Developing my mountaineering process goals
Why process goals matter for high-altitude success
In my biweekly Uphill Athlete discussions, we talk a lot about the difference between process goals and outcome goals. Of course the outcome goal is standing on the summit. That’s what people ask about, and obviously, that's the hope. But the summit is never entirely in our control. Weather, conditions, or my body’s reaction to 18,000 feet can end the trip regardless of how hard I work.
That’s where process goals come in. We need a measure of success for things that are actually within our control—things that can help us come home feeling accomplished even if a summit is off the table for an uncontrollable reason.
My personal process goals for Peru
While some mountaineers may have very specific skills they want to practice or something more measurable like nutrition and hydration, I’m considering this trip a fact-finding mission.
This trip will be my first full immersion in expedition-style climbing and it will give me a real glimpse into what climbing Everest will be like. So I’m stripping everything down to three basic rules. If I can stick to these, I can come home knowing won the trip, regardless of where the trail ends.
1. “Name it to tame it.”
One of my biggest weaknesses is rumination. I fall quickly into shame spirals, and once I hit a certain point of frustration, my emotions start controlling my body and I have a very hard time bouncing back.
In the mountains, mental resilience is just as important as physical resilience. With this in mind, I spent time this week writing out a Green-Yellow-Red Light rubric for myself as an easy way to remember to check-in with myself.
Green means go! That one’s easy. Yellow means I’m starting to slip into negative thought patterns, and need to slow down and adjust (water break, snack, rub snow on my neck, adjust gear, etc.) to catch myself before I spiral. Red light means the overwhelm is taking over—I need a full stop and a verbal check-in with my guide and team members on how I’m feeling.
As they say, “Clear is kind,” so this is also a communication goal. If I can verbalize the emotion or even ask the dumb question and get help, they can help me manage it. If I keep it inside, it becomes a liability. If I name it, it's just data. It stops being a spiral.
2. “Feel it, film it.”
I’m a photographer, but when I’m exhausted, I stop wanting to pull the camera out. But if I only film the pretty parts, TakingForEverest is a lie. The rule is simple: if I feel a shift—good or bad—I hit record. No script, just the reality of being a student on a mountain. This might seem obvious to most, but I often just FORGET to document things that I THINK I’ll remember later on, then when I get home I’m mad I didn’t take that photo. So this is just an easy mental reminder to myself to take the extra few seconds to take that photo (as long as it doesn’t compromise safety).
3. “Zip it or clip it.”
This is where the ADHD struggle is real. Mountaineering is a high-stakes game of organization, and my brain realllllly struggles with that! When I'm tired and oxygen-deprived, "losing things" becomes a very real danger.
The rule is binary: if an item isn't in my hand, it’s either zipped in a pocket or clipped to my harness. No setting things in the snow "for a second." If it hits the snow, it’s wet or it’s gone. “Keep the gear tight, keep the mind right.”
Final Preparations: Looking Beyond the Summit
Standing on top of two new peaks is the dream, but I know I can’t control the weather or how my body decides to handle the thin air. I can, however, control how I communicate with my guide, how I document the struggle, and where I put my gloves.
If I come back from Peru having mastered these three things, I’ll be a better climber for it—summit or not. That’s the real training for Everest: dialing in the systems that keep you from falling apart when everything else is hard.
I’m packing my bags, and getting ready to trade the Ohio humidity for the Andes! Wish me luck!
What process goals are you working on?
Drop a comment below or follow along on Instagram for updates from Peru!