Skip to main content

The Hills Have Eyes & Mountain Lions


Though I am someone that majorly enjoys spending time outside alone, I also was haunted by some really irrational anxieties and fears. Solo camping: something I wanted to be able to do for years, and once I started doing it I would just torture my brain with images of Hills Have Eyes.. you know this one... Image result for hills have eyesI was sure they were hiding in the woods around me waiting to rape and murder me.
Also hiking: Wikipedia tells me that 20 people have died in North America due to mountain lions in the past 121 years and I've been CONVINCED over the past 3 years that I would be that 21st person. I was paralyzed by this fear. This was beyond frustrating to my stubborn soul. There were multiple hikes that resulted in me exiting the mountain early before getting to my goal due to the intense (made-up) fear circling through my body. Don't get me wrong, mountain lions are very real, and attacks are 100% possible. But I am a firm believer that fear shouldn't hold you back from doing what makes you come alive, as long as you are prepared. I've spent 3 years trying to battle these fears, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. But it still always being in my mind and oftentimes "ruining" my goal of remaining present while hiking.
Well yesterday while hiking back from Horsetooth Rock in the dark the dog I was hiking with ran after something, and I just thought "damn, I hope that's not a mountain lion" and immediately realized that I think I have conquered my fear. No gut wrenching anxiety hit me, no racing thoughts of the possibilities, no delusions of transforming beautiful trees into a man eating monster. This. Feeling. Was. Amazing!
I don't think I've ever noticed a fear, been patient and worked through it, and then seen the end result. It was a beautiful process. I spent a lot of time being really frustrated with myself, angry that something I knew I was making up in my head stopped me from doing something I truly loved. My parents specifically dealt a lot with my fear and frustration. I know with the solo-camping they didn't fully understand why I wanted to do it anyway, and honestly would prefer I don't camp or hike alone, but have continued to cheer me on.
I believe it is extremely important to be aware of your surroundings, carry pepper or bear spray, stay updated on mountain lion sightings, and just be smart. But if hiking makes you come alive, don't let another fellow wanderer in the mountains hold you back.

Fear is an evolutionary tool for human beings, but in 2017 when there are less survival fears we need to be aware of (and probably more political ones to be focused on) we can face these with a determined and patient heart. Trust yourself, and know that if you want to move through a fear. YOU CAN DO IT.
Peace, love, and hope to you all.
Sarah




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Place that Doesn't Exist

 i'm yearning to fall into a space. a space where the only things that make sense are the songs sung by birds, the noises strewn about from leaves. A place that isn't the roof I sleep under, or the desk I sit at. Sometimes it lies behind my eyelids. sometimes I find it sitting in my car with the tears falling. a place where the wind is playing with my hair, and my hand is being held. i'm pining for the pines. a hole that might swallow me up and spit me into that fresh spruce smell. The rain in the pines aroma. The crystal of snow on the tips of their cones. i feel wedged between seemingly polar opposite wants/worlds. Maybe it's a millennial thing, but is that bad? to yearn to fly... to cover the plains, forests, deserts of the world. the consistent restlessness sitting on your shoulders, your blades pushing them back, and towards the sky. but what about this "home" people talk about. The thing everyone goes back to, where it seems the hardest memories lie. The...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prompt: The Dust of Old Bones

I am realizing that when given a prompt, I want to write anything and everything that comes to mind. I am beginning to explore prompts and this one is from a SLC Group called "Salty Scribblers" Deep in her closet a box lies, the dust has spread over the top and seeped to the sides. It has moved with her again and again, though only receives a hesitant glance now and then. But sometimes In her dreams she skips to it, excited to rummage through and release the treasures inside. As she peeks in, she sees distant memories, fervent feelings, and amusement of all kinds.  A Pink and worn Teddy Bear with arms open and a rainbow kite, ripped and bright.  A Snowman sits at the bottom, still frosty and needing a nose.  The scraped knees and rain puddles remind her of play. Some nights she takes one or two out and lays them on her sleeping self, testing the fit.  The beliefs are the hardest to fit.  Her parents know all and her sister protects no matter her own monster wall...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lilac Sidewalk

  Same Sidewalk.  As Yesterday.  It catches you by surprise.   But today. They are here. Either smell or sight and you are called out. Silky petals. Our female elders peeking out with their violet irises The smell, oh the smell.  It swirls in your chest trying to coat your lungs, for just a little bit longer. Same Sidewalk. As Yesterday. You see the crispy. The sun held them just a little bit too long. Close enough, the smell sits still.  But the drops have drifted. Toasted and broiled. It’s gone so fast. Sad and True. I mourn for those that missed it. For those that will forget.  Same Sidewalk.  As Yesterday. Their abode remains season to season. Empty and forgotten Their graceful presence is now a brief memory. Every now and again, I remember what was once. And what will be again.
Post a Comment
Read more