Payoff - 7/26/19

My 30-pound backpack grew heavy after the few hours it took to cross the rainy Og Pass. I was near Lake Magog in Alberta, Canada on the first-ever trip with siblings only. This was only my second long trek with this new pack and I was still adjusting and getting used to it. We hit the base of the Windy Ridge mountain and could see a tiny silhouette of a man at the peak. 

Tiny enough to know it wasn’t a rock. Large enough to know it was a man and not a bear. 

The distance between myself and that man was a path riddled with grassy switchbacks, loose rocky slopes, and scattered patches of snow. My sisters had already shot up the path with their lighter packs and trekking poles. I was happy at the pace they found for themselves, but this was the loadout I chose was happy to live with the choices I made that morning. I didn’t let anyone rush me and found a good pace for myself that minimized any injury to my aging legs but still got my blood pumping.

I lowered my head and focused back on the two steps in front of me. Two steps and only those two steps. 

One step. Two step. Left foot. Right foot. 

As I pressed one foot in front of the other, I thought no matter how difficult this hike was, it still beats sitting in front of a computer. I breathed in deeply and smiled. I was enjoying myself. The busy week prior to this trip prevented me from looking up any spoilers of this hike or any hike we had planned. I had no idea what view awaited at the top. I just wanted to get there. I knew if I just kept my pace that I would.

When I finally reached the top, the most amazing view I’d ever seen spanned 360 degrees around me. You only get a full 360 when you are truly at a peak. Having my three sisters and Robin, my youngest sister’s boyfriend to share the experience with was a bonus. All the pain disappeared at the realization of where I was in the world at that moment and who I was with.  

I was on a fucking mountain top with all of my siblings. How cool is that?

No photograph can substitute for the experience of trudging through mud, pressing up switchbacks of loose rock and climbing those last few steps towards the top, as the view slowly reveals itself. Ho-ly fuck. 

Was it worth it? You bet it was! 

Hiking is a powerful metaphor for me and the difficulties we experience in life. When on the path toward a particular goal, one must remember that the payoff is only for those who are willing to endure the pain and difficulty it takes to get there. The view is reserved for those who are willing to step up and do what it takes to get there. Shortcuts can be dangerous. Excessive speed early on could wear you out and lead to injury. There are many other lessons that can be taken from hiking, but generally, the more difficult the path, the bigger the payoff.

Hiking takes a unique balance of looking up and looking down. Looking up reminds me of where I am heading, the beautiful surroundings, and the reasons I am on the path. Looking down reminds me to be mindful of each step, not trip or fall, and to break down a large goal into smaller tasks.

As in business, speed without direction can lead to chaos and redos. Direction without speed leads to stagnation and delays. Occasionally checking your bearings (and for actual bears) is essential to achieving any goal.

At this point in the year, many of us may need to take a breath and look up. Is the direction you are heading still relevant? Is the mountain even still there? Do you need to make any adjustments? Do you need to pick up speed or change direction?

If you find yourself burning out, maybe it’s time to slow down or take a break entirely. This trip was a mind-clearing one for sure, but it was a desperately needed one. I came back to a meeting with my CEO, refreshed with realizations and shared my insights. He concurred. And so we continue!

One step. Two step. Left foot. Right foot. 

Fuck yeah, it's Friday!

Windy Ridge Trail, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada (July 16, 2019)