Leadership Lessons From Climbing

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“Great people are those who make others feel that they, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain

We went to Mt. Rainier this weekend and spent two nights at Paradise Inn, one of the historical National Park Lodges first opened in 1917. It’s has no Wi-Fi connectivity: instead it has this fantastic lobby area where guests can hang out by the fireplaces, listen to ranger talks in the evening, find a majestic wood table and play cards, or post a postcard in the “mail stump” – a huge stump next to the registration desk. The rooms are like tiny postage stamps in which you have to be creative about where to hang your wet clothes.

Paradise Inn is at 5,420 feet and is the entry point for most of the guided climbs. There are many routes up the mountain, but this is the route I took for the times I climbed on Mt. Rainier (summit is at 14,410 feet). That sounds like I did a lot, which is not the case – four climbs, two of which we summitted. But I did spend a lot of time doing training hikes on the paths out of Paradise.

Arriving at Paradise was like plugging myself into a higher voltage circuit. I don’t think I stopped grinning all weekend. So, buckle up for some climbing metaphors….

My friend Eric traveled with us this weekend. He did a fair amount of climbing back in the day as well so between the two of us, we have a fair number of climbing stories.

Leading my kids out for a couple of hikes this weekend reminded me of all the good and bad things about hiking with a group. The path up from Paradise starts out paved. But at this time of year, it was still covered with slushy snow.

Eric had a story about a guy he used to climb with named Dave. Dave was 6’3” with size 13 shoes. Apparently, everyone cheered when Dave was leading because he’d kick in the best steps. When the snow is fresh or icy, the person in the lead does the work to kick in solid steps. It’s like doing two or three stomps with each step. It’s exhausting. But for the rest of the team, if the steps kicked in are nicely spaced and solid, it’s a far easier experience, somewhat akin to climbing a set of stairs.

And that’s just one factor in which the person leading can affect the whole group. Going at a steady pace, not too fast and not too slow, and calling breaks at the right time all help everyone settle into a rhythm. Then there’s also the matter of encouragement.

I remember a practice climb on Mt. Rainier I did years ago when I felt totally spent halfway through. My friend encouraged me to take a break to eat and drink before deciding whether I could continue. He was absolutely right – I was totally fine to continue. Great guides are so good at making this call, knowing who needs to take a break and who needs to turn back. It’s not a one-size-fit-all encouragement train.

And climbers have great phrases to encapsulate the down sides, not that they own them by any stretch. There’s “Embrace the suck” to encourage leaning in when the going is tough. And there’s also the acknowledgement that someone has to carry the poop bucket – literally and metaphorically, our stuff goes with us.

Funny that my happy place is one where all those realities, including the suck, are parts of the experience.

Leading my own little team reminded me that life is better when we kick in steps for others, set a sustainable pace, and get a feel for when to encourage and when to walk alongside others when they need to go down to camp.

(featured photo is mine: Mt. Rainier taken from Paradise)

Related climbing metaphor posts:

Frozen Heart

Guides for Transformation

Finding a Rhythm

Climbing Out of My Gunk

Friendship Brownies

The Return Trip

47 thoughts on “Leadership Lessons From Climbing”

  1. Well, I learned a lot. Kicking in steps and the poop bucket. Two things, but they can be combined into a third: kicking the bucket. I am guessing this has happened, and I don’t mean the demise of a climber.

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  2. Oh wow Wynne, I love how you turned a hike into a learning opportunity on leadership. I especially love this: “Leading my own little team reminded me that life is better when we kick in steps for others, set a sustainable pace…” 💖

    What a beautiful lesson indeed. Sounds like you had fun my friend! 🚵🏼‍♂️🚶🏼‍♂️🧗🏼‍♂️

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  3. So much wisdom in this post. I especially like the idea that a leader sets a sustainable pace then walks beside followers encouraging them. Would that were the case in more situations.

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  5. I love reading about the strategies you/climbers have in place to obtain your very challenging physical goals while staying safe. The closest I’ve come to that level of pushing myself was when training for marathons, but that experience (more or less on flat terrain and with access to toilets!) did help me understand what you’re describing a bit better. My favorite part of this post was the description of the hotel lobby, no WiFi and inviting tables to sit around and play games. Heaven!

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  6. I do have a fondness for “dave” stories especially where he gets “cheers”. David was especially suited for his leadership role indeed. I am sure he knew how he was appreciated and willingly put in the extra work because he was acknowledged and appreciated.

    That’s the mistake of many organizations, volunteer or not, not to say “thank you” in my opinion. It’s a small thing, it’s free but it’s important. It’s the first lessons my Baba taught me – saying Please and Thank you and maybe the most lasting.

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  7. Climbing a mountain to the summit is a very special accomplishment, so good for you for achieving that, Wynne.I had a friend who on a whim (really!) hired a guide and climbed Mount Chimborazo (in Ecuador), along with his travel buddy. Although not an experienced mountain climber, he was athletic, smart, and very fit! At 20,548 ft., Chimborazo’s summit is the farthest point on the Earth’s surface when measured from the Earth’s center. Some years later, I traveled up Chimborazo (by travel van, with a couple of other people) to the rest stop at 16,000 ft. and buried a quartz crystal for my friend. Before he passed I asked him to put a wish on it. I promised I would take it up the mountain for him and bury it there, and now part of his spirit resides on Chimborazo. I know it was one of the highlights of his life, as I’m sure it is for you. I love your mountain climbing stories, so thanks for sharing them with all of us. Thought I would share my small one with you in return. Robert would like that. 🙂

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    1. Oh, I love this mountain climbing story, Susan. How thoughtful of you to do that for Robert! I’ve spent time on Cotopaxi but didn’t realize that Chimborazo as the farthest point on Earth’s surface. How cool is that!

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  8. I hadn’t heard of the expression “kicking in steps” but it makes sense. Kind of like the bush-wackers who break the cross-country ski trails! Poop buckets… I just figured people would find a way to go off-trail. I can understand bagging the used TP!

    Glad you’re getting the kids involved with doable hikes!

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      1. Yes, that’s certainly an awesome thing to do, especially since other mountain peaks have trash problems!

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  9. I’ve been to Paradise Inn, but only to visit the lobby. Such a beautiful lodge; wish I’d been able to spend a night there! Actually, it’s funny, I lived in the PNW for a long time before finally visiting Mount Rainier – but after that first time, I was hooked, and went back often. Tara and I were particularly fond of hiking the Naches Peak Loop; not sure if you’re familiar with that particular trail, but the views were (of course) stunning.

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  10. Your weekend sounded like paradise, Wynne. And what a bonus to be truly disconnected from the world.

    It must’ve felt like a full circle moment to bring your kids to a place that has brought you so many important life lessons.

    Life truly is better experienced when others help pave and kick a path forward for us to step into. And how nice it must’ve been for you to lead the way for your little and mighty team!

    I can’t wait to see the photos from your weekend. And happy start to your summer break! 4.5 more days for us over here!

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  11. Love the idea of kicking in the steps – can apply that to life. But I must confess the most interesting things was I never thought about the poop issue. All the travel stories about mountain climbing adventures never include that. 🙂

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  15. Some people have a gift of reading others and knowing what they need, better than they know themselves! Wonderful lessons from your climbs, Wynne! 💞💞💞

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      1. I do think leaders should participate fully. However with the added responsibility of creating the first footsteps, which is more physically demanding, I think another team member can oblige to carry the bucket. If nobody could, then of course the leader should. Like any leadership position, you have to be capable of and willing to do anything that’s required to carry the team. (Or their poop bucket 🤣) Great question!

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