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April 07, 2003

Discipline and the road to Denali

I can't remember if I've covered this subject in my blog before or not, but I feel I want to cover it now, given what's ahead of me. Basically, my belief is that discipline is a holistic trait that can not be solely associated with one area of ones life and still be attributed to discipline. For example, I wanted to start writing in my blog more, that takes discipline. I also want to train more, which also takes discipline. I've been doing better about my blog, but haven't committed the necessary effort to training. Therefor, I am NOT disciplined in my life. Rather, usually if we are disciplined in one area and not in others, the things we are disciplined in didn't require that much effort or discipline to begin with. To work on ones 'discipline' is to work on all areas. Discipline is a holistic trait that determines whether you will do what is necessary in a given situation, regardless of what you want to do or not, regardless of what that thing is. Obviously, discipline isn't an 'on, off' kind of trait. There are various levels of discipline, but to work on ones discipline is to work on it in all areas.

It helps when one has internalized his/her priorities on different matters. Bruce and I are going to climb Mt. Shasta in 3 weeks and Rainier in 7 (the beginning of June). We've picked very difficult routes up both peaks and I know it will take everything I have and then some. Bruce tells me I'm ready, but I don't feel that I am. I feel technically capable of doing everything we need to do to summit. I also feel mentally ready to deal with the exposure and fear. But I am not positive about my cardio or endurance. A week ago to put climbing above snowboarding and now I've decided to put training above climbing. Whether I AM ready now or not, I need to focus on training if I'm going to feel more comfortable about my abilities.

The route we've picked up Shasta (The Hotlum Glacier) will be difficult in terms of endurance, but not necessarily technically difficult. I say not necessarily because there is a variation we are planning to do at the top called the Hotlum Headwall that requires some 5.8 rock and vertical ice climbing (in our mountaineering boots, with crampons, good for the ice, not ideal for rock). But we do not HAVE to do that variation if we climb the Hotlum Glacier. There will be the challenge of roped travel and avoiding crevasses, but in June, most will be filled in.

The route we've picked on Rainier (The Liberty Ridge) is very different than the route up Shasta. It is a committing route where you can not go back the way you came. If bad weather roles in, you need to just hunker down and ride it out. There's also some technical rock and ice near the top. It will be a very steep route that will require a tremendous amount of endurance and mental fortitude. I hope I'm ready. Only one way to find out though. :)

I feel that I need these climbs at this point in my life. I've been moving in this direction for years and I feel the need and capability to move on. I know how much stronger these adventures make you, both physically and mentally, and it is time for me to grow again.

Posted by wonko at April 7, 2003 11:16 PM

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