“Mountains are not Stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.”
- Anatoli Boukreev
Dear Human people,
Mountains are fascinating and beautiful, and sometimes, they will call you and I'm gonna be straight with you, you should not ignore the call. You should pack your bag and go. Of course, these are just my own personal reasons but I'd like to share them with you:
1. It's good for your body
This one is pretty obvious I think, but it's good to keep it in mind sometimes. I don't know where you work but if like me, you spend must of your time seating in front of a computer, then yes, hiking, climbing, running or just walking is great for your health!
Going on a 2 hours walk or a 4 days trek, it all depends on your schedule and your level of fitness but the good news is: the more you do it, the fitter you get!
The first time I went on a hike in the mountains, I was slow and breathing heavily but I got better at it and it feels great to see the results. Let's not forget, how nice it is to be out of the city and breathe fresh clean air again!
2. It's also good for your mind
Mountains are my favourite place to be! I always feel at peace with myself in the mountains. I don't feel judge or pressured to be someone I'm not, I just feel free and unrestrained. You can turn off your cellphone (you probably don't have reception anyway!) and just take it all in: the beauty, the calm, the raw nature, this is how you are meant to live!
Wild and free! Mountains allow you to disconnect with whatever might stress you in your daily life.
Work? Deadlines? Relationship issues? It doesn't matter here, all that matters is putting a foot in front of the other, making sure you don't trip and fall. It is the perfect time to leave your worries at home, no space for that in your backpack anyway! You can recharge your batteries and feel better, enjoy the quiet silence and serenity of the mountains!
3. It's a good way to deeper your human connections
Not everyone likes to hike alone (and unless you are really experienced, it is probably better to go with someone).
Bring a friend, your boyfriend/girlfriend, a family member or your tinder date (why not?!) and go in the mountains. People connect on a deeper level there, you work out, you sweat, you don't play games, you are yourself.
It is a totally different human interaction and sometimes, all you need is to go climb a mountain with someone to realise that after all, we are all humans, all perfect and imperfect at the same time, all tiny little creatures in comparison with the majestic beauty of mountains.
I truly believe that being stuck in a little bivouac during a snowstorm and sharing a hot meal with someone is the best way to resolve half of the world's conflicts...Don't fight, hike!!!
4. Mountains prepare you for everything
Okay, maybe not everything, but mountains do teach you a few useful things like patience, self control, self reliance and resilience. Mountains are not to be messed with, you can't go out on your own unprepared, the weather changes quickly, it can be hazardous and the path to take isn't always clear so it is important to be prepared!
If you dare to enter their magical kingdom, you should know what to expect and you will be rewarded, that's for sure! Knowing what to do in case of emergency, being confident to deal with an unexpected event while staying calm, all of this is vital when wandering in the mountains. Personally, I've learned that sometimes the road is long and steep, you may want to give up but if you focus on the positive, on the outcome, you realise it is worth it and you find the strength in yourself. Finally, you see that you are capable of archiving anything and on the summit, you might be tired but you are happy and proud!
5. You will value the environment (hopefully!)
I really hope a little excursion in the alpine wilderness will give you an opportunity to feel closer to nature and help you grasp the importance of protecting it! Don't take this for granted! Our planet is our only home and we must preserve it!
I'm sure you agree that it is so nice to be able to hike in a pristine environment, not tripping on plastics bags and human waste. But it isn't always the norm unfortunately, I've been on hikes where I had to pick up trash the whole time, it wasn't that enjoyable, it made me feel sad. Please remember to "Leave No Trace" when you're enjoying the outdoors!
You have more reasons? Please share them with me! I'm always looking for more reasons to go in the mountains! And stay tune for my next adventure: Hiking to the Wedgemount Lake! Coming in August!
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