Before looking ahead, the question is – what stands behind me; my Wilderness Origination eXperience, or WOX. Blindly, I assumed that everyone who was interested would learn about and take advantage of wilderness experiences. The data shows this could not be further from the truth. For many, these wild places do not feel welcome or safe. Fortunately, the outdoors is now avidly enjoyed by both genders, but people of color or those never exposed through family or friends do not have a WOX, and the door remains closed.
I now realize my WOX was a rare gift given to me by my father. My father’s WOX happened when he was in his 40’s as he supported my oldest brother’s pursuit of a Wilderness Survival merit badge. My life would not be the same if I did not spend countless days scrambling up the highest ridge or finding myself in a never-ending universe. But mostly, the gift is memories of being with those that I love.
My father’s hiking hat is at the center of some of our most bizarre stories. His hat is now resting in a cairn high above it all. His spirit and all those I shared the trail with are coming with me on this adventure. Let’s do this.