Looking back, it's been a year since I decided to tackle all these trips -- across the continental United States, the Great Smoky Mountain, national parks in southern Utah, Southeast Asia, Hawaii, etc.
And last month's backpacking trip was nothing short of spectacular. There are few occasions in one's life in which there's an experience that captivates moment of awareness, and that instance happened to be on the second day of the trip, when we decided whether to pursue the loop.
Choosing to forgo the loop brought a sense of relief. At the same time, there was disappointment. I was glad to not endure the physical strain of of lugging 50 pounds on my back across rugged terrain. But I felt that not accomplishing this goal exhibited my physical and mental limitation.
Safely ensconced in the confines of my apartment, and having experienced the fringes of extreme, hard-core canyoneering I realize that I could actually continue that trek on the loop. So, what seemed so difficult and physically demanding for the first time seems achievable in retrospect.
With more experience and a bit more nerves of steel, I know I can complete that loop. I asked Daniel after we emerged from the canyon whether he would have attempted the descent and climb to Monkey Face with so much weight on his back, he said he would. And I have to agree with him.
It's a matter of pushing one's limits and going even further than that. After that, everything else seems relatively easy. All of these experiences help to build character. Life is all about taking chances, typically not knowing what will happen, just as this backpacking trip in which I scaled slopes with unfamiliar inclines. But I did it.
Sometimes we pursue paths that are neither conventional nor common to the typical person. And in many cases, it's important to not give up.
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