snow skills clinic

SUNDAY JUNE 12
Early morning - 5:30 start at trailhead; did a half hike of Mt. Si and some yoga before heading to Alpental in Snoqualimie Pass for a day of glacier travel instruction with the 3 Summits team leads.

Snow skills clinic.  At Alpental, Snoqualmie Pass.  Five hours of basic glacier travel instruction on self-arrest, tying effective knots, group rope travel, and z pulley crevasse rescue.  Self-arrest practice was fun. We practiced stopping ourselves from a couple positions: feet first, face first (lying on belly and back).  I appreciated both the solitude and community experience of being part of a rope team.  We were spaced far enough apart that I had personal space to be with my internal experience, and simultaneously felt connected to my team.  Glacier travel requires mindfulness, concentration, and attention to detail, among the myriad of technical skills required for safe and successful trips.  I had a conversation with my friend Brenda on Saturday about this very subject; she called them ‘soft skills’ and ‘hard skills.’  Brenda has a lot of experience with both climbing and teaching people how to climb.  She commented that it is harder to both learn and teach the ‘soft skills’, that mindfulness, trusting intuition, having patience for varying speeds and abilities of team members.  I was surprised today that I was patient with myself (most importantly) and my group.   I’ve had concerns over the past couple of weeks that I would be unhappy with the group dynamic because other people wouldn’t pull their weight, or would somehow ‘slow me down.’  I cultivated some humility today, and, instead, felt grateful to be part of the 2011 3 Summits group.  I certainly can’t climb Mt. Rainier alone with my current (lack of) skills.  Really, when I examine my irritation, the source is my inner doubt and fear - wanting to 'go hard' because somehow that would mean something about my worth as a person.  Also, being with a group mirrors more precisely what my skill level and fitness actually is - there will be some slower, some faster.  Quicker learners, slower learners.  More technical skill, less technical skill. When I'm alone, I don't have that reflection to see what is going on inside of me; how I feel about myself and how I roll with the waves in my mind.  I also felt very grateful for the volunteer leaders; Eddie, Brett, Cal, Andrew.  They volunteered their time and expertise to the novice team because they love mountaineering and want to share their experience with us.  Inspired me to be more giving and free with my knowledge and skills, even those soft skills.  I can certainly be more patient, more flexible, more compassionate, more truthful.  All in all, a fabulous day in the mountains.

just me

Mailbox Peak.  June 4.  Sunny, clear day.  Sharpest view I've seen from the Cascades.  From the summit, I could see the Space Needle.  Mount Rainier was in full glory.  Mountains humble me.  "Our choice is the song of realization.  And today's realization is tomorrow's manifestation.  Again, tomorrow's manifestation is only the beginning of a forward and upward and inward journey.  Today, on the strength of our inner choice, we move forward, upward, and inward to reach our chosen destination.  But today's destination will only be our starting point for our father, higher, and more fulfilling goal of tomorrow.  There is no fixed goal for we are all evolving.  In the process of evolution we are running, flying, and diving towards an ever transcending, deepening, and widening goal.  To run farther, fly higher, and dive deeper is the only choice that each individual should consciously, devotedly, unmistakably, and unconditionally make."  Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007)

Swakane Canyon

Birthday hike with Jenee.  Swakane Canyon is located along the Columbia River, near Wenatchee, WA.  From the trailhead onward, gorgeous view of rolling mossy green hills and clear blue water.   I kept thinking and saying out loud "this is so beautiful.  Incredible.  We are so lucky."  Last night in Advanced Exploration at The Samarya Center, Molly initiated discussion about the idea of connection, and how small actions we all make could either contribute to or mitigate connection with others.  The rich conversation led my mind to wander to ways I enhance and stunt connection and growth for my spiritual life.   Today, spending hours in nature amongst wild flowers and chirping crickets generated immense love and stillness inside of me.  And, there is a converse. I have spent many a mountain climbs feeling irritable and totally disconnected from whatever grandeur created the ground I treaded.  The difference?  Intention, perhaps.  I chose to spend my 27th birthday with a cherished friend on a new trail because I wanted to explore an area of Washington new to me, and be outside of the city.  Other times, I have sought solace in the mountains to escape my chaotic and unpredictable mind.  It seems that when I am using nature as an escape, rather than an experience, my time is less enjoyable.  I'm still trying to 'get somewhere', rather than 'be somewhere.'   Most ideas lead me back to examining my spiritual life, which is the basis for all of my other relationships.  If I don't feel connected to the self of me that is outside of my mind, I have a very hard time maintaing balance and equanimity in my interactions with other people.