Getting to the top

3,074 meters doesn't seem that far (over 9,000 feet) to climb...until you're halfway there, and your legs are already sore....But we were determined to make it to the top of the tallest peak in the Indian Ocean (so they say), so we packed our gear and trudged up the fastest, but steepest route to the "gite," or cabin, halfway up to "Piton des Neiges" (french for Snowy Peak). Everyone we met there seemed in good spirits, drinking hot tea and playing cards.

That night before heading off to bed we sneaked a peek at the stars. needless to say that high up, you can see everything. This night it was especially odd to see the sky, with all of the constellations completely mixed up, or non existent, making up that strange southern hemisphere sky. You may see Orion all year round, but he's laying funny, not quite the right way up. Worse, the big dipper and the north star are nowhere in sight. It would be worrisome not knowing which way is north, except my friend pointed out the Southern Cross, explaining how to find south. At last, things make sense again!

In order to get the best conditions for Piton des Neiges it's best to wake up at 3:30 in the morning and start hiking up the last 2 hours to the top. That way, by the time you get there, you have a clear view of the sun rising over the entire island, with a 360 degree view of everything. As we trudged to the top we ran across ice on the path, justifying our multiple layers of clothes. I don't know how cold it was exactly at the top, but it definitely wasn't Reunion beach weather. As everyone waited in the cold, slowly it grew lighter and lighter, and all of the sudden, the sun came up above the clouds. It was kind of like being in an airplane, looking down on all of the clouds below, hiding the world underneath. Cameras were clicking right and left as the sun went higher and higher, and finally everyone left. We were the last group to leave, starting the long walk all the way back to the car we had left behind two days ago. My knees may be shot, but I can safely say that was one of the best moments I've had on this island.