Have you ever noticed how hiking up a mountain feels a lot like navigating relationships? That thought never crossed my mind until I took on the challenge of hiking Y Mountain.
Y Mountain: A quick overview
Here’s some context on Y Mountain:
- It stands at 8,572 feet (2,613 meters) above sea level.
- Located east of Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, it’s part of the Wasatch Front range.
- The Y Mountain Trail, also called the Slide Canyon Trail, is 2.2 miles round trip (3.5 km).
- Hikers gain about 1,074 feet in elevation across 13 switchbacks.
- The hike can take up to two hours. While considered moderate, the steep incline can be challenging. Thankfully, there are benches along the way to rest and enjoy the view.
But now, let’s dive into the four stages of my experience hiking up Y Mountain, and how they mirror relationships.
Stage 1: The excited start
Setting out on the trail, camera around my neck and a huge smile on my face, I was thrilled by the adventure ahead. The city below and the vast views inspired a lightness in my spirit.
This stage is like the beginning of any relationship or new chapter in life. Everything feels exciting, fresh, and full of promise. The “honeymoon phase” is real, a rush of dopamine and endless possibilities.
Stage 2: The oh-no uphill
Soon, my legs ached and doubts crept in. Why am I doing this? Should I keep going? Is it worth it? The steep climb left me breathless, and the cheerful energy slowed as I focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
This mirrors those moments in life and relationships when reality sets in and imperfections surface. The question becomes: Can you accept these challenges and keep moving forward?
No one is perfect, and every relationship has differences. The key is to decide if those differences are deal-breakers or if you can accept them and move on. However, red flags (any kind of abuse) should never be tolerated.
Stage 3: The halfway pause
The Y Mountain trail has 13 switchbacks, and at switchback number 7, I took a break on a bench overlooking Provo and Utah Lake.
Sometimes, in relationships and life, you walk together; other times, you walk separately for a moment. Space doesn’t mean distance, it can mean pacing yourself and reflecting.
If tension arises, take a deep breath, reflect on the path, and decide where you’re headed.
Stage 4: The journey back down (with a new purpose)
I didn’t reach the summit that day. Physically, I wasn’t ready. But resting and enjoying the view reminded me that sometimes the journey itself is the reward.
Walking down, I felt lighter, renewed, and hopeful. There’s beauty in setting new goals, pacing yourself, and growing step by step.
Was I disappointed I didn’t reach the top? Surprisingly, no. I felt grateful, accomplished, and excited for my next attempt. And next time I’ll be better prepared, that’s for sure!
Relationships are similar. When faced with challenges, the easy way out might be tempting. But sticking together, learning to give each other space, and working as a team can lead to incredible growth.
That day on Y Mountain, I understood that in hiking and in any relationship walking separately for a while doesn’t mean you’re not together as a team. It just means you’re pacing yourself, and that’s okay.
If you’re navigating a tough time in your relationship, remember: you need to do the individual work to make it thrive. And if you need a little extra guidance, I highly recommend checking out Karina Madrigal’s page for professional advice.
Thank you so much for reading!
As always,
Be kind, dream big, live fully!
See you soon,
Vanessa
Want to know more about Provo city? Go check out my previous post!
