10 Things Only People Who Love Mountains Would Understand

 As a child I spent the first 5 years of my life living with my family in a small farm near Nazaré.  We were  self-sufficient, with no electricity, plumbing, or any other modern conveniences, still remember going to the woods taking a s***.  Living there was a leading factor experience from which my love of nature grew. Always inspiring with shows on TV and magazines I saw those iconic mountain photos like the Alps or the Tibetan peaks as something out of this world. Throughout the years, during my travels I've noticed some things, ether from personal experience, meeting the locals or just by feeling what those regions had to ''say''. It's true that Portugal isn't a country of big landmarks, but if you haven’t spent time in mountain areas, I urge you to do so, there is nothing like it. People who love mountains are sure to understand these 10 things: 

1. You’ve learned about peace from mountains

You  find deep peacefulness when spending time on a mountain. It is a unique  feeling of calm and tranquility that you need to experience to  understand. It filters through you, and stays with you for a time after  you leave. When walking on a mountain, take time to sit down and reflect  for a while: appreciate the stillness, and listen to the silence.  You’ll be glad you did. 

2. You know what mountains can do for your fitness

 You realize there is nowhere better to go hiking. It is great exercise;  the variety of terrain, and the climbing angles can’t be replicated  anywhere else. You don’t need to be an expert mountaineer to experience  these exercise benefits- it can be as challenging as you want it to be.  You do need to ensure you are well aware of the risks though, and  prepare adequately. 

3. You’ve gained perspective from time spent on mountains

They  say you have to climb up a large mountain to appreciate how small you  are. Mountains are humbling, in a good way, as they help you gain  perspective on life. The higher you climb the mountain, the more you  will appreciate this. Look out at the world from high up on a mountain;  the world is amazing and so are you. 

4. You’ve learned about beauty from time spent on mountains

You  cannot deny their breathtaking beauty. Whatever the season, whatever  the mountain, you have the opportunity to appreciate nature at its best.  From the smallest flower, to the most dramatic rock face, from a  cascading waterfall, to a snowy peak. No picture or words can do it  justice: you have to be there. 

5. Your perspective on time changes when you’re on a mountain

You  get a sense of time standing still. You imagine that the mountain has  looked exactly the same for a really long time, and you imagine you will  still look and feel the same for a really long time too. On a mountain,  time seems slow and settled around you.

6. You always appreciate mountain air

You  notice how wonderfully clean the air is. The purity and freshness of  what you breathe in when on a mountain feels cleansing and  life-enhancing. You realize how tainted the air you usually breathe is.  Take it in deeply, feel the benefit.

7. You love mountain fragrances

Aside  from the air purity, your nostrils will be filled with wonderful  fragrances as you travel the mountain, not only from the pines, mountain  flowers, and other plants, but from the mountain itself.

8. You’ve learned about the importance of unspoiled nature

You  appreciate how important it is to keep parts of our planet unspoiled.  Apart from some of the most popular tourist mountain areas around the  world, the majority of mountain areas remain in their beautiful,  natural, unspoiled state.

9. You respect weather

You  quickly learn a healthy respect for the weather when on mountains; in  certain areas conditions can become dangerous quite quickly. If you  spend much time there, you will become sensitive to the weather, in  order to be responsive and safety-conscious.

10. You know the importance of exploration

You  know that there is always something new to explore on a mountain, a new  path to travel. Mountains are rich with wondrous delights, capable of  satisfying your primal urges for exploration. Marvel in their beauty. Be  awed by their vastness, and appreciate the gift that they are.What are you waiting for?