New Heights

I won’t try and hide the fact that I’m basically on a giant vacation. Seeing natural wonders, no work, climbing, camping, lounging, exploring, meeting incredible people. Yet this is somewhat of a facade, a way to make internal growth and reflection more palatable — and achievable. The US highway system paving the way for deep introspection, not just convenient fossil fueled travel.

Something I’ve always found myself relying on is a good plan. I always thought one found freedom through planning — do all the hard work, thought & considerations, up front — then let yourself bask in the glow of a beautifully executed plan. No need for decisions, it’s all been decided! While that is the idealized outcome, things often don’t go to plan. That has certainly been the case for this trip so far:

• I originally planned to start in Kentucky
• I explicitly told myself I wouldn’t be anywhere close to Michigan (when looking at climbing options)
• I didn’t want to sleep in hotels — 90% outside
• I planned on climbing at least 50% of days, not a single day of climbing yet

When constructing a plan (or any sort of idea) you typically start with a certain set of assumptions. For example, my assumptions on this trip:

• South East is more conductive to my reflection
  • Because it feels more like home
• Toughing it out in the woods will force me to figure things out
• Sleep outside
• Climb as much as possible

These sort of initial assumptions can quickly, and without realizing, turn into manufactured boundaries, limiting what is possible or even considered as possible. As I found myself facing abnormal cold, way more north than I expected, and bleeding money on shitty hotels, I started clinging even harder to these self-imposed ideas of what the trip should be:

• I need to climb
• I need to sleep outside
• I need to seek natural seclusion

With the universe not cooperating, I kept trying to force these ideas upon myself. Willing my plan into action. So I looked at going to Texas. Well, I didn’t want to, but it meets my core criteria. Climbing, camping, secluded. Yet I found myself not excited by this proposition. I didn’t want to go to Texas, the park was oddly strict on climbing rules, the camping was pricey , and it still was only highs of 35. Not exactly camping weather. Finding myself extending another night in Keokuk — what am I even doing right now?

Another “wall” I put up for myself was “I’m gonna go to Lake Tahoe when it’s warm”. There isn’t much of a reason for this — I just wanted to be there when it’s warm! With all the above going through my mind as I freeze my ass off looking for geodes, I realized I had strayed off the path. Not my own path that I set for myself, but the path that I was finding myself on organically. I’m kidding myself if I expect to have any fun climbing or camping anytime soon.

So — I’m going to Tahoe! Going to hang out with Cadence, Will, and Eli for a couple weeks. It just makes way more sense — if you throw out my original assumptions. Looking at the route there, I realized I can go a couple hours out of my way north, and get to see a ton of cool things along the way.

Leaving Keokuk, I route myself (in a giant U-turn) back north towards Minneapolis, with my first major stop being The Devils Tower in South Dakota. I quickly find my spirits lifting, and really excited about the coming weeks. The next thing you know, I’m passing Raymond, Iowa, so I stop for lunch. I’ll take this as a sign it was the right decision.

Probably minimal posts for a few days, going to be a lot of driving. But looking forward to seeing my friends, going to Yosemite, (maybe doing some climbing), and not feeling like I’m just wasting time until I can do what I want. Which was the whole point of this trip to begin with 😁