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- What Hiking Can Teach Us
Good evening, friend.
I spent the last week in Colorado.
On our first day arriving in Boulder, my partner, Nadine, and I made a vow to hike the Colorado mountains at least once a day. So that’s exactly what we did.
Throughout the week of exploring trails & digesting some beautiful views, I continued to drop in on the following question:
What can hiking mountains teach us about life?
Turns out - a lot.
So this week, we'll dive into what came up around this question.
Plus, you'll find some other-worldly-looking mountain photos at the end of this newsletter.
There’s a common saying in hiking, “the best view comes after the longest climb.”
Similarly, in life, the most challenging obstacles often create the most growth.
When we face a strenuous hike, we are required to stretch ourselves & our abilities. We must work hard and trust ourselves, as we navigate the tricky terrain.
At the same time though, it is absolutely crucial that we honor the signs that the trail may reveal. Think - weather, animals & navigation.
In this way, hiking teaches humility & confidence, simultaneously.
Moreover, respecting nature is one of the foundational pillars of the national park system.
In fact, there is a principle called "Leave No Trace", which encourages attendees to leave areas better than they found them.
Since learning about "Leave No Trace" years ago, I have always made an effort to leave the parks with at least 1 piece of trash and consider the following question:
How might we apply the "Leave No Trace" philosophy into our own lives, communities, and places of living?
During the week’s most difficult ascent, a 1200 ft climb over just 1 mile, I was struck by the biggest lesson the mountains have given me.
When we look to the top of the summit, it can be difficult to find the motivation to climb the entire mountain.
The size of our goal can be overwhelming. Just as they or our to-do lists often are in everyday life.
But when we simply look at our next step forward, each step becomes easier and easier.
We can begin enjoying the process (the hike/activity itself) once we detach from the outcome (the summit / objective).
So, in that way, hiking is a bit of an analogy for life, as are the mountains— we have to take it one step at a time.
Continue to move forward.
Step by Step 👣⛰
Colorado Dog Energy:
While house-sitting for Nadine’s co-workers, we had the opportunity to dog-sit two of the most engaging dogs I’ve ever met.
Buffy & Bardo, two siblings, have what a local hiker referred to as “Colorado Dog Energy.”
Meaning (I think), they would hike off-leash with incredible behavior, stay within a few yards of us, and immediately return upon a call of their names.
Growing up, my family or friends’ dogs would bolt off at the first chance they got. For this reason, I would have never even considered hiking with a dog off-leash.
But every hike, Buffy & Bardo, would show up with enthusiasm, loyalty, and behavior that for me, was unbelievable. Which leads me to the big point of the weekend:
We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know
In this case, I didn't even conceive that 5-mile hikes with dogs off-leashed were even a possibility. But unsurprisingly, I was thrilled when I found out this was a reality for dogs like Buffy and Bardo.
So moving forward from this Colorado trip, I want to learn more about what I don’t know and lean into Colorado Dog Energy— playful, loyal, responsive, and chill.
Pictures from the Trip:
Buffy & Bardo (Left & Center) showing off their "Colorado Dog Energy."
Bouldering in Boulder, Colorado.
Nadine & I - Overlooking Emerald Lake, Rocky Mountain State Park
I appreciate you reading and hope you have a beautiful week.
With Gratitude,
Aidan