Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska.

Tomorrow, I’m heading out into the backcountry of Wrangell St. Elias National Park for 9 days. I will be dropped off in the wilderness by a bush plane along with a guide and maybe 2 other people. During that time we need to cross two glaciers and seven peaks to get to our pick-up point. There are no trails. So, we will be cutting our own way to the pick-up point depending on the conditions. As we’ll be carrying all of our food on our backs, our packs will start off at around 60 pounds. And lastly, as if that wasn’t enough, I’ve been warned that this area is full of grizzlies, black bears, wolves, moose, and other wildlife.

You may be asking yourself: “Why is he doing this?” or perhaps, “Is he fearless?”

No, hardly. The self doubt has been cacophonous in my mind the last few weeks. “I am physically up to this?” “What happens if I’m attacked by a bear?” “What if I’m bitten by so many mosquitoes that my whole body is consumed in welts?”, “What if I can’t sleep or get sick because I suck so badly camping?”, or on a grander scale, “Why am I doing this at all? Maybe this sabbatical has gone on long enough. Maybe I should just go back to my old job, make some more money, buy a big house, and then come back in 10 or 15 years once I’ve saved a lot more…”

Oh, hello old self stories. I see you. I hear you. Nice try. You’re just fuel for my fire now.

So, why am I doing this? I’m doing this because these fears are so intense. I’m doing because I know that in order to have the life I want, I need to be a person who moves courageously toward what his heart desires, not someone who just endlessly analyzes what he fears.

Over and over on this sabbatical I’ve experienced that it’s precisely at these moments — when I step into the unknown (despite my fears) — that the most unexpected, wonderful things emerge… Sights, truths, and friendships that change my understanding of myself and the world around me. Conversely, when I play it safe, or when I give up my long held desires out of fear - that is when I get off the rails, and ultimately am filled with regrets.

Tonight, I’m holding onto that truth close as I go to bed.

Tomorrow, I’m doing this, even though I don’t know what it will bring.

In two weeks, I’ll be back, and I’ll let you know.

~~~

P.s. - before I leave, I wanted to share with you the final installment of my top single image from each of the national parks I’ve been to so far. I hope you enjoy

Arches National Park (Utah)

Canyonland National Park (Utah)

Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)

Zion National Park (Utah)

Altrom Point, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Utah / Arizona)

White Pocket, Coyote Buttes, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (Arizona)

Death Valley National Park (California)

Joshua Tree National. Park (California)

Channel Islands National Park (California)

Pinnacles National Park (California)

Yosemite National Park (California)

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (California)

Redwood National Park (California)

Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)