The first sunrise of the year

Since 2013 I have been welcoming every New year by hiking to a summit on New Year’s Eve, sleep under the stars and watch the first sunrise of the new year from the summit.

What follows is every one of them: as I posted it at the time, and in my own words for the years I didn’t post.

2013: Mt Diablo, California

Great start to New Year. Happy new year everyone.

Naresh standing beside the summit sign, Elev. 3849 Ft. — The summit of Mt Diablo.

2014: Half Dome, Yosemite

“The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” — John Muir

Snow on boulders along a river, granite walls and pines above — Happy Isles, Yosemite.

Naresh in a green jacket sitting on a granite edge, a deep valley below — 1 January 2014.

Granite cliffs dropping into a valley, seen from above — 1 January 2014.

2015: Mt Doom, New Zealand

My humble yet epic abode for the night on New Year’s Eve at the base of Mt Doom in Tongariro National Park.

Climbed Mt Doom (Mordor) in Middle-earth to witness the first sunrise of the New Year. Literally! I get to see the first sunrise before the rest of the world. Though one does not simply walk into Mordor. Freezing cold rain, mist and gust tried to stop me in getting to the summit. At the end, I had no precious to throw into the fire but to sit back at the summit and enjoy this precious view and welcome the New Year with much gratitude and in anticipation for what’s ahead.

PS: Waited for those damn Eagles to show up but they never did and had to walk back myself.

A small tent below the cone of Mt Ngauruhoe — My abode for the night, and the first sunrise of 2015.

The sun rising over the horizon — My abode for the night, and the first sunrise of 2015.

Naresh with his arms raised as the sun rises behind him

2016: Kodaikanal, India

After Bisons, it was Elephants this time. Picked a mountain to celebrate New Year, my way. My fourth year of climbing to a summit and watching the first sunrise of the year.

While bushwhacking through some crazy bushes full of thorns, the local tribal guide smelled something fishy. He noticed elephant droppings and trees damaged by an elephant herd. Not a good sign. He said that the elephants might be partying where we intended to. It sucked to turn around after all the hard work but ‘twas inevitable.

Plan B: I chose a different peak and the group liked it. Tents were up, hammock tied, firewood gathered, and all set to have a great time in Elephant Valley region of Kodaikanal, a dense jungle full of elephants, bisons, leopards etc. Billion star hotel was phenomenal. The night sky was unlike anything I have ever seen. Fell asleep gazing at the fire pondering what an awesome year 2015 turned out to be.

Woke up early to catch the dawn colors and witnessed a glorious sunrise. Heart filled with gratitude to The Lord for a great year 2015 and for graciously adding yet another year to my life.

Naresh with his arms spread wide as the sun rises over misty hills — The first sunrise of 2016.

2017: Tongariro, New Zealand

With a tent, sleeping bag, cooking pot and some snack/coffee in my pack, I went to the mountains, my sanctuary. Enjoyed the stillness and calm before the storm rolled in. Stinging rain, horrendous gale put me to the absolute test. No sunrise from the summit this year but yet the mountains taught a great lesson: Patience, resilience and maintaining a positive attitude no matter what. Just what I needed to learn for the adventure ahead, Freedom Seat. I went to the mountains and had a good time.

Naresh in a yellow jacket beside an orange tent, a mountain hidden in cloud behind — Before the storm rolled in.

An orange tent on a hillside under a grey sky — 1 January 2017.

2018: Sentinel Dome, Yosemite

Billion Star Hotel for New Year’s Eve. A new year tradition of mine where I climb a summit/peak to witness sunrise on New Years morning. So blessed to be spending in Yosemite this year with best friends with this view. Half Dome to the east and El Capitan to the west. Saw a stunning sunset. Sleeping under the stars to get up early to welcome New Years by watching the sunrise.

A green tent pitched on bare granite, Half Dome and snowy peaks in the distance — My Billion Star Hotel for New Year’s Eve.

Naresh and a companion standing on the granite dome, mountains behind them — 1 January 2018.

A selfie of Naresh and a companion in warm hats — 1 January 2018.

2019: Nag Tibba, India

It was a glorious sunrise to welcome 2019. My tradition of watching the first sunrise of the new year from a summit this time took me to the foothills of Garhwal Himalaya mountain ranges.

After a steep hike, we setup a camp at an elevation of 11,000ft at the summit of Nag Tibba aka Jhandi. The temperature at the summit was about -8C (17 F). Woke up to see a beautiful sunrise. Said a prayer to the Lord thanking Him for adding one more year to my life and to that of my friends/families.

Naresh standing on a ridge watching the sun rise over layers of mountains — Sunrise from Nag Tibba.

The sun rising over layers of dark ridges — 1 January 2019.

The sun just above the horizon beyond a forested valley — 1 January 2019.

2020: Mt Magazine, Arkansas

Making our way towards Mt Magazine in Ozarks for this year. Spent last night at Hawk’s bill point (Whitaker’s point) for an early start.

Great start to 2020 from Mt Magazine, the highest point of Arkansas in Ozark National Forest. So thankful to God for adding yet another new year to my life.