Page 15 of Wild About the Mountain Guide
It’s turned into a bit of a thing. She looks. I look back. Then she smiles self-consciously and tucks her hair behind her ear. It’s probably nothing. Yet, every time it happens, heat rushes through me, like she’s warming me from the inside out.
That’s not like me. I’ve led dozens of these retreats. I’ve never cared how someone looks, let alone whether they smiled when they glanced my way. But with her, I notice. I don’t know if thatmeans something’s building between us, but I do know it doesn’t feel like nothing. It’s not just us becoming friends. It’s… more.
I tear my gaze away and look at the rest of the group. Alexandra’s ankle is elevated on Alex’s pack, and he’s fussing over her like she might faint if he stops paying attention for five seconds. Brandon has somehow managed to find cell service and is checking his weather apps, while Christine efficiently organizes her wet gear into the most logical drying arrangement. Harmony’s doing something with her crystals that involves a lot of humming and prayer hands.
They’re all completely different, but this group works. Which brings me to what I wanted to talk about this morning before the rain postponed my plans.
“All right, everyone,” I say, getting their attention. “We’re at day two of ourSpirit of the Wildretreat, and I’ve spent the last day and a half watching you guys.”
“Should we be worried?” Christine asks.
“Not at all. Here’s the thing. What would aSpirit of the Wildretreat be without actual goals? It’s time we set some intentions for the rest of our week.”
Christine raises an eyebrow. “What kind of intentions? Was this in the welcome email?”
I chuckle. “Yes, it was. And don’t worry, I’m not talking about technical stuff. These are individual goals that will push you outside your comfort zones.” I look around the circle, meeting each of their eyes. “Like Brandon, for instance. You’ve got more outdoor knowledge than most people I guide, but you experience it all through screens and apps. What if you tried disconnecting from the tech and relied on navigating the old-fashioned way?”
Brandon looks genuinely panicked. “But my GPS—”
“Still works. You just don’t check it every five minutes. Trust your other senses for a while. They’re more vital than your tech.What if we arrive at a section where you can’t get a signal? You need to be able to navigate without an app.”
I can see him considering it, probably calculating the risk-to-reward ratio in his head.
“What about me?” Harmony asks, crystals still clutched in her hands.
“You’re so connected to the spiritual side of nature that I wonder if you forget there’s a practical side too. Maybe try grounding yourself in the physical world. Learn some wilderness skills instead of channeling the energy.”
She nods slowly. “The earth element. I can work with that.”
“Christine.” I turn to her. “You’re the most prepared person I’ve ever guided. You’ve got contingency plans for contingency plans. But when was the last time you did something because it felt good, not because it was the smart choice?”
She looks startled. “I… well… I…”
“Maybe try saying yes to something impractical this week.”
Alex and Alexandra are huddled together, holding hands and giving me an expectant look.
“You do everything together,” I start, “which is sweet, but you also rely on each other for everything. Alexandra, what happens when Alex isn’t there to carry your pack or hold your umbrella? And Alex, do you even know what your limits are, or are you too busy managing hers?”
They exchange a look and give me a sheepish smile.
“You’re right,” Alex says.
Finally, I look at Peyton, who’s cold, soaked, and wearing a ridiculously big yellow rain jacket. Despite all that, I still find her the most attractive woman I’ve ever met.
“Peyton,” I say, “you spend your life writing about people who take huge risks, face impossible situations, push every boundary. But when was the last time you did something that scared you? Really scared you?”
Her cheeks flush slightly. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Are you? Or are you observing from the sidelines, taking notes for your next book and following along because your editor forced you to come?”
Her mouth tightens slightly. The last thing I want is to make her uncomfortable, but this whole setting goals part of the retreat is part of my job. Every time I have the goals conversation with a group, they all get a little defensive. I’m met with resistance because no one wants to change, but in the end, they all go for it.
“Anyway, that’s it for the individual goals,” I say. “But this week is not only about personal growth. It’s about what we can accomplish together. As a group.”
I stand and walk to my pack, pulling out a topographic map. “Mount Hartley,” I say, spreading the map on the ground between us. “Thirty-two hundred feet, and our destination for day six. We’re going to summit it together.”
“All of us?” Alexandra asks, looking down at her wrapped ankle.
