My mom captured this picture of Mt. Rainier this week when she was flying home from a trip. With 26 glaciers, Mt. Rainier is the most heavily glaciated mountain in the lower 48 states of the United States. But even so the hot weather this past summer melted the mountain so bare that it is such a relief to see her covered in white again.

This is the mountain that made me want to climb mountains. I’ve stood on top twice and spent countless hours hiking around and admiring her majesty and mystery. Even with this long history, every time I catch a glance of Mt. Rainer out the window or while standing on her flanks, I feel a rush of awe, inspiration and peace. She speaks to me of beauty, timelessness and the Divine and I listen.

Thanks for the picture, Mom!