"It is not the mountain we conquer, but something in ourselves." This quote may have been said spoken by many people and changed over time, but it's message remains the same. Only after climbing my own personal and physical mountains have I come to realize what the meaning behind this encompasses. Being born and raised in British Columbia, I've been given ample opportunity to climb these mountains and see things more clear with each peak I reach. The majestic symbolism that mountains held for me began in Newfoundland in Gros Mourne National Park.
My Katimavik group was on a camping trip in the park for an excursion. Part of our trip included a climb a mountain who's name I fail to recall. After a very wet nights sleep in saturated tents, we came to the base of the mountain slightly damn, tired and not all that enthusiastic. We trudged up the mountain in a quiet stupor.
There was a small rest area with a view of the large mountain ahead of us. The weather hadn't been cooperative and we were warned about hiking in the area with cloudy weather. It was warned that fog could get so thick, you would'nt be able to see where you were walking and go right over a cliff! Our project leader Jill gave us a choice: we could continue in hopes the weather would improve, or we could finish our lunch, call it a day and return to the van.
I pondered the options. I really wanted to climb the mountain, but I was exhausted and didn't feel like walking off a cliff. I had recently created a list of things to-do before I die. This felt like something I could put on the list, and would require me to return to Newfoundland one day to accomplish this. I didn't want this! I looked at the mountain and saw a streak of sun shine through the clouds; it looked like the weather was going to get better. I knew my group didn't want to only come half way either. With a quick concensus, we all agreed to continue.
The weather did indeed improve. We stripped our garbage bag covers, our sweaters and our negative attitudes and hiked up the mountain slowly, but with a fiery determination. This was one of the most challenging things some members of my group had ever done, being very city-oriented folk. Although I had climbed mountains before, this was one of the largest I had ever done. I felt a large load of guilt relieved off my shoulders upon reaching the summit. I realized my doubt had been my "mountain," as I was perfectly capable of climbing this mountain that lay before us, as we all were.
Presently, I take more consideration of weather conditions in such large scale physical activities. Regardless, there are definitely mental barriers we must overcome before we can even start to climb our mountains.
This has become a philosophy of mine, one carried into all my personal life. When faced with challenges, we can surprise ourselves at what we are capable of accomplishing.
My Katimavik group was on a camping trip in the park for an excursion. Part of our trip included a climb a mountain who's name I fail to recall. After a very wet nights sleep in saturated tents, we came to the base of the mountain slightly damn, tired and not all that enthusiastic. We trudged up the mountain in a quiet stupor.
There was a small rest area with a view of the large mountain ahead of us. The weather hadn't been cooperative and we were warned about hiking in the area with cloudy weather. It was warned that fog could get so thick, you would'nt be able to see where you were walking and go right over a cliff! Our project leader Jill gave us a choice: we could continue in hopes the weather would improve, or we could finish our lunch, call it a day and return to the van.
I pondered the options. I really wanted to climb the mountain, but I was exhausted and didn't feel like walking off a cliff. I had recently created a list of things to-do before I die. This felt like something I could put on the list, and would require me to return to Newfoundland one day to accomplish this. I didn't want this! I looked at the mountain and saw a streak of sun shine through the clouds; it looked like the weather was going to get better. I knew my group didn't want to only come half way either. With a quick concensus, we all agreed to continue.
The weather did indeed improve. We stripped our garbage bag covers, our sweaters and our negative attitudes and hiked up the mountain slowly, but with a fiery determination. This was one of the most challenging things some members of my group had ever done, being very city-oriented folk. Although I had climbed mountains before, this was one of the largest I had ever done. I felt a large load of guilt relieved off my shoulders upon reaching the summit. I realized my doubt had been my "mountain," as I was perfectly capable of climbing this mountain that lay before us, as we all were.
Presently, I take more consideration of weather conditions in such large scale physical activities. Regardless, there are definitely mental barriers we must overcome before we can even start to climb our mountains.
This has become a philosophy of mine, one carried into all my personal life. When faced with challenges, we can surprise ourselves at what we are capable of accomplishing.
Changing weather conditions hopefully
Things are looking better already
Made it!
With support from friends
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