What is Highline?
Years ago, after graduating from college, I spent two summers working in Glacier National Park.
My long-time friend and conspirator encouraged me to apply after spending a summer there. I was still reeling a bit with the strangeness of home after spending 6 months in France and this adventure seemed like just the thing to help me get acquainted with my homeland in a fresh way.
I packed my bags with what I'd need to wait tables and hike in bear country. I also added Ann Karenina and few books that had been on my list for a while. Shortly after arriving, it became clear that the books would remain in the suitcase, while the other gear would be tested when I had a block of free time.
On my home page is a picture of the Garden Wall.
The wall itself can look beautiful, striking, and a little daunting when one first sees it. I look at it now and I see features that I can remember from up close--like the trail in the lower right corner, and Bishop's Cap--the little rock that looks like its name. (Yes, I've been to the top.)
In the lower right hand corner, you’ll see part of the Highline Trail—one of the most scenic trails that follows the Garden Wall and offers amazing views the whole way until you reach Granite Park Chalet. You then have choices—take the trail down to “the Loop”, hike up to Swiftcurrent Lookout, continue on the “Upper Highline”—the possibilities are limited only by your time, energy, and supplies. I've been on the Highline trail many times in many different ways--hiking from Logan Pass to the Loop, taking the trail to a point where I scrambled to a peak or an overlook, and going to the look out and hiking a different trail to get to Many Glacier. Each hike added new detail to my picture —flowers, mountain sheep, snow, and views that changed depending on the season. What was once daunting is familiar and rich with memories of stories and the relationships that were forged over miles of hiking together.
The easiest way to start exploring is to take the trail.
Many people choose to just hike a few miles from the parking lot and turn around. Those who hike the trail from end to end need to plan to get the most from the day: how will you get to the trail head or back to your vehicle? What will you eat? What will you need for hiking in bear country? What weather will you plan for? I know when I first hiked the trail, I went with fellow employees who had gone before. I benefited from their wisdom in preparing.
Even with all this planning, we encountered things to explore along the way that we didn't plan for. Wildflowers and mountain sheep invited us to pause and take pictures. Side trails invited exploration. Rainclouds invited us to cover up and stay warm.
Awareness of the fading daylight made us more alert to sounds in the bushes and invited us to make noise and move quickly through dense brush.
I hiked over 300 miles in Glacier National Park in two summers. Those years on the trail taught me about the value of exploring new places, trying new things, and learning from others who were generous enough to share their experience and discoveries.
To me, Highline is…
A path offering perspective
An invitation to explore
Deepening awareness of changing landscape
At Highline Coaching, when we work together, we start by crafting the journey you want to take.
We plan how long you have, how you'll measure success, and what strengths you have, how you hope to grow, and who you need to bring with you.
We’ll travel on your chosen path and explore things along the way that invite you to slow down, notice more, or accelerate. You'll set the pace.
And we'll pay attention to what you notice along the way about yourself and what you're learning. By the time we're done, terrain that was once daunting becomes familiar as you explore your path and challenge yourself to become familiar with the changing landscape.
Are you ready to begin? Let’s talk.