A friend and I were "Jeeping" deep in the
backcountry of Canyonlands National Park. We had spent hours driving up and
over a section that required steep climbs and low range gearing called Elephant
Hill.
We had reached a point where were outside the park boundary
and were soon going to turn around and head back over Elephant Hill to camp.
When Canyonlands National Park was relatively young, my
family explored this area in our old CJ5 Jeep and we went as far as Bobby’s
Hole and made the steep climb up and then turned around.
I was curious to see how difficult Bobby’s Hole was, decades
later when I was in the area with my own Jeep.
As we got closer to Bobby’s Hole, my friend misjudged a
section of the trail and ended up disabling his front differential, making it
too risky to go back the way we came as he no longer had 4 wheel drive
capability.
I didn't have a detailed map of the area, but noticed on a
very basic park map an alternate way out but it would be around five times the
original distance. We really had no other choice so off we went without a map
and just an idea of how to get back to our camp.
On the way “out” via Bobby’s Hole, we encountered quite a
few roads branching off in different directions. None of them had and signs
indicating where they would take us. I just simply chose roads that would take
us in a north eastern or eastern direction, as a western direction would only
take us further into an area called Beef Basin. All the while hoping we were
heading on roads that would get us back to camp.
After many hours of travel, some very slippery wet sections
of road, and a few detours we finally reached a point I recognized. I could see
the paved road in the distance that would take us back into the main entrance
to the park. Only at that point did I have some confidence we'd find our way
back.
It was at the point in time that I also suddenly realized
how beautiful the area we were in really was. I had been so focused on finding
a way back to camp that I missed the amazing surrounding we were in!
I've been back many times since and love exploring the Beef
Basin area. That first trip however, was focused on just finding a way through
it.
Multiple lessons can be learned from that experience.
One example is I always take detailed maps whenever I
venture into the back country just in case I need to change plans and take an
alternative route.
Another lesson is the importance of having extra supplies which
could include gas and food. Since that trip I also carry what I call my rescue
bag to assist with extracting a vehicle out of a bad situation.
The biggest lesson for me was how not knowing where you are
going can really distract you from the positive experiences being presented all
around you at the time.
Since that first adventure I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring
the Beef Basin area as well as retracing the route original route we took all
the back over Elephant Hill.
I also went back to that area to explore the possibility of
hiking the Salt Creek area and have since completed 5 different Salt Creek
hikes from the access road I was originally struggling to find my way through.
All the time fully immersed in the present moment of such a spectacular part of
the National Park and surrounding areas bordering the park now well-known as
part of the Bears Ears National Monument.
The experience has helped me appreciate the value of having
a plan and mapping out where to go. In life, most people really don’t have much
of a plan for their lives.
Had we had a good map when it came to improvise our trip, we
would have avoided wrong turns and backtracking, as well as been able to focus
a lot more attention on the amazing scenery and enjoyed the journey a lot more.
Clarity of purpose and a plan is very powerful in helping us
make the best decisions with our resources.
Since that original experience of struggling to find my way
back to camp I have had the excellent opportunity of helping people find
clarity and purpose as a professional personal development coach.
Since 2005 I have been able to refine the process into a
powerful coaching program I call “A Life Well Lived.” This program with my individually
focused assistance will help you create a plan that will cover the foundational
principles of personal finance, goal setting, proper prioritization of
resources, and how your own unique gifts and talents play a big part in your
personal plan.
For more information, and to arrange a free 20 minutes
introductory consultation, please email me at chris@deserttoad.net or go to www.dtesuccess.com.
