Above the Clouds, Below My Expectations

Everyone told me I'd find clarity up there. 6,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by nothing but white cotton and silence. I spent three hours climbing through fog so thick I couldn't see my own feet. My lungs burned. My legs shook. When I finally broke through, the view was everything Instagram promised—endless clouds stretching toward the Pacific. But standing there, gasping and alone, I realized something nobody mentions: you bring yourself everywhere you go. Even above the clouds. The problems I hiked up to escape were still there, just with better lighting. My anxiety didn't evaporate at altitude. The view was stunning. I still felt small. Sometimes the most honest thing about a perfect moment is admitting it wasn't enough. #Travel #HikingReality #MountainTruth