Beyond the Solo - Hugo

Last year, I thought I was grateful for all the solo adventures I was having. I was pushing my limits, chasing peaks, and doing it all on my own. It was about proving to myself I could do it. I was grateful for the solitude, for the moments when it was just me and nature.

But this year, something’s shifted. Now, I’m grateful for something else.

I have a friend who wants to do a hike every month. I’m taking him to trails I’ve done before, but this time, I get to see them through his eyes. The sound of his snowshoes on a frozen lake, the hike up to his first 10K summit, the quiet sitting at the top of a snowy peak. It’s the same trail, but seeing it through his perspective makes it feel new again.

This new perspective has made me realize that gratitude isn’t just about what I’ve done alone. It’s about the people I can share those moments with, and how they become more meaningful when experienced together.