Being from the South Pacific, we are well versed in the volatile volcanic “ring of fire” that encircles the greater Pacific, and which acts as both creator and destroyer of landscapes. Evidence of this geological phenomenon is everywhere up and down the Pacific Northwest coastline, like frames from a stop-motion animation.
The most recent action is of course to be found at Mount Saint Helens, the scene of a spectacular demonstration of mother nature’s impressive firepower. On a clear, calm morning in May 1980, an earthquake triggered a massive landslide on the north west face of the mountain. Intense pressure from the underlying magma had been bulging out the side of the mountain for weeks, adding up to five vertical feet to the mound each day.
The volcanologists, reporters and campers in the area prescribed to the prevailing wisdom of the day that mountains explode upwards, not outwards. Saint Helen had other ideas and wrote a new chapter in our knowledge by exploding violently sideways, sending blasts of gas, rock, ash and lahars across the valley at unprecedented speeds. Forty seven souls bore witness to the event but never survived to tell their tales. Walking through the acres of hummocks strewn through the valley floors, you can literally be standing on what used to be the mountain top, and try to imagine the horror and awe of that day.
Sobered, we move south to explore other geological wonders born from extreme violence. The most unique of these is Crater Lake, whose collapsed caldera creates the deepest lake in America at 1,949 feet (595 meters). Rainfall, combined with more than forty feet of annual snowfall fill the void with unbelievably clear water. The resultant hues range from iridescent blues on the shorelines through to the inky black of the depths.
Having a Scott in our party, we are obligated to launch a mission up Mount Scott, which rises over the eastern rim. Winding up through the pumice filled valleys we summit the 8,934 feet (2,723 meters) and soak up the panoramic views over the lake, and the Shasta – Trinity ranges to the south. Smoke from active forest fires renders the rolling terrain in blue chromatic layers.
The true adventurists hike the Pacific Crest Trail, which traverses for thousands of miles down the western side of the continent, from Washington to Mexico. Lean, ragged and sun tanned from weeks, or months on the trail, this mobile community on personal quests stands out starkly from the comfort campers, who are largely living their Netflix lives from the cocoon of their oversized fifth-wheelers.
We are bi-pedal; born to move and evolved over millions of years to efficiently ambulate. Wherever you are right now, take some time to get outside and immerse yourself in the precious few zones that humans have not developed to death. Breathe clean air, swim in clear waters and remind yourself what life is intended to be.
Light Your Fire! 