Three paths, one destination

It’s Saturday morning at 7:00am. It’s colder then usual for June and I can see my breath with every exhale. There’s a light mist hanging in the air and I’m standing at the start of a popular local hike known as the Grouse Grind in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its popularity is mainly because of its accessibility and reputation for being an intense and short hike. The total climb to the top of the mountain is 2.9km and ascends 853 metres above sea level (900 feet). It’s a steep, relentless climb and what the locals refer to as nature’s outdoor Stairmaster.

Annually over 100,000 people tackle the Grind and the average time is about 1.5 hours. The trail is very well maintained. Steps have been built almost all the way up to the top of the mountain where there is a chalet and gondola waiting to take weary hikers down to the base. There are many reasons why people like to hike the Grind. Some do it because of its reputation for being a gruelling climb and they seek the personal satisfaction of just completing it. Others take on the Grind to prove they can beat their time and for bragging rights.

Serious grinders are in their own little world when hiking the trail. At the start of the hike they set their watches to keep track of their time. They hike with focus, intention and purpose. They keep their heads down, looking no further then a few feet in front of them. They don’t stop to take in the scenery or talk to other people but rather huff, puff, and grunt their way to the top of the mountain. Some get annoyed if people don’t move aside and give them the right of way. After all, doesn’t everyone know they are on a mission to get to the top as fast as they can?

If you look down the steep embankment of the trail what you see is appalling. Because the trail is so well travelled, many people think it’s acceptable to litter and cast their plastic water bottles down the side of the mountain. I’ve even seen people using hollowed out trees as a garbage can.  There seems to be no regard for people or the environment on this trail.

In stark contrast to the Grind there is another trail called the BCMC, short for British Columbia Mountain Club. It parallels the Grind and ends in about the same place. It’s a longer trail that meanders quite a bit and is not as steep. There are no fixed steps and the trail for the most part has been kept in its natural state. There are fewer people who travel this trail and those that do have a different mindset then the Grinders. You won’t find people doing the BCMC grunting and groaning their way to the top. No one is concerned about their time and the pace seems to be a lot more casual. You often see dogs on the trail happily running along side their owners. I rarely see any garbage strewn on this trail.

Then there is a secret trail that very few people know about. It’s called the Bluffs and it sits nestled between the Grind and the BCMC. It’s rugged, steep and mostly unmarked. It’s rare to see anyone on this trail making it a peaceful hike. I’ve seen deer the odd bear and various birds all adding to my outdoor experience.

What fascinates me about the three trails is the difference in the mentality of the people who travel them. Grinders put their head down, don’t look around and literally grind their way up the side of the mountain. People climbing the BCMC enjoy the longer hike and slower pace while people who do the Bluffs trail revel in the steep climb and peaceful tranquility of the trail. Three different trails, three different states of mind all leading to the same destination at the top of the mountain.

I believe the three trails leading up to the top is a kind of metaphor for the goals we set for ourselves. Sometimes you are focussed on a goal and grind your way towards it. You may not stop to look around or particularly enjoy the journey. You pass people along the way without giving them a second glance. You become impatient in your quest towards your goal and time seems to pass slowly. If you allow yourself to get pulled into this frame of mind where you never look around to enjoy the process towards your goal you may achieve it but will have missed so much along the way.

But if you allow yourself to meander for too long or are too relaxed about reaching your goal you may you get pulled off course. It may take you longer to reach your destination and along the way you may experience distractions, temptations or succumb to fears or doubts. This will block your path making it more difficult for you to attain your goal. And if you decide to take the more challenging route towards what you want you may have a steeper learning curve to contend with.

The next time you find yourself working towards a goal notice the path you are choosing and why. Are you taking your time to look around and enjoy the process or are you grinding away and missing life as it passes you by? As much as you will enjoy your final destination, realize that there are many paths you can follow to reach the same point.

So there I stood at the base of the three trails on this cold, Saturday morning in June. Not sure which trail to take, I started up the path where they all converge. I stood at the juncture and had to make my final decision. I chose to do the Bluffs. I didn’t want to deal with the crowds on the grind and I didn’t want to meander up the mountain. Instead I felt like enjoying the climb and the quietness of the trail.

I’m fascinated by the fact that there are life lessons to be learned in everything we do if we take the time to notice. On this day I learned that which path you take towards a goal is just as important as the goal itself.