Although the first few miles of the hike up Mt。 Madison did not offer fantastic views， the vistas became spectacular once I climbed above tree line。 Immediately， I sensed that understanding thenatural world parallels climbing a mountain。 To reach my goal of total comprehension of natural phenomena， I realized that I must begin with knowledge that may be uninteresting by itself。

　　However， this knowledge will form the foundation of an accurate view of the universe。 Much like every step while hiking leads the hiker nearer the mountain peak； all knowledge leads the scientist nearer total understanding。

　　Above tree line， the barrenness and silence of the hike taught me that individuals must have theirown direction。 All hikers know that they must carry complete maps to reach their destinations；they do not allow others to hold their maps for them。 Similarly， surrounded only by mountaintops， sky， and silence， I recognized the need to remain individually focused on my life’s goal of understanding the physical universe。

　　At the summit， the view of the surrounding mountain range is spectacular。 The panorama offersview of hills and smaller mountains。 Some people during their lives climb many small hills。

　　However， to have the most accurate view of the world， I must be dedicated to climbing the biggestmountains I can find。 Too often people simply hike across a flat valley without ascending because they content themselves with the scenery。 The mountain showed me that cannot content myselfwith the scenery。 When night fell upon the summit， I stared at the slowly appearing stars until they completely filled the night sky。 Despite the windy conditions and below freezing temperatures， Icould not tear myself away from the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos。 Similarly， despite the frustration and difficulties inherent in scientific study， I cannot retreat from my goal of universalunderstanding。

　　When observing Saturn's rising， the Milky Way Cloud， and the Perseid meteor shower， Isimultaneously felt a great sense of insignificance and purpose。 Obviously， earthly concerns areinsignificant to the rest of the universe。 However， I experienced the overriding need to understand the origins and causes of these phenomena。 The hike also strengthened my resolve to climb themountain of knowledge while still taking time to gaze at the wondrous scenery。 Only then can thebeauty of the universe and the study of science be purposefully united。 Attaining this union is mylifelong goal。

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