My Journey to the Summit

I was pushed to my limit and found my purpose in a bowl of oatmeal

My alarm rang at 3:30am. It was dark and cold and unfamiliar. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and joined the others for coffee and prepared for the challenging trek ahead. At 4am with our headlamps on, we began the hours long hike to the summit.

How did I get here?

Last week I joined a group of entrepreneurs on an epic adventure around Morocco. It was my first time in Africa, and I must admit – I cried tears of joy and excitement as I touched down.

I didn’t fully know what I was getting myself into, and yet after my trip to Greenland last year with the same group, I went in with an open heart and mind and trusted that it would be a once in a lifetime trip…and I was right!

Wayfinders trips are about Adventure, Connection and Community and we had this in spades on this trip. Together we traversed mountains and deserts, rode camels, endured extreme heat and cold, squat toilets, altitude sickness, long hikes, and long windy and bumpy roads.

We stayed in gorgeous Kasbahs and Riads, a mountain lodge and desert tents and ate our body weight in Tagine!

And along the way, I met many amazing local people and soaked in the rich culture, architecture, design, history, and music.

I gave and received support around business and personal challenges, developed new friendships and deepened old ones. And we laughed, and we danced, and we cried…and had a really, really good time. (Thanks for introducing me to this song Sherry!)

As someone who does not spend much time alone and would often do anything to avoid solitude and silence – I now relish it. I took the time to connect to myself and go on an inner journey – finding times to walk alone and be with my thoughts.

There were moments on this trip that challenged me physically and mentally – like climbing Mount Toubkal, the tallest mountain in Northern Africa at 4,175 meters high. We hiked up to the Lodge situated at an elevation of 3207m in about 5 hours - it wasn’t a hard climb, but the altitude was challenging.

I knew the hardest part was to come the next morning when we climbed to the summit, and I wasn’t sure I had it in me. It was an emotional evening as I grappled with the decision and in the end, chose to do it. I didn’t come this far not to try.

It was dark and cold when we set off at 4am and I could quickly feel the altitude affecting my breathing and muscles. I stopped frequently and eventually fell behind the group with one of our guides staying with me.

I pushed forward about 1/3 of the way to the summit when a headache, dizziness and nausea stopped me. I looked up at the trail of headlamps snaking up the mountain, then down the cliff edge to my left and decided I was done. I realised that I didn’t need to prove anything to myself or to anyone else. Without a feeling of defeat, I told Mohammed I wanted to go back, and he expertly guided me back down to the lodge.

Once back I threw up, then curled up under a blanket and slept awaiting the return of the others. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t go up to the summit and after waking up, I joined the others and enjoyed a delicious breakfast together. Honestly, there is nothing like a warm bowl of oatmeal with honey to fill your belly and soul. 

As people started to arrive back, we became the welcome committee! Cheering loudly and hugged fiercely. Then I dished up bowls of oatmeal, poured coffee and ensured my weary friends had everything they needed.

I had no idea how meaningful this would turn out to be.

That evening, after the hike back down the rest of the mountain and a 6 hour drive to our next destination we met as a group to share our thoughts and take aways from the mountain.

Two people said that the greeting they received and me handing them a bowl of oatmeal with the highlight of the trek.

I was lost for words.

All I did was hand them a bowl of oatmeal.

And then it hit me.

This was what they needed most.

It was easy for me to do this and required very little thought. Honestly, it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time but hearing how meaningful it was made me pause. 

No, I didn’t make it to the top and while I was sad to miss the experience, I knew I had been exactly where I was supposed to be.

It’s not always about making it to the top – sometimes it’s about supporting and nurturing others who make it to the top. And those same people will be there to support you when it’s your time. What a beautiful cycle.

There are many things I’m taking away from this trip – and this is a big one.

Now, as I immerse myself back into family life and business, I’m allowing the full experience to beautifully unfold. And I look forward to how it will help shape me as an entrepreneur, a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.