Adams Peak or Siripadaya Peak or "butterfly mountain" is 2243 meters high and is known for the Sri Pada, or "sacred footprint" rock formation near the top. Buddhist tradition holds this to be the footprint of Buddha, in Hindu it is thought to be of Shiva, and in Christian belief it is where Adam fell to earth when expelled from heaven. Interesting that all have their own take on this important site.
We woke at two in the morning and start walking at 2:30 AM. It's a 1000 m rise in elevation over the 7 km climb. Roger's tummy was a bit off and Sher was starting to get a cold (though it was just a tickle in the throat at that time). Up, up, and up we climbed with others we encountered along the way. Some moved at a brisker pace and others we overtook. The first part was a gentle slope which turned steeper and steeper as we went.
The final section was really tough and we had to hold onto rails and help hoist ourselves up. Along the way were several enterprising tea shops set up for weary climbers in both directions to rest, revive and warm themselves. By 5:30 AM, a half hour or more before sunrise, we made it to the last tea station and waited there with hot, warm, sweet tea (ah... so wonderful!) before braving the last 15 minutes of cold winds to the summit Temple.
Once up at the top, you were waiting with the many others for sunrise. It was chilly and you need to remove your shoes to enter the temple area. You ring the bell at the top for the number of times you have made this climb.
Although the sunrise is the main attraction to the east, the shadow of Adams Peak, a pyramid stretching out to the horizon in the west, is equally impressive. It's really quite magical up above the mists of the valleys on top of the world being in a very sacred temple watching the sun come up and the shadow the mountain makes to the west. On the way down, you really feel like you've been somewhere, touched in the heart with a sense of peace.
And then there is the trip back down... something like 5500 steps. The monks over many, many years have created these steps, one step at a time. One would think it is a lot easier than the climb up and in some ways it is, but it stresses the already-sore muscles and the joints. It took half the time as the upward journey, but by the time we were most of the way down we were beyond ready for breakfast and a shower. Once back to our hotel, we had to make the very steep climb up to our rooms in the cottage blocks waaaaaaay up high in the back. We had breakfast first to rest and almost had to crawl the last few steps to our room for a much desired shower.
With Equanimity and Joy
(with sore muscles for the following week)
We woke at two in the morning and start walking at 2:30 AM. It's a 1000 m rise in elevation over the 7 km climb. Roger's tummy was a bit off and Sher was starting to get a cold (though it was just a tickle in the throat at that time). Up, up, and up we climbed with others we encountered along the way. Some moved at a brisker pace and others we overtook. The first part was a gentle slope which turned steeper and steeper as we went.
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| Shadow of Adams Peak to the West |
The final section was really tough and we had to hold onto rails and help hoist ourselves up. Along the way were several enterprising tea shops set up for weary climbers in both directions to rest, revive and warm themselves. By 5:30 AM, a half hour or more before sunrise, we made it to the last tea station and waited there with hot, warm, sweet tea (ah... so wonderful!) before braving the last 15 minutes of cold winds to the summit Temple.
Once up at the top, you were waiting with the many others for sunrise. It was chilly and you need to remove your shoes to enter the temple area. You ring the bell at the top for the number of times you have made this climb.
And then there is the trip back down... something like 5500 steps. The monks over many, many years have created these steps, one step at a time. One would think it is a lot easier than the climb up and in some ways it is, but it stresses the already-sore muscles and the joints. It took half the time as the upward journey, but by the time we were most of the way down we were beyond ready for breakfast and a shower. Once back to our hotel, we had to make the very steep climb up to our rooms in the cottage blocks waaaaaaay up high in the back. We had breakfast first to rest and almost had to crawl the last few steps to our room for a much desired shower.
With Equanimity and Joy
(with sore muscles for the following week)
