^{Photo by Eric Sanman from Pexels}

Climbing a mountain is a fantastic feat that not everyone can claim to have accomplished. The climb to a summit is often riddled with challenges and danger, even for the most experienced (like Alan V. Goldman) and careful mountaineers. Some would even claim it’s a reckless hobby with no real benefit.

Although the “reckless” part can be genuine, saying that mountaineering has no real benefit is far from the truth. Mountain climbing has a lot of physical, mental, and sometimes spiritual teachings for people. Here are nine precious mountaineering lessons people can learn.

Lesson 1: Perseverance is the Secret to Success

There will be moments wherein your fellow mountain climbers will go ahead. Try not to focus on feeling discouraged. Focus on your goal and harness your perseverance, along with your hope, to push through some rough patches.

Lesson 2: Rushing won’t Get You to the Top Faster

Although having the expertise to traverse the climb quickly will help move you faster, your speed will only matter a little. In mountaineering, what’s important is that you’re doing everything right, regardless of how slow you’re going. Rushing can often put you in precarious predicaments that can endanger your life. So remember to take it slow but steady.

Lesson 3: No Pain, No Gain for the Road Less Traveled

When you set a goal, results will only happen if you overcome discomfort. Climbing a mountain is an arduous task. The road is often riddled with pain, difficulty, and danger. However, your goals will never come true if you stay comfortable.

Lesson 4: Stop Underestimating Yourself

Before taking on a Herculean task like mountain climbing, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you can’t do it. But more often than not, you’d be surprised that you can get the job done. Give yourself more credit, and try something first before undermining your capabilities. Not underestimating one’s abilities is a vital mountaineering lesson people should embody.

Lesson 5: Don’t Stop Climbing

Avid mountaineer Alan V. Goldman knows how easily the feeling of giving up creeps into our minds when presented with a significant challenge. But you wouldn’t want to give up if you could’ve known that you were 80% to achieving your goal, right? Stay focused on your objective despite all the challenges and hardships.

Lesson 6: Fight for What You Want

Mountain climbing is an uphill battle. Your adversaries are the weather, the steep paths, gravity, and mother nature herself. But the journey is all worthwhile once you reach the summit, where the view is breathtaking, and you enjoy your victory. In mountaineering, mountaineers often need to work for the rewards they seek, which can be said for life in general. If you want something, you’ll have to fight for it.

Lesson 7: Actively Take Care of Your Body, Mind, and Health

Due to the demanding and challenging nature of mountain climbing, your body will most likely be pushed to the limit. The panting, the shaky legs, and the burning sensation in your lungs mean you need to get in shape. Simple exercises like brisk walking, push-ups, and pull-ups for about 30 minutes are an excellent way to start living healthily and actively.

Lesson 8: You Learn the Importance of Pacing Yourself

Getting over-excited is not an ideal thing to do when mountain climbing. By being over-excited, you waste valuable energy. Gassing yourself out will only tire you and make you quit the expedition. Be mindful of your energy and actions, and pace yourself properly.

Lesson 9: Face Your Fears and Conquer Them

Saying that climbing a steep mountain can be scary is an understatement. The dizzying heights and narrow paths can be terrifying. However, you must face your fears and keep pushing toward the summit. Only by confronting and conquering your fears can you get the freedom offered by mountaineering and use it to enrich your life.

We hope that these mountaineering lessons will be of great help to you. Use them to your advantage so you can live a more fulfilled life. If you want to know more about mountain climbing and the teachings you can get from it, Alan V. Goldman’s book titled “Reflections on Mountaineering.” It offers poems like “The Freedom of the Hills,” where he talks about the connection between the mountains, mountaineers, and freedom.