After A Glacier

By On · Add Comment · In Meditation, Qi Gong Seattle

I am sitting near Wall Lake in the Wind River range (part of the Rockies) in Wyoming. It’s day 4 of a 6-day backpack. We came off- trail to get here today and there are no other humans here. I am in an incredibly gorgeous lake basin near Wall Lake. I’ve lost count of how many spectacular glacier-carved lakes we have seen. Somewhere more than a dozen.

The Wind River range crosses the Continental Divide and there was a moment yesterday where we were standing in a spot where water flows each direction on either side of us. The wild beauty, and spectacular pristine balance of all the elements is breathtaking.

Our trailhead was at 9450 feet of elevation and we have meandered between 10,300 and 11,400 feet for most of the trip. Glaciers once covered the area. They have left peaks of 12,000 to nearly 14,000 feet completely surrounding a landscape dotted with very small ponds or lakes (tarns) up  to incredibly huge lakes nearly a mile and a half long. Wall Lake that I am sitting just north and east of is that mile and half long lake.

Surrounding me are mountains that are mostly above treeline. There are a few clumps of spruces here and there giving a respite from the wind and protection to set up a camp. The rock is an amazing matrix of numerous shades of gray, black, orange-reddish, golden with some amazing streaks of green and purple. The basins have an air of magnificence and a spectacular wild austere beauty. The peaks are jagged with names like Harrower, Elephant Head, Sacajawea, and the two tallest:  Fremont Peak and Gannett.

The rock hugging the streams and sensously arising from the lakes in islands, isthmuses, scattered droppings of boulders and long rounded humps are so beautiful I just want to carress them.

The union of water and rock

We are camping high on a long rounded arm reaching curiously out into Wall Lake towards a group of islands that smoothly scatter themselves over the water like pieces of popcorn half submerged. The lake bends and has isthmuses of rounded rock snaking out into the glassy dark blue water. They remind me of blobs of cookie dough.

 

The creek flows

 

 

Today is a layover day and we have been communing with the gorgeous creek dropping from lake 10,488 into Wall Lake at 10, 460. There are so many lakes they are named by their elevation. The backside of Harrower Peak is to my right and Mt. Lester to my left. The water is flowing down a beautiful creek bed of orangish-tan-grayish-red rock in waterfalls gurgling and roaring it’s way to Wall Lake.

 

 

 

The glaciers carved out an incredible place on our planet. Pristine harmony of bright fiery sun, clear deep lakes, rushing streams, rounded and jagged rocks, golden grasses, willow, spruce and incredibly hardy and delicate wild flowers. Asters, fireweed, paintbrush, all in peak bloom. This incredible balance of austere harshness and delicate wild beaty supports life. Moose, elk, marmots, grizzly bear, pine martens, and a stunning array of birds and ground dwellers like chipmunks, mice, pika and squirrels.

Life supports Life

I have so much gratitude for the amazing opportunity to observe two moose feeding on willows on Day One. We also saw a group of elk run speedily by and a pinemarten  rush into some brush on the hillside above our lunch spot. The American Dippers part fly and part walk alongside the creek pausing to do some squats at the edge before taking off again. Marmots and pika scamper amongst the rocky creeks munching on wildflowers.
Nature always finds balance even in harsh settings. Respect for balance is key. We have all these elements (fire, water, wood, metal and earth) within and around us. Do you truly know this? Daily?
Humans are the most fragile species on our planet. We can only survive in a very narrow window of conditions. Will we as a species make the changes necessary to live in communion with the elements that support us and all other species? Will we recognize we are one and the same? Will we allow those places of harsh delicateness to speak forth and bring us to actions that allow us to truly thrive together in harmony?

Winds & Water Qi Gong

I practiced Qi Gong high on a rock overlooking Wall Lake with a quarter moon in the late afternoon blue sky surrounded by puffy clouds. We saw the alpenglow fade from pink to red to mauve over the jagged peaks with a delicate pastel echo of light on the water. Now the quarter moon lights a silhouette of peaks overlooking glassy waters. I can still make out some lumps of rounded rock.
The roar of the creek, the silent light of the moon outlining the glacial erratic boulders scattered around me, the light musical score of the wind through the few spruces, the warmth of the solid rock beneath me, and the tens of thousands of stars bursting forth in their subtle twinkling glory all feed my soul.

Abundant Serenity

Ahh…..my heart sings with the wonder of abundant serenity. Gratitude for Life.
Carrie Lafferty, PT, GCFP (cm) can be found at http:www.,movementfromwithin.net, feldychi@comcast.net or 206-459-1773. Join an upcoming class or workshop at Feldenkrais and Qi Gong in Seattle.