Love this Dru. Beautifully told and rings so true. It's not about the summits and achievements. It's about listening to what you truly need and value. Thanks!
I love this. You had to go through what you did, it wasn't a waste, and of course, you were in great shape when you figured out how you wanted to climb/hike. I'm hitting my elder years, and am discovering the delight of slowing down and looking/watching/waiting. I just wish I was still strong enough to climb a mountain.
I'm a big fan of slowing down and looking, as you might be able to tell. Are there mountaintops and hills with viewpoints near you that are accessible without walking? Not being able to climb doesn't mean you should enjoy the view.
Ah such a great flip - to go to the mountain and NOT climb it. Makes so much sense, and gets away form all that Victorian (?) conquest stuff - where everything had to be 'conquered'. Yours is a revolutionary approach!
Victoria indeed. Throw in some European imperialism and masculine individualism for good measure, though the idea of "man vs nature" stretches back to the Enlightenment, and arguably as far back as the Judeo-Christian injunction to dominion over nature. Worth saying that plenty of contemporary mountain climbers actively stand against the language of conquest, but old ideas get stuck in our language long after they've outlived their usefulness.
Love this Dru. Beautifully told and rings so true. It's not about the summits and achievements. It's about listening to what you truly need and value. Thanks!
I agree!
I love this. You had to go through what you did, it wasn't a waste, and of course, you were in great shape when you figured out how you wanted to climb/hike. I'm hitting my elder years, and am discovering the delight of slowing down and looking/watching/waiting. I just wish I was still strong enough to climb a mountain.
I'm a big fan of slowing down and looking, as you might be able to tell. Are there mountaintops and hills with viewpoints near you that are accessible without walking? Not being able to climb doesn't mean you should enjoy the view.
Oh yes, it's my MO as well. Recently more on the beach and by the river than the mountains, but we have GREAT mountains here in Oregon.
Ah such a great flip - to go to the mountain and NOT climb it. Makes so much sense, and gets away form all that Victorian (?) conquest stuff - where everything had to be 'conquered'. Yours is a revolutionary approach!
Victoria indeed. Throw in some European imperialism and masculine individualism for good measure, though the idea of "man vs nature" stretches back to the Enlightenment, and arguably as far back as the Judeo-Christian injunction to dominion over nature. Worth saying that plenty of contemporary mountain climbers actively stand against the language of conquest, but old ideas get stuck in our language long after they've outlived their usefulness.
beautiful journey. Mountains are great teachers. Down here in Peru they call the spirit of the mountain Apu. A grandfather.
That's a beautifully relational way of seeing mountains, as esteemed elders.