The Mountain, the Darkness and the Decision to Keep Going
Let's make sure it remains there for generations to come.
At 60 years old, I found myself standing at the start of a mountain trail in Utah, wondering exactly what I had gotten myself into.
Our team of eight had signed up for Ragnar Trail Soldier Hollow—a 24-hour relay where we would run continuously through three different trail loops, taking turns throughout the day and night.
I knew it would be hard.
I underestimated just how hard.
One of the loops began with a climb of more than 1,000 feet in the first two miles. At altitude, every breath seemed to require more effort. My legs burned. The weather moved in with rain, lightning and strong winds. And then there were the nighttime runs.
Running a mountain trail in the middle of the night is a completely different experience.
Your world shrinks to the small circle of light from your headlamp. You can't see the mountains around you. You hear the wind moving through the trees. Rocks and roots appear only seconds before your feet find them.
There were moments when I was tired, uncomfortable and wondering why I had volunteered for this.
But there was always someone waiting for me at the end of the loop.
My teammate was waiting for me to pick me up and carry on our shared experience.
So I kept going.
And somewhere along that trail, I started thinking about something much bigger than a race.
This is why trails matter.
Trails aren't simply lines on a map.
They are invitations.
An invitation to explore.
An invitation to challenge ourselves.
An invitation to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with something real.
They take us into places where we can experience rain on our faces, wind through the trees, mountains on the horizon and a sky full of stars.
They remind us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
And sometimes, they show us that we're capable of more than we thought.
After 24 hours, our team finished.
Eight people. Three loops. Steep climbs. Rain. Lightning. Wind. Darkness. Fatigue.
And an incredible sense of accomplishment.
I walked away from Soldier Hollow with a sore body—but also with a renewed appreciation for the places that make experiences like this possible.
As President & CEO of the Southern Conservation Trust, I spend much of my time thinking about how we protect land.
But experiences like this remind me why we protect it.
We conserve land so that people can experience it.
We build and protect trails so that a child can discover a forest, a family can explore a creek, a teenager can find adventure, and someone like me can still challenge himself at 60.
Conservation isn't just about protecting acres.
It's about protecting the experiences those acres make possible.
And those experiences matter.
So here's my challenge to you:
Get outside.
Find a trail you've never walked. Ride somewhere you've never ridden. Paddle a river. Watch the sunrise. Get a little uncomfortable. Try something you don't think you can do.
You might be surprised by what you discover about the place around you—and about yourself.
Because determination has a funny way of changing our definition of what's possible.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply taking the first step.
And sometimes, the greatest things in life are waiting just beyond our comfort zone.
Help us make sure those places and those trails are here for the next generation.
Support the Southern Conservation Trust and the trails and natural areas we are working to protect across our community.
Because every trail we protect is another opportunity for someone to take that first step.
The trail is waiting.
Let's make sure it remains there for generations to come.
Sarah, Me, Vicki, Jeff, Sandy, Brent, Michael, and Troy.
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About Southern Conservation Trust
At Southern Conservation Trust, we are passionate about elevating nature through exceptional stewardship. Based in Georgia, our 501(c)(3) public charity has successfully conserved over 65,000 acres of land across the Southeast, including five public nature areas in Fayette County and the Fayette Environmental Education Center. We believe that protecting our natural spaces is just the beginning; everyone should have equal access to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Join us in our mission to foster a deeper connection between people and nature. Learn more at www.sctlandtrust.org.
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