What does it take to get to the top?

What is the apex you desire? What are you longing to achieve? On the journey you are on, what is at the top of the mountain you are on?

What are you willing to do to get there?

At the time of this publication (Monday, July 29), I will be on the mountain in Grayson Highlands Sate Park and on my way up to the peak – Mount Rogers (5729 feet above sea level – 1746 meters). This is not extreme in terms of mountain peaks, but it is the highest in the state of Virginia. (Yes, Sharp Top in Peaks of Otter is not the highest, in spite of what Thomas Jefferson and George Washington thought.)

Rogers has its name after the founder of MIT. Who would’ve thought MIT has a connection to Appalachia in the Jefferson National Forest.

I look forward to a closer day (almost 15-20 degree drop on Monday) and sights of the wild horses along the trail. I hope to get there to see the sunrise while ascending the gentle slopes up the mountain.

What will it take to reach the peak? What preparations am I making and what am I planning to do to get there.

KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO
Plan Ahead … have the goal to get there
—– Planning ahead is critical. Knowing where you want to reach helps plan the process and know the path. Otherwise, you may meander and miss what you really want to accomplish.

KNOW EVERYTHING CAN ABOUT THE PLACE and THE PROCESS
Do you your homework …
—– Print the map out (or memorize it) or download it from the AllTrails app. Know what obstacles, any closures, time restrictions, costs, parking spot, directions, amenities, and more. Getting information, the right information, can make or break a trek, either on the trail or anything in life. Maybe in a job opportunity, do your homework and learn, learn, learn everything about the job, the business, and … everything,

GET WHAT YOU NEED UP FRONT
Pack Your Bag …
—– Get together what you need up front. Backpack, water, food, first aid, trekking poles, charged phone, hammock, cash, anything. There are no REI stores on the trail. In life, maybe you need to learn a skill first. Maybe you need a degree. Whatever it takes.

START THE JOURNEY
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go …
—– Every journey begins with the first step. Maybe this means wake up early and heading out. Maybe a drive to the park, or maybe just putting in an application for employment. Start the process. You’ll never reach the target if you stay in your seat (or bed).

DON’T GET DISTRACTED
Stay the Course …
Once you have begun, stay the course. Keep on keeping on. Enjoy the journey. Never lose the sight of the destination.

CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT
Rejoice in however far you get …
It took me three times to finish the Old Rag Trail (once my fault, the other was ignorance). But each time, I rejoiced in however far I got. But I NEVER gave up. I returned, several times since too, and I celebrate the accomplishment, each time.

and my I add …

Don’t stop setting goals. Don’t ever stop the adventure.