Over the years, I’ve had people say to me you learn a lot from the mountains. They teach you perseverance, resilience, adversity, to think outside the square and plans A, B, C, D and the rest. All relevant in today’s global settings with the COVID-19 situation when your plans go out the window.
A bit of background. My partner and myself were due to finish our project in 2020 (Project Base8000), to become the first non mountaineers to trek to all of the base camps of the world’s 14 highest mountains. Having already completed six, expeditions were organised to head back to Nepal in Spring, Pakistan in July and August and then Nepal again in October to round out the 14. Well, that has now been well and truly thrown out the window – for now at least.
Perseverance
So, a little obstacle has now presented itself, called COVID-19. My first reaction when we got the news that our expeditions might be called off was @#*%. When Australia closed its borders along with many other countries around the world, then put a total travel ban in place for its citizens, other language may have come to mind.
But hang on, we have a plan. The plan hasn’t changed, just the timing. So it’s back to plan B.
Resilience
I thought about the hard times in my life and how I dealt with those and adapted. All the set backs. Being rejected. Waiting for your name to be called out when they pick a team, only to be standing on the sidelines watching. Hopes and dreams shattered. My country up bringing taught me how to roll with the punches, deal with droughts, living pay-to-pay, work harder and get up and bounce back.
Resilience also taught me how to be mentally strong, be positive – visualise the future and block out the bad. Easier said than done I know, especially when we are bombarded constantly by the 24/7 news cycle and social media.
Adversity
The hardships, challenges and misfortune. I wouldn’t be the only one that’s been through it. Sometimes it wasn’t easy. Having a close circle of friends around you to provide support helped. Looking up in awe at the face of an 8,000m plus mountain reminds you that there are bigger things in life.
Those mountains are calling – I want to go now, please!
Onwards and upwards.
Trevor
PS. You might like to read some of our other posts relating to mental toughness when your plans go out the window:
- Self-Discovery
- One Big Adventure – how the challenge of navigating your way through a global pandemic has remarkable similarities to going on an adventure
- Mera Peak – adversity and resilience
- Courage to Face Adversity
- Discover Your Perseverance
- 12 Tips to Build Mental Toughness For Your Next Trek
- Adventure Bingo: Things To Do While Waiting For Your Next Adventure
