Stay on Offense Climb Mountains

Attacking Adversity

Go Hiking-It Teaches You About Life

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There are so many things about hiking that are lessons in life. There is the preparation, the physical conditioning, having a destination, new trails and old trails, and false summits, just to name a few.

Today however I want to discuss something that is ever present on a mountain. People ask you if there are a lot of them or not. They sort of worry about them, but when you go hiking you are gong to find them in abundance. I am talking about switchbacks.

Switchbacks And Life

Whenever I go hiking there are trees which are beautiful, rocks that sometimes beat you up, sky to look at along with the occasional sunrise, and then there are switchbacks. Switchbacks are like life in so many ways so I thought I would shake that branch and see what falls out.

You have heard of switchbacks, right? A switchback is the name given to the trail when it goes in one direction and then “switches” back in the other direction. I guess that is the first characteristic of a switchback. It goes one way and then another. Does that ever happen in life? Of course it does.

Direction In Life And When You Go Hiking

It is important to know your destination when you go hiking. Switchbacks might take you in different directions, but you always know your destination and you trust the path you’re on in life. Sometimes life, just like a switchback takes you in one direction for a long time and you wonder if it will ever come to an end. Then it goes in another direction. Wait, you were getting used to this and had almost mastered it and now it is switching on you. What I have realized is that changing direction is ok as long as you keep the end in mind. Switchbacks have a purpose and that is to make the hike easier. Yes, that’s right. Instead of going straight up the mountain you switch back and forth. Oh, and switchbacks change vertically too.

What if it is steep! A steep switchback is really tough, but then sometimes switchbacks are flat (for a short time) and yes, sometimes they go down for a bit. But a steep switchback, just like a tough stretch in life makes you stronger. Pretty soon you look forward to the challenge as you do when you become more competent in life.

Here’s to switchbacks and all their glory! Now, go hiking!

Go On An Expedition and Go Hiking

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Go Hiking and Make It An Adventure

When you go hiking sometimes you can make it an adventure of a lifetime. The picture above was taken in the Yukon after climbing Goat Mountain. Goat Mountain got its name because there are lots of goats. You could see the tuffs of goat hair on the bushes. We floated 100 miles down the Tatshenshini River from Dalton Post (in the Yukon) to Dry Bay in Alaska. It took five days.

You can expect to see as many Eagles as you do Seagulls in coastal cities along in the lower forty-eight. Bears are abundant too. One swam out to our raft or as close as he could get before we paddled away. Then there are the mosquitoes.

Do You Know Your Mosquito Types When You Go Hiking

In most areas of North America the is one size mosquito, but in Alaska and the Yukon there are two. One is almost as large as a 747. You can see those coming and because they are heavy, they are also slow so batting them away is easy.

The second type of mosquito is very small, almost invisible and extremely fast. Hitting them is next to impossible. Repellent is your best offense. Sometimes combining offense with defense makes sense so wear a mosquito net.

Why do I send so much time taking about bugs? Well, in this case I am allergic to these critters. They make me swell up like a puffer fish. During this particular trip I got about 25 bites even after taking all the precautions.

Bushwhacking Is Not Like Going Hiking

Discussing bugs reminds me of our bushwhacking adventure. Beginning at the camp, our guide asked who would like a little adventure. I raised my hand of course and with a couple others we followed him into the bush. No trail. You step over things and climb over other things. After a a half hour of this I noticed what specks on my pants and shirt so I asked about it. The guide said they were “just” worms common to the area.

You Don’t Have to Go Hiking to Enjoy Lake Alsek

One of the most interesting and beautiful sites during this trip was Lake Alsek. It is surrounded by glaciers which deposit icebergs into it. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the icebergs are small and some are giants. When the sun shines on them it creates contrast of shadow and sparkle. Of course there is no current in the lake so you row through and around the icebergs. Having the opportunity to see these creations was worth the cost of the trip by itself.

Climb Mt. Si

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Go Hiking – Climb Mt. Si

When you go hiking you need to find a mountain to climb. Everyone has a favorite mountain, right? I suppose it is not a given that you live close to mountains. Still, you maybe you know someone who does and can inspire them to go hiking.

Mt. Si is one of the most popular places to go hiking in the Cascades. Thousands of people climb it every year. The elevation is 4,167 ft. That is including “Haystack,” a rock that requires a little more than a scramble, especially the last 20 feet. If you are a rock climber it is nothing, but if not you will be challenged.

Planning To Go Hiking

Anytime you go hiking you need to plan. Everyone says you need the 10 essentials. Yes, be prepared. Just remember when it comes to deciding what to bring, “two is one and one is none.” However, the biggest consideration when hiking Mt Si is the time. Because of the crowds you need to go very early in the morning. Maybe not as early as myself. I am a little extreme. Typically I head up the trail at 4:00 AM.

The main thing to remember is that now there is no parking on the country road so you need to get there early enough to find a place to park. There is now a shuttle that takes hikers to the mountain from Seattle so if you like that idea go for it. Personally, I can’t imagine anything worse. It does mean more people on the mountain and one more reason to go early.

Go Hiking And Exercise

Now I suppose you could just take a “nature walk” but don’t tell anyone that you are going to go hiking! When you go hiking you push yourself. Get the legs and lungs burning. That brings me to rule number one – no rest stops! Keep going. That way the mosquitoes can’t catch you and you will get some real health benefit from the hike.

Rule number two is carry some weight. Now, I don’t have too much against trail runners with their cute, tiny little “pouches” they strap on their back. However, those folks are running. If you are not going to carry any weight the you must run. So how much weight should you carry? Twenty pounds in minimum. If you are training for a major summit climb then 35 to 40 pounds is good with an occasional 50 pounds.

Mt.Si is a great training ground for those planning to summit Rainier. So go hiking!

Stay On Offense! Go Hiking!

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Hiking is the Center of My Universe

This admonition comes from a place of extreme prejudice. In many ways, hiking is the center of my universe. Certainly for seven months of the year. So even if there were negatives associated with this activity, I would reject them immediately. So in this inaugural post, I will outline some excellent reasons to do what I say TO STAY ON OFFENSE and GO HIKING!

Go HikingFirst, it is a strong example of staying on offense. When you climb mountains you are moving forward with the effort. Any kind of movement is good for us, but moving uphill on uneven ground taxes the body in such a way that it builds resilience. Like any form of exercise, you need to do it regularly. During my seven months “season” I climb a mountain every week (that doesn’t mean I skip my other training at the gym). Usually, after the first three weeks of the season, my body adjusts.

Are You in Your Twenties?

If you are in your twenties you might ask why it takes me so long to “adjust.” However, I am in my seventies and it just does. If you are in your seventies or younger you need to know that your body can adjust. You have bad knees (so do I). Bad back? (so do I).

Do the mobility work at the gym so you can get up the mountain on the weekend.

Second, you are doing something for your soul. How often are you alone with your creator? Where it is so quiet you can hear your heart beating? When I am on a mountain I feel my God surrounding me. Try it!

Third, it is a relatively inexpensive activity. For some of you, this is important. It is much less expensive than flying, skiing or golf. You might spend some money for gas to get to the mountain and a little more for the state or national forest passes. Then some basic gear. But once you have those in place you are good to go unless of course, you decide to take on the Seven Summits. That is a whole other thing.

Fourth, it impacts your health. More and more evidence points to the importance of immersing yourself in nature. Look at what the state of New York says about it:

Health Benefits From Forests boosts the immune system. lowers blood pressure. reduces stress. improves mood. increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD. accelerates recovery from surgery or illness. increases energy level. improves sleep.

Let me give you a personal example of this.

For many years I suffered from something called Ocular Migraines. They are different than regular migraines in that your vision blurs for twenty minutes or so before you get the headache. Then I went to Alaska and spent a week floating down the Tatshenshini river from Dalton Post in the Yukon to Dry Bay in Alaska. Yes, we hiked a lot as well. When I got back in no Ocular Migraines and none since. That was about twelve years ago.

STAY ON OFFENSE. GO HIKING!