You’ll need a map, there will most likely be a few different routes to the top. Some hikers will take the longer route, more winding and less steep. Take your time, go at your own pace, and enjoy the hike up.

Some hikers will see the shorter, steeper, more arduous and direct route to the top and say “that’s for me!”. Just know what you’re getting in to. You’ll waste a lot of time if you try and turn back around once you’re half way there if you change your mind. Take a pause now and again on your way up — grab a sip and catch your breath.

As long as you keep driving one foot in front of the other and avoid the major obstacles, you’ll eventually get to the top. Some peaks are higher than others, and some more spectacular. But ALWAYS enjoy the view once you get there. Take a sec to have a look around, pat yourself on the back, take a selfie, and celebrate your journey up.

But remember, you can’t just stay there. You have to come down at some point — it’s inevitable. Hopefully you can start coming down when you’re ready, and take the path of your own choosing. But it’s not always possible. You might be rushed by timing outside of your control. Or there might be other forces that make you have to chart a new course. Don’t get frustrated. Everyone comes down at some point. So enjoy the time you are there, but know it’s not everlasting.

Even the smoothest looking paths have hidden tree roots that grab your toes and trip you up. Hopefully you won’t fall down, but if you do: check for any serious bruising, and always try to laugh. Everyone has fallen, but not everyone can laugh it off and get right back on climbing.

And when you make it back to the bottom, remember there are tons of other hills out there, big and small, just waiting for you to climb them. #KeepClimbing.