I’ve been touring lots this summer time. Austria, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Colorado are the place I’ve spent my time up to now. A few week in the past I returned to my previous stomping grounds: Manitou Springs, Colorado. I arrived very drained. I had been touring all evening and was desperately in want of sleep. Therefore, I laid down in my bus and took a much-needed nap.

After just a few hours of sleep, I awoke and went for a run. There have been a large number of locations I may have gone, however I selected one among my favorites, Cameron Cone. I’ve been out and in of Manitou for the previous few years, by no means staying for too lengthy, however after spending six years of my life on this space, it’s one of many few locations that seems like residence to me. The run on the cone that day was no completely different. It was like catching up with an previous buddy.

After spending just a few days there, I made my strategy to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado to hang around with mates and spectate this yr’s Hardrock 100. Whereas there I ran a mixture of each acquainted and new-to-me trails. As common, exploring the San Juans was nice, however once we returned to Manitou just a few days later, it as soon as once more felt good to be again in such a well-recognized place.

Zach Miller exploring the snow-speckled San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Photograph: Morgan Elliott

In the future, whereas out on a run with my buddy Majell Backhausen, we talked in regards to the attractiveness of familiarity. As two individuals who do lots of touring, we agreed that there’s something very nice about figuring out the place you’re going. It appears a humorous factor to confess once we each spend a lot time in an area that raves about exploration. Not that both of us dislike exploring new locations, nevertheless it’s nearly as if the extra time you spend exploring, the extra you recognize what’s already recognized.

Don’t get me incorrect, discovering new locations is nice. I really like getting on the market and seeing issues which are new for me. I take pleasure in determining a new-to-me line or choosing my manner throughout a ridge. I like topping out on a peak and dropping down the bottom to see what’s on the opposite facet. I take pleasure in finding out maps, venturing off path, and determining loops and connections that the majority people don’t hassle with.

And but, even the best of adventures can go away one thing to be desired. Acquainted locations have one thing new ones don’t. They’ve reminiscences that give a spot a sure vibe. They’ve a way of safety. They permit you to really feel assured in your steps. They require much less planning. They permit you to flip off your mind and simply be.

In acquainted locations you don’t should query in case you are going the fitting manner, or if the road you’re on will cliff out or the path you’re following will lifeless finish. You typically know which rocks will in all probability maintain and which creeks are good for refilling water. In some methods this may increasingly sound much less enjoyable, however there’s something very good in regards to the effectivity, consolation, and sense of safety that it brings.

After I take into consideration life, I discover the same theme. There are occasions in life once I lengthy for issues to be thrilling and wild. I need that wild ridgeline and mysterious peak. However lots of the time, I discover myself wanting the acquainted path. Not as a result of I need life to be boring, however as a result of I wish to know that I’m going the fitting manner.

Zach Miller breaking new floor for him in Alaska. Photograph: Jess Schueler

Just like the mountains themselves, life is filled with selections. We’re continually making an attempt to resolve whether or not to ascend this ridgeline or descend that gully, whether or not to take that job or purchase that home. I personally am no exception. Generally I really feel like I can hardly select a bathtub of yogurt on the grocery retailer, not to mention make a significant life choice. I worry that I’ll make the incorrect selection and descend a ridgeline that ultimately cliffs out.

In these moments of uncertainty, it’s straightforward to lengthy for the acquainted path, to need the reassuring path with all of its little indicators telling you that you simply’re headed in the fitting route: that rock you’ve stepped on a thousand occasions, that nook you wish to zoom round, that creek you’re keen on splashing by way of, and the log you at all times hop — normally off the left foot. But as I am going by way of life, I discover that the path of life will not be at all times so acquainted. In truth, oftentimes it’s fairly the other.

Repeatedly, life seems like descending an unfamiliar ridgeline, not sure if it is going to undergo or cliff out. Generally the road is sweet, and also you make it, different occasions you must backtrack and discover a completely different manner. What it lacks in consolation it makes up for in thrill. Whereas it may well really feel intimidating, that is what makes life enjoyable. With time, you grow to be extra conversant in the terrain. You get higher at navigating it. The unfamiliar turns into acquainted. The scary turns into enjoyable.

As I am going by way of life, not sure of whether or not or not I’m making the fitting selections, I’ve to recollect these classes of the path. Unsure terrain, although intimidating, may also be invigorating. And acquainted terrain, although much less thrilling, is fulfilling in its personal proper. However for me, the aim is to not have only one, however each — for one results in the opposite, and every brings life in its personal manner.

Name for Feedback

• Do you crave familiarity after a while exploring new-to-you locations?
• What are the paths that really feel like residence for you?

Certainly one of many trails to be adopted by way of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Photograph: Zach Miller