🌄 As a lifelong adventurer with 25+ years of experience in the sporting goods industry, I help hikers, canoeists, and wilderness travelers maximize their experiences.
When I was 13, I learned a valuable lesson from my parents that I'll never forget:
Respect the mountain. 🌄
Here's what happened:
One summer, I went on a challenging hike with my parents. We planned to summit my first 3,500 m (~11,500 ft.) peak in the Austrian Alps. As we climbed higher and higher, my excitement turned into exhaustion.
My parents noticed and gently reminded me to pace myself, drink water, have a snack, and respect the mountain.
My dad taught me to read and understand maps and terrain. My mom taught me how to keep my body's energy level high. When we reached the summit, I realized the importance of preparation and humility.
The view from the summit was breathtaking.
At the time, it was a hard lesson to learn, no kidding.
But I carried this lesson with me on my hikes ever since.
And I'm grateful, in hindsight, to my parents.