Laboring For Free Therapy

Age is just a number. But age is also a state of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. While your actual age doesn't always correlate to your felt age (better or worse), it is a nice indicator of where I'm at on my life's journey. And where am I on this mortal quest we all must take? I'm half-a-century old. I'm 5 decades old. I'm over the hill. In other words, I'm almost 50. Wow- how did this happen, where have the years flown to, and what happens next? Many 50-year olds don't like that number because they are starting to feel their age. Include me on that list. So they take healthy-supplements, weight-loss drugs, anti-depressants, testosterone boosters, muscle-enhancers, bedroom-enliveners, and a whole bunch of other stuff. It can also include books and counselors and free advice that's worth as much as you paid for it. What am I taking? I'm taking a regular dose of true mountain adventures, which in turn allows me to take adrenaline, dopamine, joy, excitement, energy, and, best of all, freedom. I call this free therapy - no appointment necessary. All that is needed is ambition, fitness, and a few good friends who can help you find these natural highs. I think the Beatles said it best: "Oooh, I get by with a little help from my friends, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends, I get high (elevation) with a little help from my friends." I thank Rebecca Grace for understanding this is my therapy and supporting me unceasingly in wanting to head for the hills. She's such a blessing to me... On Labor Day 2025, I finally got to take part in one of my bucket-list adventures that I've wanted to do for years: The Olympus Traverse. The journey starts in Olympus Cove at the Thousand Peaks Trailhead. It climbs the Z-connector trail to the Zeus Colouir. Working your way into this mini-canyon, the scrub oak trees turn into smaller shrubs which then turn into huge boulders and dirt. At this point it is no longer a hike, but a "free climb." My friend Eric Badger, i.e. The Badge, said it best when I asked him how to do this: "it's a bear crawl hike on a steep, smooth rock face with a few chunks here and there." We worked our way up the North Face of Mount Olympus on all fours, following cracks, seams, and large chunks of rock. Those beefy and outcropping portions of rock proved invaluable - allowing for a rest, building confidence, and replenishing the mind and body that yes, you really could scramble to the top of this face. Getting to the top of the North Face opened up amazing views of this busy and filled-in Salt Lake Valley. We enjoyed working our way eastward on the ridge to the high point on the mountain, the North Summit. After a few dizzing looks into the Memorial Colouirs, we decided it was time to head toward the South Face. We worked our way down a few smaller "false summits" until we were at the final drop into the Tolcat Canyon Pass. This was a 30' section of true rock climbing with no gear. Fortunately, Badge lead Atticus and I down this section, providing enormous guidance and example. I just put my 4 appendages where he put his, as we downclimbed down an overhanging section of cliff. I definitely owe Badge a debt of gratitude, as we would not have been able to do it without him. Once in the saddle, I suddenly longed for winter and snow and skis at my feet. I have wanted to ski west down Tolcat Canyon for as long as I can remember. I have wanted to ski east from here down the main Memorial Col for years as well. I must come back to do this. I'm not getting any younger! Badge moved us forward on to the next objective, as trip leaders do. We scrambled up the south face till I suddenly heard something I hadn't heard all morning: voices. But not just a few - dozens. We were approaching the most popular summit of the Central Wasatch, Mount Olympus. Being Labor Day, it was no surprise that many people wanted to be there. We took a few pictures, Badge said hello to a few fans of his he ran into up there as chance would have it, we had some breakfast snacks, and down we dropped off the summit and onto the well-worn summer trail. The only report to give on the descent is an unfortunate one: I took one of the nastiest falls of my career when I stubbed my leg on a hidden rock while running downhill at high speeds. Two rolls, one loud yell, five bruises on hands and knees, and one huge road rash kept me hobbling for a while. Eventually, I found my stride again. I am grateful it wasn't worse. Free therapy on Labor Day 2025 on the Olympus Traverse was an adventure I shall never forget any time soon!