Daniel Gittelman- Reddish Knob (Student’s Choice)

 A sacred journey can be described as an adventure providing an emotional experience that allows for a connection with the “Ultimate Other”. While running up Reddish Knob, I felt connected to the “Ultimate Other”, which for me was an ultimate order rather than a divine figure.

Once every year from 2016-2019, I ran anywhere between 3-5 miles up Reddish Knob, a mountain in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This was just one of many places that we ran at during Blue Ridge Running Camp, but no other place I ran at provided me with the incredible connection to my surroundings as much as Reddish Knob. Especially at the top of the mountain overlooking the trees, I felt that I was in a sacred place due to the undisturbed nature. Silence is one of the key influencers for making a place sacred.


In his article “Spiritual Rambling: Long Distance Wilderness Sojourning as Meaning-Making”, Dr. Redick demonstrates increased alertness by expressing how during his long-distance hiking, he “was aware of the entire surround; of a woodpecker calling from the canopy above, and tree branches thrust into the hovering sky” (Redick 3). I felt this way while running up Reddish Knob, especially because of the flow I experienced. Although focused on my action of running up the mountain, I am still capable of remembering the scenery around me. I remember the multiple runners around me, the trees blowing gently in the wind, and the sun beating down on me. 


The run itself is never truly enjoyable, but I feel like putting work into sacred journeys brings out the best in them. Atop the mountain, everything felt quiet, still, and peaceful. It was that quietness and peacefulness combining with the sense of being in touch with my surroundings that made this place and journey sacred for me.

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