Logic of Adventure
Several years ago, a friend asked if we wanted to explore caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park. In a moment of insanity, my brother and I agreed.
Rappel a Cliff
My shoes stick to the rock. My glove grasps the rope, controlling how fast I descend. My other hand squeezes the rappelling device.
My instructor explains how nervous he was on his first rappel. I don’t believe him.
I think, “God can’t be happy with me doing pointless, dangerous things like this. Maybe I should go back.” I lower my body another few inches. I look down.
Okay, that was a mistake. “Move,” I tell my feet.
The instructor encourages, “Right, keep up the momentum. Let out the rope until your head is below your feet . . . Take your feet off the rock . . .”
“Good grief! How am I supposed to lower my head below my feet . . . Ahaaaa! Okay. I’m hanging. Now what?”
“See you at the bottom.”
Rappelling over a cliff teaches things a schoolbook could never teach. Rappelling stretches the brain so it can overcome indecision and uncertainty. This is practice for making risky decisions, like whether to move west with the wagon train, or whether to get married.
Before caving, I thought the words “risk” and “mistake” were synonyms. But adventure has taught me that walking over a cliff isn’t dangerous, if I have the right training and equipment. My only mistake is when I avoid my fears.
Ford a Mountain River
Herman: We’re crossing this?
Mike: No way. We’ll be pulled downstream. This is a mistake.
Clark: Guys, we knew we had to cross this stream when we started the hike. You’re being wimpy.
Mike: Oh, I’m a wimp? Let’s get this straight. Nobody likes your attitude . . .
Clark: Somebody needs to be the leader here. I’m just going to do what I know is safe. If you guys stay behind . . . I can’t do anything about that, can I?
Herman: Guys, we need to stick together . . .
Mike: No we don’t. I’m not tagging behind some idiot who has to cross a boiling river just because the map says to!
Clark: I know when it’s safe and I know when somebody doesn’t trust me. Bye guys!
When we’re lost with a bunch of idiots on the side of a mountain, that’s the moment to dig deep for something constructive to say.
Herman: Could we look for a shallower spot? I want to stay dry. If we hold hands when we cross, it might be safer.
Mike: Okay. Sorry for getting irritated. I’ll try to cross if both of you want.
Clark: I’m glad you guys finally recognize my leadership.
Herman: We’re not following you. We’re just sticking together.
Making peace when peacemaking doesn’t seem easy – this is leadership. It’s called leadership because one person does more to conquer his anger or fear. This brings the team together.
When the toilet is plugged really bad, or when your mother has cancer but the family is afraid to tell her, these are moments to overcome fear.
Ski a Black Diamond
The mountain is busy with skiers. The wind increases as the lift carries me up. A sign at the top points towards the black diamond slopes. I pass green circles and blue squares and I wonder, “Why did I decide to finish the day with a black diamond?”
I come over a bump and the mountain drops from under me. I try to slam on my brakes. Too late. My legs go into basic snowplow form as my mind screams, “Don’t do the snowplow!” I hate this feeling of no control.
The snow hisses under my skis. My eyes look up from the distant bottom of the ski slope to notice a tree coming at me. “Turn!”
I suppress this intense fear of pointing my skis straight down the mountain and I break out of the snowplow. I’m in control.
When I’m controlled by fear, I can’t choose what to do. Skiing has taught me to see beyond that moment of terror to the next moment when I’ll be okay. This is scary. But this is faith.
Logic and Adventure
I was riding the lift up Steamboat Springs Ski Resort with friends when the conversation turned to the question, “What is the difference between brave and reckless?”
A friend explained how her missionary training taught her that God wants us to live a black diamond life for Him.
“What is a black diamond life?” we wondered.
“What is our rationale for adventure? Thrills? Pride? God?”
“Am I the kind of person who should be doing this?”
I never asked myself these questions before I began outdoor adventures.
Am I a person who should take this college exam . . . or eat this jalapeño pepper . . . or change this baby diaper . . . or write this article? For me, adventure makes sense because it taught me to ask these questions. And God has helped me find answers that come from faith and not fear. That’s the logic of adventure.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:38 am
are you saying i’m supposed to have my kids do dangerous things for school?
February 21st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I broke my leg skiing and that proved to me I should stop doing these sports things that don’t make a lot of sense when you think of all the expense it causes not to mention the waste of time so you might try not suggesting that kids get into this stuff and put their time into something more useful like education
February 21st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I think the point of the article is that doing adventure sports educates you in ways a classroom cannot. I know it did that for me.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:40 am
[...] The Logic of Adventure at A is for Adventure [...]
February 26th, 2008 at 10:15 am
“Am I the kind of person who should be doing this?”
To answer the above question in your post…Nope I am not the kind of person who should be doing this. *grin* instead I will live my adventure through your site here. :o) :o) :o)
February 26th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I really like your statement on peacemaking. We need more of that in our home. Is there a resource you can recommend to me? I know the Bible speaks much of it. We are going through a crisis in our family right now and are seeking a multitude of Godly counselors.Thanks.
Laurie
February 26th, 2008 at 11:45 am
This is a great blog - I wish you guys posted more often!
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Stephanie
February 26th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
[posting a comment for the trivium pursuit giveaway contest]
Your photographs are wonderful. We really enjoyed your caving adventure movie in the SAICFF a couple years ago!
February 26th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
[posting a comment for the trivium pursuit giveaway contest]
As a mom in my mid-40s, I’m not a risk-taker generally, but have always wanted to try parachuting. You know how they strap an expert to you and you jump together? I would love to experience free-fall, but for some reason could never convince myself to bungee-jump.
I’m glad for the contest post in the Trivium newsletter, because I wouldn’t have found your blog otherwise. Love it!
February 26th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Cindy, I’d say go for it! You might discover some talents you never knew you had! Sometimes we tell ourselves these adventures aren’t the responsible thing to do, or are a waste of time. They’re not.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Pushing ourselves to the limit, often reveals self-truths and not are palatable.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I am an upper 40’s mom, and over the years I have been on youth group trips where kids have been challenged to go rock lling, cliff jumping, white water rafting, etc., and have even participated in these activities myself. They are great for using as analogies for putting your trust in Christ, and for building up the body of Christ by working together and helping each other. Recently I have been considering how my workouts at the local gym are helping me to persevere when things are hard. Some of us have such cushy lives that we need to create opportunities for physical challenges to help develop positive character traits. I can see the value in calculated risk-taking activities for people of all ages. I never thought about how that can help with decision-making. I agree that we need to examine why we are doing the risky things. It is easy to become prideful in accomplishing physical feats, or to become a thrill-seeker, but more beneficial to see how pushing ourselves can help us be better for God.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I have always been a bit of a risk-taker and now as a home-educating mother (isn’t that risk-taking too!!), we don’t get involved in as much adventure as we (my husband and I) would like to. But it is interesting how risk-taking has many forms. I realize that having moved to 7 countries over the last 20 years (since I got married) constitutes many risks that were taken with much trepidation and covered in many prayers for faith and in faith. But aside from that, I do believe there is something very tangible that is gained in grappling with and overcoming fear on the physical level. I did that many times as I was growing up, climbing a sheer cliff, racing down on my bicycle down muddy banks and jumping off the top of the slide, to name a few. They were very small adventures but each one did something to my heart and mind, making me who I am today, where I tend to be far less fearful than my peers. I would say that all parents need to consider risk-taking as part of character training for their little-ones. Especially for our young men that will one day lead their families as husbands and fathers in the big world!
February 26th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I am a homeschool mom of three. This is a very interesting subject to think about. When my husband and I were dating we went on a rafting trip with our singles group. The river (the Wolf River) on which we rafted was much higher and dangerous than usual. I found out later that our group was the only group using the river that day for good reasons. Our raft got caught in an eddy and we flipped over. I felt like I was being flushed down a toilet. My life flashed before me as I truly thought that I was going to drown. Afterwards, I had a more, hopefully, Biblical perspective on the brevity and fragility of life. Also, as mentioned above, some character weaknesses were revealed in myself. I did not go next year. That was the year that one guy in the group almost drowned and ended up with about $8,000 worth of medical bills. So, my feelings on this issue are mixed. I guess I am in favor of minimal risk adventure.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Logic of Adventure
What is the difference between bravery and recklessness?
When I sailed on a tall ship I was surprised that people recieved permission to go aloft (climb up the masts on what looks like cargo nets onto platforms called crows nests or out onto yard arms where you stand on a piece of rope called a towline) for fun.
I went aloft every chance I could during evolutions (work) and really don’t remember being aftraid. Yet going up just for fun seemed very risky. The difference for me was the need. Bravery was doing what needed to be done, like securing the main sail when the clue had ripped out or even going all the way to the flood lights to haul up a small courtesy flag one morning. Yes, I loved the beauty, the view and the challenge but there was risk. The risk was not reasonable just for the beauty view and challenge. I did not think of it at the time in these terms, but to me risk for no tangible purpose seemed reckless, like tempting God.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
There is a stronger argument than logic to run the adventures of your examples: ?Enjoyment. There are people that love these outdoor activities, from buying the supplies, ?the special clothing, the environments, and the team. Sorry, but I do not see this activities ?as training to take decision in other ambits as getting marry or taking a test.?
I meet my husband in internet in April, he came to my country for nine days in June to ?meet me and my parents and in October I get marry, few weeks later we come to live in ?the other side of the worlds, guess what? I do not even have tennis shoes
“To find ?answers that come from faith and not fear”, that is a very strong point.?
Nice Blog, Nice Pictures, Nice Post. ?
February 27th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I have never really gone on any adventures, but I have always wanted to.
After reading this I want to go more then ever!
Thank you for sharing this with us.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I went skiing for the first time recently. Looking back it seems kind of surreal. Like, I DID that? It was definitely scary and nerve wracking but I had a blast. I’d love to do it again and try a black diamond. It’s probably the first time I’ve forced myself to do something dangerous.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I was so afraid my first time rappelling that the guys teased me for having legs vibrating like a sewing machine. I have since decided that some adventure and testing the limits is fine, but it’s also nice to just sit back and enjoy the view.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
My children and I enjoy this blog…gives us something to think about….
In thinking about “adventures,” I looked up the word in a dictionary and found: 1. exciting experience: an exciting or extraordinary event or series of events 2. bold undertaking: an undertaking involving uncertainty and risk…I wonder if God doesn’t have “adventures” that might look very different for each of us…individually picked out for us, which cause us to learn to trust in Him….
February 28th, 2008 at 7:18 am
I am not much of a risk taker but I think that the principle can go along with the message my Dad preached at church last Sunday. It was on Peter walking on the water and the faith that he showed in doing so. Even though he lost his faith for a time and sank he was the only one in the boat that showed the kind of faith it took to step out of the boat and take those steps on the water.
Please enter me into the Trivium contest.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Very well written blog! I’m afraid to say that neither my DH nor I are very adventersome people when it comes to our outdoor sporting activities :). He has enjoyed downhill ski-ing in the past, but I think that is as adventerous as it would ever get for him again :).
Please enter me in the contest!
February 29th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Nathaniel, I agree that the experiences we have when we take a risk are definitely worth the time and effort. But when you have young children (my youngest is almost 8), who still need you for a while, I also feel a sense of irresponsibility in doing things that are too risky. I don’t want my children to remember me as an old fuddy-duddy either. There is a balance there, but it isn’t always easy to find the balance.
My parents just came back from their first trip to Alaska and hiked Denali in their late 60’s. That’s the kind of adventure that’s more comfortable for me. I hope to become more adventurous again when my children no longer need me so much!