Having hiked numerous hills and mountains, we found that arriving at the summit alone is the best feeling there is (when it comes to reaching summits...) The silence of nature, maybe accompanied by some wind or a bird flying by and singing it's song, is a great reward after a long and challenging hike.
When visiting New Zealand this year, we decided to hike the Key Summit Track - part of the larger Great Walk 'The Routeburn Track'. It was a track near the popular Milford Sound and knowing that crowds can form on these famous tracks we set the alarm at 5 in the morning and were ready to go at 5.30. Well equipped and with torches on our heads - it was still dark - we started the hike. After about half a hour the sky started turning blueish as a sign that dawn had started. The first couple of hundred meters of elevation went through lush forest with small streams of water coming down from the mountain on both sides of the rocky gravel path.
Between the trees we could see first rays of the sun lighting up the highest peaks across the valley golden and red. We still had about 400 meters to climb of a total of 919 meter, so we decided to pick up the pace some more. By this time, beads of sweat were pooring down our heads as it was getting warmer and we were almost running up the mountain. Clouds and thick fog were floating through the valleys accompanying us on our trip to the top. It was a magnificent sight.
After some time we reached the summit and the sun was already shining, but hadn't yet shown itself. Time to rest and take in the breathtaking views. Clear skies made it so we could see miles and miles away. After about half an hour the first rays of sunlight reached over the mountain tops in the east and gave the entire land a golden glow. By the time we saw the first (and second, and third) other hiker reach the summit, we went back down again to get some wel deserved rest at the campground.
It was only 10 in the morning and we had already climbed almost 1000 meters and witnessed the sunrise on top of the mountain. What a way to start the day!
This video gives a nice impression of the hike the moments before and after reaching the summit. I hope you like it!