“On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.” Those pieces are mountains. As you climb higher, the only sound you hear is your own breath. Every step reminds you how different life feels here, far from ordinary.

Beautiful is not a fair word for what you see with your own eyes. I have not found a word that comes close.

Mountains are huge, tough and dangerously imposing, but when you overcome their challenges, you feel something extraordinary. Only a few people can connect with those moments at the top. Others see only the hardship, the roughness and the danger.

My Mountain Journey

I climbed only a handful of mountains with my husband from autumn 2024 to winter 2025, the time I spent in my home country, Iran. About 55 percent of Iran’s land area is mountainous, and it is a shame I discovered this passion too late, after I was no longer living there.

It started with regular practice, gaining elevation little by little to prepare for the peaks.

The first summit was unforgettable. As we sat with our backpacks on the ground for a short rest, I looked back at the spectacular view, amazed at how far we had come and how high we had climbed. It was a rare moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Don’t ask me for advice. You might end up in the mountains, discovering rare things hidden in them. Waking up at 4 a.m. to be halfway up for the sunrise. Spotting a dog at the base of a mountain, hoping for a companion to share the trail and your snacks. Taking short rests with simple snacks that taste like the best meal in a Michelin-level restaurant. Checking the trail and the time to make sure you can reach the summit and return safely.

Half here, half there in the mountains, longing for the trails I cannot walk right now. Mountains will always be the place where I feel life in every step I take along the trail.