There was a staffer with an adventure group who really, REALLY disliked me. It was never to the point of open conflict because we were both professional adult role-models to a group of youth. It went on for several years. In the corner of the eye, over lunch requests, in the pressure cooker of a 15-passenger van for several hours an outing, the smolder and glare was always there. Relief came on a rigorous trail. This trail is a real trickster, short, with an amazing view of a jewel-like Adirondack Lake and an open summit for sunning and picnicking which all the trail guides rate as A+. An inviting glade and a slight downhill grade lead you in 1.5 minutes to the Rigor.
This trail goes up at a visually daunting 45-degree angle for miles, says your brain. The map says that first pitch is only 300m, but it is basically a 30-story muddy staircase you can see all the way up to the top of. On the third trip up this trail with this staffer it was unusually hot and muggy for the season. The first outing of the summer, the kids had desk-bods and suffered from video game withdrawal, while I hauled my dadbod and seasonal allergies up the pitch with the staff in the caboose carrying lunch parts and extra water.
“Beautiful Day for it!”
Silence. Keep climbing.
“Allergies are starting early this year”
Silence. Plod on.
“I don’t know about y’all, but this first pitch gets in my head and kicks my butt every. Single. Time.”
Explosive echoing shocking laughter from everyone but one. That one plaintively cried “you don’t ever stop, and you feel nothing!” which couldn’t be further from the truth. The Anger and Anxiety and Aggression blister that chafed between us for years wore away immediately. We grinned and giggled and summited easily after that, even though the pitch below the top is much steeper, rockier, and slipperier! You have to power through, occasionally. Rigor and application for the win!
I guess I break a Guide Rule by admitting weakness, but I will always be honest with my clients and it will always Always ALWAYS pay dividends. There is so much that goes into being in the ADKs, and if I don’t have the skills or techniques you need, I will always recommend someone more appropriate. We are out there experiencing this extraordinary place together
Rigor. The worst part of my chosen profession is 100% backstage. Social media? Oof. Yearly insurance and licensing? I embrace it! Semiannual trainings, workshops, client scouting? I do what I do because I want to live my life 100% outdoors, but most recently my pre-rigor requires indoor living. Gym time? Necessary. Meditation and Yoga classes? Super helpful. Learning everything I can every day to better aid clients? ***gle is helpful, but you don’t get the experience. All of this boils down to a lot of off-stage prep. The most rigorous part, not climbing a slippery trail without grousing. Your analog experience with our caves, cliffs, creeks and rivers, sky to gaze and a trail to trek, is pursuable and achievable. Going mushrooming now! More(l) on that next week.
