Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire.
The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down.
You climb the mountain in equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion.
Then when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end, but a unique event in itself.
This leaf has jagged edges. This rock is loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though close.
These are things you should notice anyway.
To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountains, which sustain life, not the top.
The Best Weekends are Spent Outside
I went climbing at Reimers Ranch today. I ended up smelling like sweat, sunscreen, and dirt for a solid eight hours. And I kept having flashbacks to the Kilimanjaro hike whenever I would traverse across rocks and stare at the person’s backpack walking along in front of me.
Needless to say, I’m so happy and so tired after a weekend well-spent.
Ouch
Who knew “jug rash” was a four letter word?
…p.s. Tiger Balm and a foam roller are the two loves of my life right now. My IT band is so happy.
Want to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for a Good Cause?
I did last year. Now it’s your turn!
Registration for Survivor Summit, a LIVESTRONG-partnered event I participated in as part of the inaugural 2012 team, opens today for its February 8-21, 2014 expedition…
This is an opportunity to fundraise $10,000 for cancer programs and services, and challenge yourself as you climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain and one of the “seven summits.” This time around, you’ll head up the Rongai route to the roof of Africa. And as a reward, you’ll go on a safari after the climb to the Ngorongoro Crater.
No previous climbing experience is required; just a good attitude and a strong desire to kick cancer to the curb.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
You know this will be the experience of a lifetime. So go ahead, apply! Good luck!
Be happy.
My Austin Partner in Climb
It was so nice to catch up with my tentmate and “partner in climb” from Survivor Summit, Mindy today at Whole Foods! Even though we both live in Austin, we hadn’t seen each other since October. This time around, we didn’t have to worry about setting up our sleeping bags and sleeping pads in the shadow of Uhuru—we just ate good food and enjoyed each other’s company. Here’s hoping I get to see her again soon.
We all have dreams, but they don’t mean much if we don’t act on them; if we put them away in a drawer labeled “someday,” for when we think we’ll have more time later.
Lisa's reflections on summitting Kilimanjaro and raising over $10,000 for cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG.
