The vortex in Guardsman Pass
In my lifetime so far, and especially over the last twenty years or so, I have come to the belief that on this earth there are concentrated energies that emanate from very special places. These are usually from places in the natural world, formed over a millenia, that have caused me to break down emotionally in tears of joy and wonder. That is the best way I can describe it. I call these places vortexes.
I first felt this on the Serengeti plains of Kenya, after weeks of volunteer work buildings schools in the slums, and seeing a herd of elephants look me in the eye as they passed. Being on Diamond Head Beach in Iceland, walking amongst icebergs washed up on the black sands as seals played just beyond reach in the cold ocean’s surf. Long distance hiking in the United Kingdom, seeing Steel Rigg and the Sycamore Gap, and Rannoch Moor along Scotland’s infamous West Highland Way. The black lake in the Peruvian Amazon is another example.
These places had such power as to break me down and cry uncontrollably with joy. I release all that was holding me back in my life at that point, and a way to reconcile with past regrets and mistakes.
Although I have felt this in a few places in the United States ( many of our National Parks), I was surprised to find that during my summer up here in Utah to be hit so hard emotionally just going to Guardsman Pass. High up Big Cottonwood Canyon, Guardsman Pass connects the Salt Lake Valley to Park City and Heber/Midway by a truly scenic mountain road. How I had never been here before baffles me, but the world is indeed a big place. I went up here one day just to get some sun and do some reading, not expecting to find such a peaceful mountain valley with unexpected power. I was drawn to a trail and just starting walking, dare I say I was pulled by an unknown force. I climbed a hill and found an overlook that took my breath away. The tears started to fall down my cheeks and I knew that I must return over the next few weeks to explore more of this newly found vortex.
