Mountains Beyond Mountains

Before I begin, I'd just like to thank the good people who shared word of this amazing beyond amazing celebration of music in the magical mountains this past Friday night. Some of you might remember my post Mystical Mountains & Golden Domes from last September, which was a festival put on by the same spectacular group of folks. Having been far too long since my last trek up to the breathtaking peaks I gaze upon from below everyday, my flame of desire to dance beneath the mountain moonlight was ignited. Bring on the house music!

On the surface, the city lights shine.

They're calling at me, come and find your kind.

I need the darkness, someone please cut the lights

(...unless it's crazy lasers and disco balls ;) )

I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to share this night with. Thank you Amber, Sayra, & Hau for being the most awesome group of girls down to rough it in the mountain tops and dance ourselves into oblivion!









The only thing that complements the light-pollution free darkness of the wilderness more than the naked moonlight is the purely organic creation of swirling light emanating from a set of fingertips effortlessly aligning with the beat--in other words, a light show. I had the pleasure of giving my first light show, and boy was it exhilarating. I was always hesitant to try, for fear I'd just aimlessly flail my arms about, but if the mood is right and the music is bumping, it comes quite naturally. You just gotta let go sometimes. Luckily, I was able to see some pros in action, whose ephemeral art I was able to capture in photo. These glowing wisps and mesmerizing spirals were created with a single glove light and a cell phone. Now that's ingenuity at it's best.











One thing I really appreciated about this particular event was the intimacy of it all. Not many would be willing to make the midnight journey up to the very top of the peak, but those few who did know what's up, literally. Don't get me wrong, I love the thrill of the mosh, deep in the heart of a crowd, as much as any other rowdy bass lover. But sometimes, it's nice to have the room to melt and flow, dance singularly with the rhythm of the song, and let the gentle winds guide your motion. In times like this, all I can do is release my inner lone wolf and howl at the moon.

Work that purple, Amber, work it!

Transforming into a night owl under the mountain moonlight is one thing, but watching the steady progression of light fill the dawn sky like an early bird is a whole different story. Having never seen the sunrise before, popping my daybreak cherry while perched upon what seemed like the highest point in the world was just the way to do it. Nothing will ever compare to opening my tired eyes at the edge of a cliff to see a sea of billowy clouds covering the valley below for miles. Now, that's heaven people. No doubt about it.

Mountains beyond mountains,

and there's no end in sight.

When wilderness beckons, don't leave home without your trusty Docs!

I have absolutely no words...

It's always strange seeing something in complete darkness, then waking to such clarity. Our humble little dance floor was one fit for a god. And if that god was present that night, I am almost certain I caught a glimpse of good ol' Dionysus with a hardy wine in hand prancing amongst us as if we were spirited maenads lured to the mountains to hold our own wild bacchanalia.