During my recent sabbatical, I was fortunate enough to tackle a Grand Canyon hike with a close friend.  Following the amazing trip, I reflected on what takeaways and learnings came from this time.  As with all life events, reflecting on these seemingly simple experiences can create insights that make the next experience (and life in general) all the better.

My friend Mike and I hiked the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in early February 2023.  We began our hike in the dark on South Kaibab Trail down into the canyon to Phantom Ranch.   Phantom Ranch is a famous campground and cabin area in the Canyon that can only be accessed by strenuous hiking or mules.  There is a rustic canteen there to buy lemonade, small souvenirs or other necessities before taking the hike back up to the Rim.

We continued our hike after the prerequisite Country Time lemonade.  We returned along the more well traveled Bright Angel Trail.  This trail began with a meandering hike along the river and a creek before the intense last four miles of elevation increase to the top.  19 miles and over 5,000 feet of elevation in one day.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather to enjoy the experience.

Here are the four key lessons I learned from the trail.

Be Prepared

As a former Eagle Scout, I still remember the Be Prepared motto (and, of course, the corny song that went with it).  It was never more present than this hike.  This was not a hike for the feint of heart.  I wasn’t nearly as physically prepared as I wanted to be but the equipment preparation and logistics maximized the return.  We had perfect Microspikes (attachments to your hiking boots supporting ice and snow hiking).  We had great trekking poles to help spread the effort to our upper body as well as our legs.  We had the right layers to support the varying temperatures (4 degrees to start…50 degrees at the river….25 degrees when completing).  We had the right nutrition and hydration.  We had Body Glide (and used extensively) to reduce or eliminate potential blisters.  All of this led to maximal outcome (both performance and experience)

This is a reminder in life and in career that the time you plan, invest, and prepare will return dividends.  Plan for worst case scenarios and build contingency plans to help address them.  This will ensure both the best performance and the greatest satisfaction (and comfort) when those are achieved.

Don’t Always Heed the Warning

The sign above was one we saw every few miles on our hike into and out of the Canyon.  It is a graphic visual strongly discouraging people from doing exactly what we were doing.  Don’t do this hike.  It is too strenuous.  It requires pinnacle fitness (which is certainly not me).  Stop.  Turn around.

What isn’t evident upon first glance is there is fine print.  That says the extensive heat impacts dehydration and is the largest risk.  Being prepared helped ensure we did this in the winter where the heat wasn’t an issue and we prepared with plenty of water to ensure we limited the risk of dehydration.

There are moments that heeding the warning is critical.  You should never avoid a warning.  Read the fine print.  Know how it is relevant to you.  Understand the risk and mitigation of this warning.  But don’t be afraid to not heed the warning.

My family recently did an Escape Room where we all had to sign waivers as part of the experience. These waivers provided warnings (claustrophobia, anxiety, injury, etc.) and then absolved the company of any responsibility.  If my family had heeded the warnings of a simple Escape Room waiver, we would have missed a wonderful experience with my daughters and wife.  If Mike and I had heeded the warning signs on this hike, we would have missed wonderful sunrises, views, and conversation.

Understand the warnings in life about your career….your health….your relationships.  But don’t be afraid to charge right through the warning when you feel prepared, understand the risk, mitigated those risks where possible and feel confident the reward is worth that risk.

Find Your Tribe

This hike was a delayed hike I had originally planned with another close friend Dietrich.  It is Dietrich’s gear in the picture above.  This was his original idea that he so graciously invited me to come along on.  Schedules and conflicts meant I had to reschedule with another member of my ‘tribe.’  It was reminder of the importance of a support system.

Dietrich helped ensure we were well prepared.  He helped ensure we had mitigated our risk with advice, tips, gear lending and words of encouragement.

Mike was there to accompany me along the journey.  He was there for encouragement and support.  He created a greater experience through fellowship.

All too often, especially as adults, we don’t cultivate these relationships.  I know I am guilty of this as well.  I don’t take the time to grow these relationships but they are there.  Folks along the proverbial trail with us.  Whether it is through our children’s youth sports, our local religious community, our co-workers or our childhood friends.  We often are along the life hike with these people and we don’t take the time to celebrate, commune and be present with them.

Find your tribe.  Find your people.  And invest in those relationships.  They are almost always worth it.

Make Time

In 2010 I made a Bucket List that I had completely forgotten about.  I randomly came across it in January.  There were only eight things on the list and I had accomplished only one in 13 years.  That item was a commitment to a Boundary Trip with the family.  I was fortunate to tackle that trip multiple times in recent years with my oldest two daughters.  Until this hike which was also on that list that was all I had crossed off.  But…

The Boundary Waters trip, similar to the Grand Canyon trip, was sourced from an encouragement of others.  I have always wanted to do both but needed someone else to initiate and push me to actually take the time to do it…Why?

Why do we need others to force us to take time to do the things we have dreamed about doing?  Why do we need others to plan or execute that dream and have us come along?

The Grand Canyon trip was another reminder that you need to take that time.  Don’t hesitate.  Plan ahead.  Don’t plan ahead.  Make a list of things you aspire to do and go out and do them.

This is equally as important at work.  If there are goals, career development, entrepreneurial visions…write them down.  And make time to achieve them.  Don’t wait for someone else or event to force the time or the dream to happen.

 

I look forward to the next time on the trail….and more lessons to be learned.