5 things I learned from the mountains

Our LaMunt crew member Lisa Kapuscinski on being respectful of nature, trusting yourself and responsible waste habits.

#1 Resilience.

The mountains are millions of years old. They were there long before us - and will be long after us. When I am in the mountains and let my gaze wander, it always puts my everyday life into perspective. Everyday troubles seem tiny compared to the mountains, the cliffs and the alpine meadows. The mountains don’t care who you are, where you come from or where you are going. The mountains are a refuge for everyone.

#2 Respect.

One of the most important things in the mountains - and probably in life - is respect. Thoughtful, considerate tour planning is crucial, especially when it comes to difficult weather conditions or closed trails, for example (the latter make a lot of sense, as they often serve to protect flora and fauna). And respect should also be a matter at hand when it comes to litter: What you bring to the mountain, you take back home. Speaking of respect: I always plan my route according to my skills. Going to the mountains - means exposing yourself to outside influences such as the weather or the quality of the trail. That makes it all the more important to assess your body, its condition, strength and concentration properly. Showing respect sometimes also means acknowledging limits: To stop a tour and try it again at another time. And that’s absolutely okay.

#3 Confidence.

What I have also been learning on my journeys through the mountains: Trust. Trust in myself, in my decisions, in my body and in my own ability. But a just as important realization for me is that I can put my trust in others. When you go into the mountains together, you get committed to each other. There’s no room for ego, whims and going it alone - you act as a team.

#4 Joie de vivre.

Admittedly, the mountains can sometimes demand a lot from us. I have already left a drop or two of sweat and tears on the trail. But the mountains offer so much more in return. They are a place where I recharge my batteries, clear my head, find inspiration and enjoy the moment. This experience is hard to put into words - it’s best to go to the mountains yourself and keep your eyes and heart open.

#5 Flexibility.

In the mountains you can never really know what to expect. Weather changes? Certainly not an exception. A surprisingly strenuous ascent? That happens. All the more important to have adaptable clothing with you. Because even the most beautiful mountain tour, the brightest weather and the best company will be just a little bit more beautiful if you are comfortably and dryly dressed on the summit. A flexible change of clothes is therefore my secret tip. I now have my personal favourites for summer, for wind and high altitudes and for winter tours that I like to rely on.