Colorado 14ers – Journey Before Destination

When hiking Colorado 14ers, those mountains higher than 14,000 feet elevation, I have much thinking time. I spent 8 hours Monday on Mt Bierstadt and 7.25 hours Tuesday on Mts. Democrat, Cameron, and Lincoln. After 9 weeks in Europe, 1.5 weeks in Atlanta, why on earth was I’m climbing 14ers less than 24 hours back in altitude? My brother has a goal of ascending to Mt. Everest’s base camp in 2014 and he asked me to join him. We’ll see what 2014 brings (lindy hop Nepal?), but he needed altitude training and I had limited time, so we fit climbing mountains into our schedules.

These were my brother’s first fourteeners and I was reminded again of the struggles and difficulties associated with summiting these peaks. While climbing these mountains, you deal with freezing temperatures, strong winds, snowy and icy conditions, altitude, lack of oxygen, frozen and same tasting food, and more. Why do I do this?

It’s about the destination. That marvelous view when you’re standing 14,000+ feet about sea level and admire the surrounding mountains comprising a gorgeous landscape. You’re on top of the world now. Every time I hike one of these mountains, I’m guaranteed to question my sanity and drive, but it is journey before destination.

On my journey down during Day 2, I was thinking about some dance advice I’ve received and, in turn, preached. It’s about the journey, not the destination. I received this advice because I rushed my basics or looked like I had a master plan (I did). I was thinking that this advice only partially tells the story as I related it to my 14er adventures. Then I read this article about useless dance advice back at our hotel (marvelous timing). Then I read more “The Way of Kings” by Brandon Sanderson. The First Ideal of the Knights Radiants includes the saying, “journey before destination.”

Without the destination, the journey is pointless. Sure, you may have enjoyed the journey, taken the scenery in, but did you finish anything? Stand atop the mountain? A close Denver friend was lamenting how leads aren’t finishing their movement nor finishing patterns. They’re aimless. From my own experiences, I notice follows that aren’t finishing their movement and are merely stuck on autopilot, circling around the leader. Yes, I want you to enjoy the journey, those in between moments between steps and beats. I also want you to arrive at your destination(s) on this long road trip we call a dance.

Overall, I think the dance advice of “it’s about the journey, not the destination” is partially useless. It only tells part of the story. It’s good for beginners that rush the dance. It’s good for leaders who get caught up in their master plan. But as intermediate plus dancers, we need to enjoy every moment and really finish our steps and movements.

Those are my thoughts. If you’re ever in Colorado and want to hike a 14er, Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder’s Chatauqua Park, or drive up a 14er, let me know.