My heart races and my eyes snap open. A gentle wind from the north whispers in my ear. The mountains are calling. The trickling creeks between the crags wash my cares away, and I find inspiration in the ever‑changing shadows of the forest. Each sunrise greets me with a new adventure, and in the darkness of night, solitude settles over everything like a blanket.
The school ended, and my junior summer was upon me. I assumed this would be my last family trip into the Rocky Mountains… I wasn’t going to waste a second! I packed my best gear and headed north to visit my favorite spots one last time.
We arrived in Colorado, and I gathered a few friends to show them my discoveries within the mountains. All of them were excited to join me—except one. We left him behind in the safety of the campground and began our ascent on foot.
We climbed upward by hand, through dangerous paths to explore my old forts, abandoned cabins, and the endless wildlife. We crossed rivers and streams and almost got lost along the way… so I led them to believe. It was a wonderful time.
Upon our descent, we found something I had not expected. A sudden, desperate cry echoed through the mountains. The friend we left behind had tried to follow us. He was stuck on a ledge, his clothes soiled like a miner.
We quickly moved toward him. Using the roots of the trees jutting from the cliffside, I climbed down. With tear‑filled eyes he thanked me, and together we safely descended. Later, I asked him why he’d followed us. He simply replied, “The mountains were calling.”
There is one character in the LOTK series who was left behind and later rescued. In their journey, they were forced to climb mountains they once thought impossible. Yet in their struggles, lessons were learned and new strengths forged. Let’s descend into their story together.
"If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up."
Psalms 94:18
