Don't look back but always look back

So since I have the time and free wifi capabilities now, everyone get a bonus post today for their reading pleasure.

The title might more accurately read, "Don't look back but always look behind you" but that isn't quite as catchy. In general you should never look back in life. Once you do something or set your mind to do something, don't look back. No time for regrets. You can analyze any mistakes made or problems encountered after the fact so that you don't experience those same pitfalls again, but don't look back.

However, when traveling, always look back/look behind you. So often if we go for a hike, boat ride, or any journey for that matter, we are looking at where we are going and what is next to see. Very rarely do we take the time to look behind us and take note of what we just witnessed. Frequently, the scenery is even more interesting from this looking back viewpoint, especially photographically. The way the sun hits certain objects and reflects off water can create a completely different and more visually pleasing image. It also allows for a moment of reflection on where you just were and what you just conquered.

Stacey and I completed the 19.4km (12ish miles) Tongariro Crossing yesterday which peaked at over 1900m (1-ish miles high). It is widely considered New Zealand's greatest 1 day hike and is also considered one of the top 5 one day hikes in the entire world. It had volcano, desert landscape, volcanic rock, lakes, waterfalls, and forest. It was warm, bitterly cold and windy, rainy, and then warm again. It was the type of hike that made you both love and hate hiking. It was also the perfect hike to take note of where you were going and then reflect on how high you just went. Not gonna lie though, the time for looking back and reflecting on how high I just went was also time for me to regain my breath and let my heart rate get back to normal levels. But that's besides the point. Be aware of the moment. Be aware of where you are going and what you are doing. But most importantly, take a moment to look back.

Images from Tongariro Crossing