Look Down and Soon Enough, You’re at the Peak
Last weekend, I was in San Luis Obispo, California, a beautiful college town along the Central Coast of California. At the hotel where I stayed, there was a brochure with a list of recommended hikes in the outskirts of the town. The weather was a balmy 70 degrees despite the fact that it was late December. Deciding I would jumpstart my post-holiday exercise plan, I slipped on my sneakers and headed off to hike a local trail.
Considering the holiday food coma I was still under, I chose Johnson’s Ranch, an ‘easy to moderate’ hike but thanks to the mis-guided directions of my GPS, I ended up at Bishop’s Peak instead.
Bishop’s Peak is the tallest (of course it is…) mountain of the Nine Morro’s, or Sisters, that include the famous Morro Rock. It gets its name because of the three points at the top which resemble a bishop’s ceremonial headpiece.
Sitting in my car looking up at the 1,546 foot high volcanic plug, I questioned the ease or moderation of this particular trail. With an alternate path to the peak referred to as “Oh Man” and rated a ‘Scramble Class 4’, I decided Bishop’s Peak deserved a “Hard to Yikes” ranking.
I stepped out of my car and contemplated the trailhead, which began in a very windy open field and ascended well over 600 feet within the first half mile. A large section of the path was at a 30 degree angle (but looked more like 90). Thus, the Yikes. And then there were the numerous, narrow, and rocky switchbacks to reach the top.
But I was here and darned if I was going to let a 1,546 volcanic rock scare me.
So, off I went.
About 50 yards in, the wind whipping at a brisk 35 mph and my quads aching, I hit the steep part. I glanced up and all I could see was the seemingly insurmountable climb ahead of me. Wow, it was steep. Really, really steep. Intimidatingly steep.
But, when I looked down, I couldn’t see how daunting the hill actually was. And that made the hike so much easier.
Soon enough, I was sitting on one of the three rocky peaks looking down into the valley below. I’d done it. I hadn’t let the ‘big picture’ overwhelm and frighten me into giving up.
Instead, I’d conquered a mountain. I exercised my heart, lungs, and limbs. I reveled in the beautiful creation of Mother Nature. I chatted with fellow hikers on my way up and down. I’d done it and I felt great!
The next time you find yourself standing at the base of your insurmountable ‘mountain’, be it literal or figurative, look down, put one foot in front of the other and hike. You, too, will get to the top and enjoy the amazing view.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ~ Lao Tzu
