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  • Tag: Mount Si

    • Perseverance

      Posted at 6:20 AM by Brittany, on April 2, 2015

      Last spring I delved into the wide world of hiking. I wrote a post that highlighted some of the random thoughts I had about how hiking can relate to life, and would like to emphasize life lesson number five in this post, including the side note/story.

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      If you chose not to read the post here’s the CliffsNotes version: I ventured to a mountain, and upon my arrival at the top I proudly stood tall while eating a sandwich. I was nearly knocked on my ass by a ballsy bird that tried to steal my food. STEAL.

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      I ventured back to this very same mountain last week, and this time I decided I wanted to share my apple with the birds, but only on MY time – not on theirs. I was determined to have one land on my hand, so I ate my apple and I tried to share.

      I tried, and tried, and tried.

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      Failing with the birds, and failing to see.

      Then I tried again.

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      After standing with my arm extended for a solid 5 minutes, victory was mine.

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      And then victory was his as he stole my apple and flew away.

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      Rude.

      This hike was mentally brutal. The amount of snow that fell overnight was a shock. My day hike shoes are not equipped for snow, slush, and deep puddles of mud. Needless to say my feet were soaked, and my hands were numb.

      My face was so numb as I took this photo I had no idea my nose was leaking.

      My face was also numb, and as I took this photo I had no idea my nose was leaking.

      I never regret summiting a mountain, but sometimes I wish I had the ability to teleport once I’m done enjoying the view from the top. I’m convinced if it weren’t for some hiking poles I would have been crawling to the top. I had zero foot traction.

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      My first time using hiking poles, and I now feel like a real hiker. Perhaps I will invest in some poles of my own, and I think it’s time I buy some waterproof boots if I want to ensure future sensation in my toes. 

      To piggy back off of my last post, this hike was an example of something I (briefly) wanted to quit simply because it was “hard.” I was uncomfortable, cold, and I had thoughts of hot springs and cinnamon rolls dancing in my head. My safety wasn’t threatened, so quitting was not an option. I persevered through the thoughts, just as I did with getting the bird to land on my apple.

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      The lessons of life come in many shapes and sizes, and often present themselves when you least expect them to. I find keeping my mind open, my demeanor calm, and my perseverance strong sets me up to succeed with anything I set my mind to.

      Q: What do you find yourself persevering through most in your daily life? Sometimes I have to work really hard in order to persevere through the time between my meals. 

      b

      | 75 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Life, Mount Si, Snow
    • Mount Si – How Hiking Relates to Life

      Posted at 7:50 AM by Brittany, on June 2, 2014

      I’m not sure where my running bug went, but I don’t care to find it anytime soon. OK, so that’s not entirely true. I still think about running all the time, I just don’t DO IT all the time. Instead I have been filling my soul with the trees and rocks of mountains.

      OH HEY that's me! Standing on a mountain and stuff.

      OH HEY that’s me! Standing on a mountain and stuff.

      I’ve always been able to relate my running endeavors to life, and in all reality any difficult physical activity can probably relate to life in a round about way. Since hiking is my adventure of choice these days it just seems fitting to reflect on how a difficult climb can mean so much.

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      Mt. Si –  4 miles up, 4 miles down. Beautiful 8 mile hike.

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      Last Thursday I made my way to a new hiking location, which will be a common theme on the blog during the summer months. I’ve been lucky enough to find a couple friends that are willing to hike weekly.

      Life Lesson One: Conquering a new mountain is like letting new and exciting changes occur in your everyday life. Getting out of your comfort zone is good for the mind, body, AND soul.

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      These woods were quiet, peaceful, and aside from conversation with my hiking partner, they offered alone time with thoughts.

      Life Lesson Two: Quieting the outside world, and learning to quiet the mind is powerful. Chaos internally causes chaos externally.

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      Sometimes the climb gets tough, this one was moderate, and while my heart-rate spiked I never felt like I needed to stop. Keep moving.

      Life Lesson Three: Pushing through tough times often leads to beautiful things, or views. Don’t give into the desire to quit.

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      Life Lesson Four: Sometimes making new friends happens when you least expect it. Embrace and delight in those around you everyday.

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      I was so scared...

      I was so scared…

      Life Lesson Five: Curve-balls are common, and being mentally prepared to handle them confidently will make a world of difference. You cannot prepare for everything. Things like changes at work, or a ballsy bird trying to steal your well deserved sandwich.

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      Quick side note/story. That bird ^^^^ legit tried to steal my sandwich and scared me so hard I almost fell. I was in such a zone of pure bliss due to finding the peak/eating that I didn’t even see it coming.

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      Life Lesson Six: Perspective is everything. Change your mind, change your life. Sometimes it’s not what you see, but how you see it.

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      Life Lesson Seven: In the end, after fighting and climbing to the top of the hike or closing the page of a difficult chapter, you reward yourself, because you’re worth every slice of chocolate cake and tofu stir fry. You’re tougher and stronger than you first might think.

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      I actually ate this BEFORE the hike, because obviously cake and coffee is the right choice for fueling...

      I actually ate this BEFORE the hike, because obviously cake and coffee is the right choice for fueling…

      Life Lesson Eight: Never.Give.Up. Never stop exploring, and never stop growing. Fight until you reach the top, and life will find a way of sparkling and gleaming in a way you’d never expected.

      Lately my days have looked like a unicorn sharted glitter all over me.

      Q: How does hiking/running/swimming/anything physical (keep it PG guys) relate to life for you?

      atterned-n

      | 56 Comments Tagged Explore, Hike, Hiking, Life, Mount Si, Mountain, Nature
    • BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long bike rides, deep connections, exploration, and lots of cucumbers.
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