Self-Help, Personal Growth & Psychology

Unlike the civilized world, wilderness invites you to sense the surrounding harmony and the utter insignificance of mankind. The

Tedium is a regular part of my job. But today the graphs and calculations fall away as I inhale the scent of dirt and spruce needles. Out here, I am half scientist, half disciple. I’ve left the laboratory far behind and, with it, the need to quantify and contain. In its place, I’ve reconnected with the simple act of observation.

Being in the wilderness is not just about things like self-sufficiency or situational awareness, it is also a place where you can learn grander, more meaningful lessons about life and how it should be lived. It can make you a better person.

In an environment like that, you have to make a mental and emotional adjustment to it. For me, that wasn’t a problem. After so many treks, I had learned to forget about my job, the bills, the car that needed servicing, how poorly the Yankees were playing, and the phone call I forgot to make. Instead, I focused on the present, on things I could

the desire to face the unexpected in a wilderness environment; to live by my wits; and, in the process, I hoped to develop higher levels of skill, intuition, and confidence. I was drawn to these types of challenges. I found them compelling and, as I got older, increasingly difficult to resist. I’d had my share of adventure. The