Bishop Peak, San Luis Obispo

To reach the summit of Bishop Peak requires a combination of hiking and rock climbing.  This volcanic plug is 1,546 feet above sea level and the tallest in a chain of similar peaks stretching to Morro Bay.  Chris suggested a little morning exercise.  It sounded like fun.   

Passing through the dappled sunlight in the cool woodlands of the trail head, we ascended into the full, bright, hot sun on a broad, dusty, well-trodden path.  As the incline of the path steepened, the trees disappeared.  The hairpin turns grew tighter. The path narrowed to a goat trail.  Rocks grew into boulders. The temperature increased.  Our pace slowed.  Our rest stops increased.  College kids out for their morning run passed us as did numerous panting dogs and their guardians.  We hiked for an hour before reaching a strategically placed bench.  It’s a good place to catch your breath and count your blessings, next to a plaque memorializing a hiker who fell. “Nana, do you want to go to the top?” Morgan asked enthusiastically.  “I thought I was at the top”, I replied as I considered pouring my bottled water over my head.  “No, Nana, it’s up there”, he said pointing up a sheer rock wall that a climber was rappelling. 

Now, the rock climbing part of the trip is an entirely different experience.  It could have been two different days, two different places, an entirely different universe.  We took time and studied our options before stretching for a hand hold and firmly placing a foot hoping to prevent an unexpected tumble down the mountainside and a memorial plaque.  Sometimes we used a miniscule edge carved out of the smooth, weathered rock for footing, sometimes a crevasse, sometimes a helping hand and one foot to push off.  This was the practical application of yoga; stretching, bending, climbing. Not once did we look straight down. 

Upon arriving at the very tip top one’s instinct is to stand upright, arms lifted high in celebration. Common sense, however, quickly sets in and one begins to crawl or scoot or waddle around turning ever so carefully on the short, narrow, flat summit as the hawks circle at eye level.   The territorial view is breathtaking.