They tower over us, dominate our horizons, and provide many of the world’s vital crops. Not only are mountains hard to miss, they are also an important resource. This year, celebrate International Mountain Day by paying homage to all that the world’s majestic peaks have to offer.
Established in 2003 by the United Nations General Assembly, International Mountain Day celebrates the peaks of the world by calling attention to what they provide. Much more than just a pretty backdrop, mountains are rich agricultural grounds, providing us with many crops that don’t grow elsewhere. Coffee and cocoa, as well as many herbs and spices like oregano and cumin are grown in mountainous regions around the world.
Gaining some altitude with a brisk hike is the perfect way to celebrate International Mountain Day, whether you stick close to home or turn it into a weekend getaway. North America has plenty of peaks from which to take your pick, from Alaska’s Denali, the highest peak on the North American continent at 20,308 feet to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Appalachians at just 6,683 feet.
Even Floridians can take part in celebrating this holiday. Towering over the surrounding suburban countryside, Sugarloaf Mountain climbs to a crest of 312 feet, not bad for a state known for how flat it is. This highest point on the peninsula can be found in Clermont, about 40 minutes west of Orlando, near the western shores of Lake Apopka.
International Mountain Day is celebrated worldwide on Sunday, December 11. Enjoy the day with a climb, or even a steaming cup of your favorite mountain-grown coffee and take a moment to appreciate all that mountains have to offer.
Featured Image from Cristian Grecu/Unsplash
