This is such a slog. And, a journey of inspiration and inner peace.

1,800 foot elevation gain, highest altitude 7,123 feet, 7.4 miles of varied terrain, from lovely alpine meadows to melting glacial snows. This is the Skyline Loop trail on Mount Rainier, arguably one of the premier mountain hikes in the world. This lovely active volcano in the Pacific Cascade range south of Seattle boasts unparalleled flora- some 20 different flowering species at my count, on a warm July day. A challenging hike whenever I have done it; my rite of summer each year, for the last dozen years or so. 

Due to ever increasing tourists from around the globe, now you need a reservation and assigned entry time for this National Park, and the parking lots fill by early morning hours. It is a privilege and effort just to get in the gate. I am blessed to be able to spend the money and time to come to this beauty of nature, and last week, with alpine meadows in full bloom, I planned to enjoy every single moment of my time here. 

The first mile or so of the trail behind the Paradise visitor’s center is paved, there are moms and strollers, teens in flip flop sandals, grandmothers clinging to the arms of grandkids, all ‘oooing’ and ‘aahhing’ at the brilliant rainbow of wildflowers, trickling waterfalls, cheeky chipmunks and the golden marmots sunning on rocks, unafraid of humans. Occasionally I am passed by the serious hiker/skier folks, their mammoth backpacks bulging with helmets, skis and ropes. In between are the hikers like me with small daypacks, moving steadily along, stopping occasionally for a snack or to snap a photo.

Its interesting to me how my journey up this mountain has changed over time. I used to pay attention to the time it took me, feeling like a failure if I took ‘too long’. Then with injuries and arthritis, there were a few years I couldn’t even have managed the tourist half mile by the visitor’s center.

Now, I carefully manage my trip, prepare my sturdy hiking boots, supportive socks, strong hiking poles, and plenty of water, and a commitment to release the need to check the time. This year,  I included a small paperback of plants of the Cascades in my pocket, so each stop could include some identification. It was my delight to share with  a young couple about Rainier Pedicularis- a sweet yellow tube flower only found on this mountain. We ‘oohed’ and ‘aahhed’ together while snapping pics.

I’ve done this hike many times, so I know each rise that brings difficult rocky terrain and sometimes snow to plow through. I know these sections don’t last long, and there is always a beautiful mountain meadow at the end. So I gather my courage, when things get tough. Slow and steady, encouraging others and accepting their encouragement with gratitude. Hikers are generally nice people. 

A few times, during the rocky parts, I heard a teenager say, “This is such a slog!” Each time I heard some variation of this as we pushed ourselves over rocks and uneven paths, I made it my practice to notice something beautiful, to fully enjoy the tough parts. To remember this trip was a choice, a blessing, a privilege not all can experience. Certainly there was a time I thought I would never do this again. Today, I made the choice over and over to stop, to breathe, to sketch in my journal, enjoy a snack or just look at the awe inspiring horizon. 

Then, as I dropped down into the meadow, I turned back for one last look at the towering volcanic mountain and her skirts of glacial ice.  

What if I thought of this life the same as this trip; a blessing, a precious choice, something to be enjoyed at every turn? No matter how rocky the terrain?

Jiddu Krishnamurti, Indian philosopher and teacher, traveled the world sharing his wisdom. It is said that one day, with a large audience hanging on his every word, he asked them if they wanted to know the simple answer, his secret to living life well. Everyone leaned in, of course they did! He supposedly tilted his head, and calmly said, “I don’t mind what happens.” That was it, no further explanation.

What if it was truly that simple? To not get attached to expectation, or to disappointment, irritation, frustration when things don’t go as expected. To calmly meet life with an open mind, a softened heart, fully living in the present moment as much as possible. It is that simple, but also challenging, like tackling a mountain hike most wouldn’t consider at my age. I believe that the attitude we choose throughout each day either tightens us on a cellular level, or it softens us. If I choose to feel irritated, that vibration brings limits to mind/body and heart. If I choose to say to myself, yes, this is a slog, but I choose to see the beauty in this moment. I am not ignoring what is happening around me, I am just choosing how to react and respond to it. I notice the conditions, I prepare myself with kindness and release self judgement, and I proceed. Things don’t go perfectly because there is no such thing. I don’t mind what happens, and then I have the capacity to fall in love with life with each step. I don’t know how many times I will be able to do this particular hike, but I am grateful for each trip, whether painful or pleasant. It is that simple.