It better be worth it. I said it when we were driving in a cramped van for an hour and half. Then I said it again walking through dark unpaved trails, using one small flashlight for 3 hours. And again, as we climbed the final 750 steps to the summit, making it to the top of Mt. Sinai at 4:30am. It better be worth it, I thought with each chilly gust of wind that hit my face. Oh, and did I mention it was 25’F. And again as I was laying under foul and putrid smelling blankets (but I was so cold I didn’t care), and huddling for warmth with Mike. The wind cut right through the blanket with still nearly two hours until sunrise.
We shared the top of Mt. Sinai with many other tourists who seemed unfazed by the cold. But many of them came prepared with fur hats, trenchcoat length leather jackets, hats and gloves. I had jeans with a skirt over it, a pair of mike’s dirty socks over mine, 3 tops, one sweatshirt and one wind breaker, plus fingerless gloves. Not nearly enough to keep warm.
When we finally emerged from our blankets, we did so with 500 people starting right at us. Turns out we were in the perfect spot to observe the sunrise. And everyone else was ready to watch but us.
So. Was it worth it? Despite the 3 hour climb, not sleeping a wink, the below freezing temperatures, and risking possible frost bite, yes, it was. At night, the number of stars out was exceptional, and the sunrise was beautiful.
I would consider you mountaineers after that adventure. next stop: the summit at Everest! Go go go…..