Thoughts of a Modern-Day Mountain Man:A Field Guide to Leadership in the Great Outdoors Chapter 35

This is the thirty-fifth of a weekly blog series that will focus on leadership in the outdoors and how to get the most from the least. Even though the title is called, “Thoughts of a Modern-Day Mountain Man”, it will hopefully cover topics that are useful to everyone.

Chapter 35: A quiet place to reflect.

“High Mountain Lake”

Hidden by the mountains deep,

away from common sight.

The thought it brings, the peace it rings,

will share focus for the good fight.

Carved by His hands in rocks so high,

a plan and design infinitely divine.

Crystal blue surrounded by fields of white,

this place, this time, displays His awesome might.

When trials and troubles confound our life,

the reflection that it gifts will give us sight.

A journey close or an adventure far,

the distance knows no bounds.

When peace is needed, His love is given,

A quiet place will be found.

-M.D.M.M.

When every decision that is made comes to the razor thin line between life and death, having the ability to focus on the task at-hand is one of the most important skills that a modern-day mountain man can possess. Being able to see every minute detail and process incoming information with almost perfect clarity to anticipate problems and provide actionable solutions to every problem that can arise will help ensure the program and the people involved are perpetually moving in the right direction. Giving attention to what is needed, where it is needed, and when it is needed takes a great toll on any person’s physical and mental stamina. No matter how resilient or mentally tough a modern-day mountain man fancies himself to be, time must be intentionally set aside for solitude, reflection, and re-energizing. The human brain can only process and handle so much information before the proverbial mental hard drive is full and needs a reboot. This is where a special place or thought process becomes very beneficial to help the healing and regeneration process begin.

Before Jesus set out on His final quest as a man to overcome death and the devil, He retreated to a place of solitude and preparation to get His body and mind to a condition where it could endure the pain and suffering to come. We can use Christ’s intentionality as a great example of how to prepare ourselves for the strain of outdoor ministry and the stress and hardships that will undoubtedly arise throughout years of faithful service. The proper decisions that must routinely be made in the backcountry and the level of focus that is required to be a competent and consummate outdoor professional takes much from us in regards to mental and physical prowess. Rarely do our decisions as professionals affect only us, often they directly impact our entire group, program, or facility. We must be mentally and physically astute to provide the level of care and leadership that is expected of us as outdoor leaders.

Many times throughout the years, while being an active part of an outdoor program or facility, I have worked so hard for so long that I had lost track of what time or day it actually was. Looking back at experiences like these, I now realize how dangerous and selfish it actually was to allow conditions to deteriorate to this level. I put myself, my family, and my groups in harm’s way by losing focus. There was no possible way my mind could have processed information in a positive manner had an emergency situation arose; my focus had been lost and my mind was not functioning at the highest capacity. At that time and place I believed I could personally go on and on, with a boundless energy level and enthusiasm unmatched by any other known person. This certainly was naivety and lack of good judgement. Finally taking time to reflect after reaching the end of my ability to persevere, allowed me to process how I had enabled the situation to become so dire. From that point on, being intentional about taking time to rest and reflect would ultimately shape and direct my journey towards becoming a prepared and knowledgeable outdoor professional. As I have aged, my duties and responsibilities to my family and my jobs have grown and I have had to develop and refine a more structured approach to take time for myself, to rest, and reflect on preparing for life’s next battle. This is in no way a sign of weakness, but instead a hallmark of a dedicated professional.

I personally find solo hiking to be my preferred way to carve out time for myself and think, especially if this hike is leading me in the direction of a quiet isolated destination where I can forget about the cares and worries of the world for awhile. I have been to countless numbers of high and remote alpine lakes, a few in particular which will always hold a special place in my heart and be a place I can always find myself again. Seeing such a crystal blue lake completely surrounded by high rock walls always helps to put things in perspective for me. No matter how many times I see scenery such as this, it always serves as a reminder about how great our Creator is and how well-designed the natural world is. Being able to see in person how magnificent and significant the scale of His creation is, always aids in helping my troubles melt away like the glaciers and snowfields that often flank such lakes. I always return from hikes to destinations like these recharged and ready to face life’s challenges head-on.

A Quiet Place.

It certainly does not have to be a quiet secluded place high in the mountains to find peace and tranquility. For some people this process may involve time spent in prayer, for others it may mean time spent biking, jogging or swimming, while others may prefer reading a book while enjoying a nice cup of coffee. One of the greatest gifts God gave mankind was diversity of thoughts; what one person may enjoy or do does not have to apply or be enjoyed by others, what works for one person may not work for another. We were all created differently and that is a good thing, but we all need to take time for ourselves. One of the most serene and peaceful places I have experienced in all of my adventures and travels is sitting on the front porch swing of Mrs. Modern-Day Mountain Woman’s parents’ home in Illinois. Looking out at the farm fields and trees gently blowing in the summer wind is one of the most relaxing experiences I have ever had, there is no real sense of time passing. This is especially true during indescribable sunsets over the Midwest prairies. It is in this exact spot where I am currently writing this chapter. Take time to find a place or activity to rest and recharge, so you can return to the fight, recharged and ready to take-on any challenges ahead.