Many Ways to Climb a Mountain - Part 2

PART TWO

Of all the ways up a mountain there is the simple act of one foot in front of the other.

Mountains of Life: Overcoming Personal Challenges

When climbing a mountain (personal or any) there's an entering into a certain uncertainty. Often to reach a peak at the right time mountaineers will leave in the night. It seems counter-intuitive to leave on a trail in the dark, but it is deliberate and it's all about right timing. Good headlights and reflective gear is key, and for mental and emotional safety is embracing the unknown.

To deal with difficulties making connections between things becomes an important way to use abstract thought to handle life's challenges. Both the ones we intend to take on and the ones that pop up out of the blue as an unplanned life or business quiz.

Like many, I have climbed metaphorical mountains, often, when not expecting to. I've learned to carry a light (also metaphorically) by surrounding myself with things that make me feel bright. That way when having to travel suddenly in the black of an empty sky I have some readiness. My metaphysical Go-Bag I would call it. Others would say that and a Mary Poppins bag. I do like to carry many handy things regularly. While I find myself much of the time weighed down with over preparedness, I also tend towards simple minimalism on opposing days and seek to employ the art of balancing between these spectrums.

Learning to pack light is a lesson in refining and redefining what is necessary (solves real problems), what is superfluous (nice to have), and what I'm willing to carry. This is always the experience of the user figuring out what works at the fine edges of where comfort and discomfort and the good enough intersect.

In climbing mountains there will be uncomfortable moments. Even the best made plans are laid into the changing ways of life as moving and transforming to be washed by the weather.

“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Unknown

Embracing The Unknown

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When first in the dark of unknowing. Take a breath. Pause.

On the exhale, release the resistance to fear, and relax, as best you can. Center and connect to yourself. It makes a difference.

Pause again. Enjoy the feeling. Nervousness is anticipation and excitement in disguise!

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Embracing the unknown is more enjoyable and safer when the route has been studied, the climate and topography acknowledged, and the unknown brought into consideration. Otherwise travel in the light and have time on your side. Which is harder in the darker days of the year. The most important thing to pack is a willingness in goals and intention. These will escort you through the tough times, holding priorities in view.

Willingness can become stubbornness, which can transform into tenacity, keeping things in check with instinct, intuition, and science (i.e. safety, data, information) can help keep this from becoming an obsession. Equally steady footwear, proper layers, tools of the trade, and careful steps aid in steep territory that is ripe with rough terrain.

Instinct is the very real messages from your body about its environment informed by evolution that can be innate and trained. It's one reason why self care, health, mental wellness and mindset/neuroscience work are so important. Since bodies like to be comfortable there's an art to pushing, and the right clothing and gear certainly help. Intuition is more subtle and interferes with reason without explanation, it is an extended sensory perception about a situation, experience, etc. that can be cultivated and harnessed as a superpower

Just like mountains have zones, so do we. Flow state being the zone of ease within a challenge. When your body knows what to do as the mind rises above superfluous thinking. This is when we can become one with our task, one with the mountain.

Pushing through has more rewards than can be counted in one breath or even four. Mountains hold both the mystic magic and the mythic lore.

In our work at Mystic Peaks Studio, we work on projects that support people in climbing and coming down mountains both physically and metaphysically. From apparel and hardgoods in mountaineering, snowboarding, yoga and meditation, sleep, plus art and creative adventure. Imaginal journeys are an integral part of the work supported in the play and the rest.

There's an art, a science and the business of discovery meeting the craft of development that has phases and methodologies of convention and mostly not. Even though through both the work of creating and maintaining this studio I've encountered my own career Everest summit, of sorts, I'm planning another series of expeditions. But first is some rest to prepare the body mind spirit for the next journey.

This was part two, read part one here. A new post in this series is coming soon... stay tuned!

Happy Trails,

Nichola @ MPS

“There are two kinds of climbers: those who climb because their heart sings when they’re in the mountains, and all the rest.” — Alex Lowe 

About Mystic Peaks Studio: MPS specializes in co-creating innovative, sustainable products across adventure, sport, wellness, home, and performance categories, focusing on apparel, accessories, fitness tools, and outdoor gear. The studio emphasizes brand integrity, ecological and social responsibility, and a collaborative approach that blends customer empathy with technical expertise to deliver mission-driven, market-ready solutions tailored to client needs and values.