Climbing Mountains is All Upside
June 23rd, 2012
I like to say that when climbing a mountain, the bottom, middle and top are the hardest parts. I mean: It’s all uphill.
I'm going to the top of that mountain.
But I also like to say, the best views come to those willing to do the work to get to the top of mountains. One very good way to become actually what we are potentially — is to climb a mountain, to endure a struggle from which we expand and grow.
Whether in the wilderness literally climbing a mountain, such as the mountain my husband and I climbed yesterday in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, or metaphorically in one’s personal or work life, the payoff is worth it.
In the former, one gains a health benefit, increased confidence, and views that inspire for a long time, possibly forever. In the latter, there will be struggle that will generate personal discovery, growth and fulfillment.
In other words, even though it’s a bunch of hard work, it’s all upside.
Climbing a mountain is hard. It's all uphill.
Of course, my friend, Phil Powers, the first person from Wyoming to summit K2 without oxygen (maybe the only Wyoming person ever do this?) told me years ago, “The summit is only the half way point. Once you make it to the top, you still have to get down.”
But we’ll address that matter in another post.
In the meantime, and more importantly, what mountains are you gearing up to climb?
- Categories: Adventure, Fitness, Life and Leadership
- Tags: climbing mountains, hardship, peak experience, struggle, uphill
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