Rock On! and Reach For New Heights

Mountains are elevated portions of the Earth’s crust.  They are landforms that have significant heights above sea level and/or the surrounding land.  They usually have steep, sloping sides that show exposed bedrock and sharp or rounded ridges.  Many have a high point called a peak or summit.  

Mountains are formed by tectonic plates moving together and punching until tall structures are formed. Some mountains are formed by volcanic eruptions.  Mountains are slowly levelled through the action of weather as well as through erosion by rivers and glaciers. Volcanic, fold, plateau, fault-block and dome are the five main types of mountains.

Mount Everest in the Himalayas of Asia is the highest mountain on Earth. Its summit is 8,850 m or 29,035 ft above sea level.  A mountain range is a series or chain of mountains that are close together. The Rocky Mountain range is the second longest in the world. It is more than 3,000 miles long stretching from northern Canada through the Southwestern United States.

Mountains have different climates than land at sea level and nearby flat land.  The high elevations on mountains produce colder climates than at sea level at the same latitude.  The colder climates strongly affect the ecosystems of mountains.  Different elevations have different plants and animals.  Mountains tend to be used less for agriculture and more for extracting resources such as mining and logging. Many mountains are used for recreation such as mountain climbing and skiing.

The mountains’ snow and glaciers provide water to rivers and lakes.  The water is used for agriculture, generating hydroelectricity, drinking water and food preparation. Mountains are the world’s water towers.  They provide 60-80% of all the freshwater resources for our planet.  

At least 50% of the world’s population depends on the mountain ecosystem to survive.  Water authorities make reservoirs and pump the water to towns and cities. Farmers graze their animals on them.  Forestry companies grow coniferous forests and harvest wood on them. Climbers and tourists visit the mountains for the scenery.

The mountains are unique.  Their extraordinary environment allows for biological diversity, cultural diversity and linguistic diversity.  They stand firmly vertical and defy the gravity of the Earth and peek out from the sky. The mountains are examples of beauty, peace and creativity.  

The mountains give us time to take a moment to be in awe of the natural beauty of the world.  Being in nature reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature makes you feel better emotionally and it contributes to your physical well-being by reducing blood pressure, your heart rate, muscle tension and the production of stress hormones.  

These are the sayings on the bookmark called Advice from a Mountain.

• Reach for new heights

• There is beauty as far as the eye can see

• Climb beyond your limitations

• Be uplifting

• Savour life’s peak experiences

• Rise above it all

• Rock on!

Here are my comments / thoughts as I read each of these sayings. 

• Reach for new heights - set goals and keep learning new things

• There is beauty as far as the eye can see - look around you and see the beauty in the world

• Climb beyond your limitations - keep reaching up and go past your goals

• Be uplifting - encourage others and help them reach their potential

• Savour life’s peak experiences - appreciate the special events and experiences you have enjoyed

• Rise above it all - strive for excellence and always take the high road

• Rock on! - This phrase is an expression of celebration! 

My pictures today are ones of the Three Sisters Mountains near Canmore, Alberta in Canada. These mountains are near the entrance to Banff National Park.  

One is a watercolour done by cousin Vivian King and the other is a photo I took while on one of my many trips to my timeshare near Canmore.  

# living life abundantly   # published author   # travelling tuesdays