
The day explored
The joy of mountains
The challenge of height

Marching through trees
Climbing steadily upwards
No view to see or savour
Just the vision of hope

The ascent begins in earnest
The crook between
The saddle of the hill
The single gap between two

Skirting round, finding feet
Sloppy and slippery
The wind whistles wildly
Singing its own song

Onwards and upwards
Keep on moving, talking
Pushing and pulling
Tendons screaming stop

Summit summited
Rest accepted with relief
Panoramas preserved
Camera pointed memories saved

The light continuously changing
Loch Linnie ripples with shadows
The Ben clean and clear
Nothing to spoil the views

As I look across the tops
Watching the mountains
Names unpronounceable
But days and moments not forgotten