Motivation

I often wonder what gets me up at 5 am and at the trail head before 6 am. How do I keep my motivation high while others are still in the comforts of their beds? It takes a certain something to keep my feet going upwards while my motivation goes downwards.

One thing that keeps me going is the need to explore. I get energized by new areas, new descents, anything that is exploratory. I have my maps at home and I diligently pencil in every line that I hike and ski. This in itself motivates me. When I am out touring in new terrain I can visualize drawing new lines at home. I can’t wait to get home and draw in the new line. Take yesterday for example I have wanted to ski Copeland for years and it was very satisfying to finally pencil in the new lines, even the 11 km of forestry road we followed home.

Powder… my quest is really to maximize my powder skiing. There is soooo much snow that falls in the mountains around here, and I love sampling some of it. Actually as much of it as I can. I can tell you that 10 000 feet of deep powder skiing is pretty amazing. It quenches my need for powder; for that day at least. But definitely the feeling of skiing through powder is what keeps me going. It’s the closest i can come to flying and I love it. Swooping down a mountain much like a bird would fly. Fast fluid and non stop.

Personal challenges also fuel me, trying hard and digging deep seems to energize me. Tires me out but drives me at the same time. I guess challenges make me feel like I am living and not just passing time. A day feels more complete when I feel like I have accomplished something. I just watched my daughter challenge herself and saw her eyes alight with self satisfaction as she accomplished her little climb. That is what it is. Challenge rewards me with a very self-satisfied feeling.

I guess I could go on for days about the different reasons I am motivated, perhaps it is an insecurity about having lost a finger and a need to prove to the world that I am equal to all the ten fingered people out there. Who knows! All I know is it feels great to be out there and I can’t wait for tommorrows mission.