“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.”
I started climbing mountains when I was young, beginning with the foothills behind my house. After I graduated college and found myself with more time and resources I began hiking and camping in the backcountry of the Wasatch and Uintah ranges. I noticed that every time I hiked, stress from my day slowly melted away and the chatter of my thoughts eventually gave way to thoughts about goals, adventure, love. As I surrounded myself more and more with whispering leaves, large roots holding up wise tress, and mountain peaks giving way to views of amazement, I noticed that something unique arose in me when I spent time in the mountains. It was a similar feeling to listening to an emotional piece of piece. What I noticed, was that this feeling was both a longing and a sense of fulfillment and connection.
We go about most our lives longing for connection. I found that at the top of a peak, that longing was filled.
Even though hurt or unanswered questions didn’t completely dissipate, it was this feeling of connection and meaning that I felt, that kept me coming back for more. There was a peak I climbed recently with some friends, Ruth Mountain, that drew this point home for me. I was the first to reach the peak and for a few moments I had this incredible space to myself. I looked around and all I saw were 360 degree views of other mountaintops, valleys and rivers. No other human was in sight. I felt connected to the divine. I felt connected to my best self. I felt connected to beauty.
And that is why I climb mountains.
