I climbed Mt. Waddington last summer. The highest in British Columbia at 14, 500 ft. It was.... um, very tough. Technical, heart pounding, muscle stretching, stamina testing. Probably wouldn't have been as tough if I was 25 or 30. But in my mid 50's....
The parallel to my other life is clear to me. For thirty years I've run my own business. Developed clients and projects around the world, did them well, and got paid well. Other friends were doing the same. Seemed like there would be no end. But in our mid 50's, after rich and varied professional careers, it seems... um... different. The slope sometimes seems steeper.
Hanging safely on anchored ropes, we swung over and crossed wide crevasses. Exhilarating... and exhausting. I was motivated because I was carrying a crucifix to put on the summit for Cathy, the wife of a good friend who was being buried that day. But on this fourth day of climbing, it would be fourteen hours to the summit and six hours back down again. I felt not 55, but 105.
About 400 feet from the Summit we had to throw one foot out over a crevasse into a rope sling to get started, then climb our way up an almost vertical snow wall.
Standing there I nearly vomited. I was 'this far' from giving the crucifix to one of the others, asking them to place it.
I've had challenges in business, Disappointments. Self -doubts. I've wondered it I was really capable of doing what was in front of me.
Then I thought of waiting there for them as they climbed to the summit, planted my crucifix for Cathy... then came down to tell me they'd done my job.
I remember the moment: shaking, sweating like a prize fighter.... and ready to 'hurl' on the virgin snow. I threw my foot across the big, deep blue crevasse into the anchored rope sling, and started the climb. Crampon step, ice axe... crampon.... ice axe...
I got to the top and planted Cathy's crucifix. Nobody saw me cry when I wedged it into the rocks.
We then spent six hours climbing back down to camp. Totally exhausted, I fell asleep, smiling.
So now, at the top of our careers, at the top of our games, myself and a few good friends are asking: What do I do now? Do I continue what I've been doing? Do I break out with something new?
At times I have been frozen. And yes, probably with a fear of making the wrong move, that fear of failure.
It's real simple though... and I had to learn it, for the hundredth time, again, on this mountain. Commit, put my foot forward... and start climbing. Moving up, slowly, in any direction, is better than waiting for those who come down from their summit.
For pictures, go to http://theeyelearner.blogspot.com
Robb Lucy is a film producer, marketer and 'story-teller'. His career has spanned shark fishing in the Indian Ocean... to journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, to producing for corporations, governments and museums around the world. His present business is producing DVDs that teach children and adults skills to lead more active, fun & fulfilling lives. His volunteer time is spent as a Director of several charities. He plays a mean game of squash, dabbles in triathlons, golf handicap of 8 and has climbed two mountains so far (Kilimanjaro - Africa & Mt. Waddington - B.C.). He will rage into the dieing of the light.
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