Contributed by Winona Benson
This morning I met my girlfriend at 6:00 at the base of Lazy Mountain for our first hike in the dark of winter.
Lisa and I have been hiking together for nearly 11 years. We have had many great adventures. This morning was going to be another good first for us as we started up the hill in full snow gear, crampons, and head lamps.
I felt pretty confident about the hike, I had eaten well the night before, drank plenty of water, and had a good night’s sleep. I ate some healthy carbs before I left the house, and so as we began the climb, I felt confident.
There was some fluffy snow on top of the trail so even with crampons on, I was still slipping. Taking several steps up and sliding back gets exhausting. My confidence slowly waned.
Once we got to the 2,000-foot marker, I stopped for some needed rest.
It was at this point that I shared with Lisa that I was stepping in time to a silly little song in my head to keep myself going.
Lisa shared an article she read about climbing mountains. As soon as it becomes difficult, keep your head slightly down and take one step at a time. Don’t look too far up the trail because it can psych you out. She repeated, “just don’t look too far ahead”.
As we trudged forward and upward, I thought to myself that this was true in life, we’ve got to take small steps to get to big outcomes.
Around the 4,000-foot marker, I noticed that I was sliding a lot more than I should have with spikes. I worked my way to a semi-level spot and did a check of my crampons. The crampon on my right foot upside down!
I adjusted the spikes so they would bite into the snow for the rest of the hike.
Somewhere between the 4,000 and 5,000-foot markers, there is an incredible view of the valley. Being up there in the dark, you could see all the lights, from Knik up the Glenn towards Sutton, and into Wasilla. The stars were bright in the clear sky and a quarter moon was glowing brilliantly. It is at those moments that you don’t think about the climb, you just embrace the fact that you have the privilege of seeing things from this vantage.
As we climbed up the final feet of the trail, I thought of some successes throughout the week which boosted me up the final elevation. Just before reaching the picnic table, I heard Lisa shout, “Woo-Hoo! Our first dark morning climb!”
I smiled.
Lazy Mountain is steep and I often dread the descent more than the ascent. It can be hard on the knees and toes. However, in the winter, it is a game changer!
Just as we were coming up on the first steep descent, we dropped to our butts and began the slide down the mountain! Laughing and whooping our way down the hill!
At the bottom, we congratulated each other on another workout done. A mountain climb could be paralleled with 2020.
The Coronavirus and the state of our world has caused pain, fear, unrest, and insecurity. It has also provided us with opportunities to embrace the good that is around us, to savor precious moments and people we love.
After the slowing of the virus this summer, we started to enjoy the good again. Jobs were opening, the sun was out, the feeling that maybe we would get back to ‘normal’ again. Then, another wave of the virus hit. People getting sick in large numbers, the threat of another shut-down, the fear of isolation, and political unrest. How do we get through it? Small Steps.
As we come to the end of 2020, I wish for you these things;
- Embrace the hard times with the knowledge that you are becoming stronger. When you are on a hill, a difficult time, a bad day, stop and be thankful for what you are learning.
Along your journey, push aside fear and exchange it for a smile, a laugh, a silly thought.
Bring along a friend, the nearness of someone can push you past what you don’t think you can do alone.
- Check your gear. Stock up your kitchen with healthy food, use your calendar to schedule quality time with friends & family, get dressed for movement to strengthen you physically.
Stop and breathe - incorporate meditation and prayer.
- Laugh. Watch a funny movie, play a game, sing a silly song, play with your kids or dogs!
- Take small steps. When life gets hard it’s easy to give up on our goals and our expectations. Remember to keep moving forward – even when you feel like you are sliding backwards.
Merry Christmas!
Winona Benson
Holistic Health Coach, Nutrition Educator and owner of Nourished Health Coaching Services