Worth a second ascent: Strauss' Alpine Symphony and my hike

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is performing Strauss' "An Alpine Symphony" this weekend and I thought I would share my column on the symphony from 2001, the last time the PSO performed it. 2001 seems a long time from now, especially as I had done the hike in the summer before 9/11. But the piece still reads well enough, so I present to you my mimicking of Strauss' hike that he immortalized in the symphony:

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20011125onarts1125fnp6.asp

Since then I have hiked the Rockies, Alps and yes Appalachians many times (I can't get enough of summer alpine hiking!), but that hike up Sultan will stick in my head forever. Here's hoping that hearing the performance this week will spur you to recall a great hike of your own.