If A Tree Falls In The Woods...
I hope everyone had a very Happy New Year! Ever since I can remember, I've always loved New Years Eve. It is a metaphorical clean slate for the next phase of life. A time in which you get to reflect on experiences, celebrate the blessings and set plans to accomplishing more of what's on your "bucket list".
This year I celebrated New Years in Lake Placid with my cousin Stina. I wanted to do something different than hosting or attending a New Years party. And different it was and worth sharing.....
The mountain air was brisk and the sky was bright, there I stood with a new year in sight! It was the morning of New Years Eve....my plan....to rejuvinate! Gearing up for my first winter hike through the Adirondack Mountains of Lake Placid, snowshoes were bound to my feet and a knapsack, weighed down with necessary essentials, sat harnessed tightly on my back. "WOW", I thought, "here I go, me and nature!" My cousin Stina stood by my side, just as bundled as I, preparing to lead us through the snowy mountainside. No manicured paths, no guides....just small red tree markers to remind us, now and then, that we were on the right path. I had complete confidence in her leadership skills, growing up the daughter of an avid camper, she knew how to survive with Mother Nature.
We took our first steps, I was exhilarated! My pace started fast, pushing away branches while pulling each webbed foot out from the suction of the slushy hills below, one giant step at time. Nothing would hinder us, not even the miles of slush, rocks and bark. Unfortunately, the winter snow had not rested solid on the land, so our path was more challenging. Regardless, our focus was already decided before we took our first step....our goal to reach the beautiful waterfall....ahhhh....tranquility! I was on fire, full steam ahead. Although, Stina warned me to slow down, “pace yourself, you don’t want to use up too much energy, we have miles to go.” But my mind was set on the destination ahead. Why slow down I thought? We had the day mapped out. Snowshoe through the mountains, see the waterfall, have some lunch and head back before sundown to say goodbye to 2010. It was well thought out; I had set a goal and an action plan. Just as I often tried to strategically plan my life.
Heading deeper into our travels, our journey was halted… a massive structure laid before us! This was not part of the plan? How could we get around this massive structure? We needed to reach our destination! Probably hundreds of years old, this monsterous tree laid fallen and broken, right in our path. Its ice covered bark was massive and ran on for what seemed like miles. A solid structure impeding us to move forward. I suggested to Stina that we should head back since the tree has blocked the path. There didn’t seem a way to move ahead. But my cousin was persistent. This is just a “road block” she assured. We assessed the situation and she lead us to another route. As long as we can see tree markers we are heading in the right direction, she explained. “A tree marker, I see it over there in the distance, follow me!” Stina pointed with confidence and we began climbing and weaving through snow covered trees, brush and rocks. Alas! A route around the “road block"! After about 20 minutes we were back on track towards our goal. We passed fellow hikers, and asked how much further to the waterfall. “About 10 minutes on the right” they stated. Phew, I was tired but also excited, only 10 minutes to go! But fifteen minutes passed and still no waterfall in sight. My excitement dimished as my body grew tired. Stina noticed my exhaustion “Let’s stop here for a bit, rest and eat something”. “We need to replenish our energy. It’s going to be worth our efforts once we see the beauty of the waterfall!” So we sat on the snowy mountain eating peanut butter and jelly sandwichs, but I knew we were behind schedule. We planned to be at the waterfall by 1pm to be out of the woods before sundown. Frustrated about not reaching the waterfall in time, my mind wandered back to “THE TREE”. And I blamed “THE TREE” for not reaching our destination and taking away my energy. My focus was altered. I was tired and anticipated the miles to get back instead of simply enjoying the peace and tranquility of our lunchtime rest stop.
As we prepared to gather our things I thought "a few miles at home on a flat walking trail with no obstructions would be no problem. But here, deep in the Adirondack Mountains, faced with endless hills, bark, rocks, ice and slush……how would I get through this?" So, I opted to bypass the waterfall and head back. Even though we were prepared with flashlights, I wanted to be back before sundown. I would never reach the waterfall as planned. But our spirits remained high as we backtracked down the path. We joked that once we got passed “THE TREE”, which we would face again, the hard stuff would be behind us. The more we walked, the more I struggled with each step. And with one final step of my bound snowshoe, there it stood! That impassible challenge along my path…..staring me in the face once again, blocking my path as it did earlier. The whole reason I was put off course and never reached my goal. Sure, I got around it before, but this time “IT” wasn’t about to let me off the hook so easily.
We couldn’t find the path we got through earlier. Even our footprints vanished. 
The only set of prints (perhaps those of our fellow hikers that told us about the waterfall), went over the tree! But how? It seemed impossible. The tree trunk was not only massive, but ice covered which made it near impossible to climb over. No opening, crevace or cut through was visible. Stina and I plotted and attempted to find our way around the obstacle, but were unsuccessful. I was beginning to get frustrated, nothing was making sense, no tree markers I could see. Stina stopped to assess the area. I, on the other hand, was determined to keep moving! Stina watched me go up and down the area. Falling, sliding, slipping, dropping…..until that last and final defeated drop. I laid there, submerged in a pile of slush, twisted in survival gear and looked over into the root of this massive tree. There is was staring me down. But at that moment, I knew it was much more than a tree. Thousands of twists and turns heading in all directions, traveling deep into the long and endless bark. It was my root! Had I uncovered a life lesson admist my hiking meltdown. The complexities of my challenges staring me down, hitting deep in my soul saying “face me head on, no more getting around me, you can survivor all challenges and move forward without fear”.
The only set of prints (perhaps those of our fellow hikers that told us about the waterfall), went over the tree! But how? It seemed impossible. The tree trunk was not only massive, but ice covered which made it near impossible to climb over. No opening, crevace or cut through was visible. Stina and I plotted and attempted to find our way around the obstacle, but were unsuccessful. I was beginning to get frustrated, nothing was making sense, no tree markers I could see. Stina stopped to assess the area. I, on the other hand, was determined to keep moving! Stina watched me go up and down the area. Falling, sliding, slipping, dropping…..until that last and final defeated drop. I laid there, submerged in a pile of slush, twisted in survival gear and looked over into the root of this massive tree. There is was staring me down. But at that moment, I knew it was much more than a tree. Thousands of twists and turns heading in all directions, traveling deep into the long and endless bark. It was my root! Had I uncovered a life lesson admist my hiking meltdown. The complexities of my challenges staring me down, hitting deep in my soul saying “face me head on, no more getting around me, you can survivor all challenges and move forward without fear”. 
Stina approached me with her instinctive survival mindset, calmly trying to release me from my catatonic state. Her voice sounded like the adult characters in Charlie Brown, making little sense. Yet, the message was transported into my brain. We had to get over this obstacle, we had to face it head on…no more going around the challenge. I attempted to climb over the tree, but slipped. I then accepted assistance from Stina and made it over. Another life lesson, without support from those who truly care about us, how can we get through anything? And we did, together we got over the obstacle. With our snowshoes now off our feet and securely attached to our backpacks we headed home. We made our way back, unloaded the weight from our shoulders and prepared to bid farewell to 2010 that evening. During our New Years Eve dinner, we recounted our adventure. Stina explained that getting frustrated and constantly moving trying to find a way around the tree was not a good use of time and energy. “When hiking, you need to pace yourself walking. It’s not a race or time limit. You need to take breaks and re-energize yourself. Your dealing with Mother Nature, no path is perfect, so if you come across an obstacle or are off course, you need to just stop, assess your surroundings, figure out your plan of action and work together to move forward.” Not only a great hiking lesson but a life lesson.
What I also realized was that although our plan may have gone off “course”, by only focusing on the destination of the waterfall, I failed to notice all the beauty that stood before me, all the in betweens that occurred along the journey. That tree did block my path, but it reminded me to stop trying to get around or look past what is right in front of me. It reminded me to start looking at things in front of me. Nothing is impassible or impossible…..every destination can and will be reached in time, but take the time to enjoy the in betweens along the way!
So my cousin and I toasted to the new year.... To an experience that not only was a memorable hiking adventure , but a shared life lesson that taught us that we must have vision to see our potential and faith to believe that we can conquer any challenge as long as we have the courage to act with conviction. That our life is working on all levels and every experience in life helps you grow. One should not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you're going. To remember that life is not a race or a timeline that must be met, but a journey to be savored each step of the way. At times you must be still, rest, catch your breath, and then look ahead, to asses if your next step will bring you closer to your goal in life.
Remember that there is plenty of time to travel many roads in your journey through life. Take the time to find the route that is appropriate for you. You will learn something valuable from every experience you encounter, so don't be afraid to make mistakes, adjust your plans or ask for support. And finally if you are willing to embrace the moment, take the opportunities you are given and utilize the abilities you have, and you will constantly fill your life with special moments and unforgettable times.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and adventurous life journey in the New Year!
Ciao for Now!
Jeannine
Posted by Jeannine Capria at Monday, January 10. 2011 
Categories: Stress Mgt, Mental Health, Emotional Health, Intrinsic Health Source, Coaching
Categories: Stress Mgt, Mental Health, Emotional Health, Intrinsic Health Source, Coaching
Great blog! I enjoyed reading about your adventure. Your cousin sounds like a great person to learn from, and had great advise! I hope to read more in the future. I'm subscribing to keep up with your adventures. Check out my blog if you have a chance, it's fitness oriented with 3 trail reviews so far this year. Enjoy the new year!
Reply to this
This was an awesome blog!! I am impressed with your insight. I am a hiker and never thought so deeply about my experiences. Now I will learn to stop and take notice.
Reply to this
I just came across this story and am amazed at the insights, just like Georgia indicated! Thanks for your thoughts and making me think a little deeper...."into the woods!"
Reply to this