For the last 8 years or so, I have been really interested in exploring what it would look like to be a mountain guide. I’ve fantasized that this would be my retirement career. You know, when I am done with being in cities.
Anyway, a few years ago, my wife and I started taking an Alpine Leadership Climbing Course through Miyar Adventures under the mentorship of Glen Young. It has been an intensive amount of learning but it has been preparing me for what I am about to do this weekend.
This weekend, I will be going on my mentored lead for a glacier climb up the Easton Glacier of Mt Baker (Koma Kulshan). On this trip, I will be basically functioning as an assistant guide for the guiding team, leading one of the rope teams up to the summit and generally just helping out the clients in any way I can.
Really, this weekend will be the answer to the question – “Do I really want to be a mountain guide when I retire?” I think I know the answer, but this trip will help solidify it for me.
I have been looking forward to the climb for the last month or two and have been doing my studying, so I am mentally ready. I have also been doing my physical conditioning and feel like I am strong and fit and ready for the climb.
I talk a lot about finding work:life harmony in my posts. I do a lot of actual talking with clients and people I meet about this too. I have found one of the ways that I build more harmony for myself is being able to go out to nature and climb mountains.
Being out in the mountains can be such a freeing experience, and a time to reflect and connect with myself and the earth. It may not make sense to you if you’ve never done it, but if you have you know exactly what I mean.
Anyway, I will let you all know how the climb goes when I return. I wish you all a happy weekend and hope that you are doing the things today that bring more harmony into your life.
P.s. If you’re not sure how to build more work:life harmony for yourself, drop me a line I am thinking about running a 2 day ikigai retreat in the coming weeks (dates still TBD but most likely Aug 5 & 6)
#ikigai #ikigairetreat #worklifeharmony #followyourdream #authenticself
Steve Beauchamp 