An exuberant 12 hour journey

When summer comes to the Pacific Northwest, there’s no time to lose. The season is short, so exuberants are on the move, getting out whenever possible. This last weekend, my partner and I rallied for an ascent of Cutthroat Peak in the North Cascades. As mountains go, this one is intermediate, requiring only average mountaineering skills, equipment and fitness level. Our ascent was not a notable athletic achievement by any means, but it was an exuberant animal classic. All the elements were there. Our experience was…

physical: we were on the go for nearly the entire time, 3,000 feet elevation gain at a brisk pace

tactile: lots of skin contact with rough rock, bushes and dirt

circadian: up with the sun, light exposure all day

integrating: enough danger to focus the mindbody on the here and now

biophilic: great views of a fantastic natural ecosystem

social: close synchronization of every action with your partner

spiritual: celebrate the summit, luxuriate in simple pleasures on the return

With all these elements in place, this experience was immensely satisfying. We took pleasure on so many levels we were already planning our next trip on the ride home.

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With this experience as an example, we’ll be soon be announcing  a user forum so that you’ll be able to share your own exuberant animal experiences with others. We’re looking for a well-rounded physical experience that integrates core Exuberant Animal elements and values. Once we get the process rolling, we’ll  showcase the best examples so that they can generate ideas and inspiration. So if you’re out being an exuberant, get ready to share!