I tend to be a bit of a hurricane.  Dragging people through the storm with whatever crazy idea I get it in my head to do.  Need a travel buddy? I’m already on the plane. Need someone to hike with? I’m waiting at the top of the mountain.  Need someone to help paddle a raft going full speed toward potential death? You’ll find me at the front of the raft. That’s why an 11-day white water rafting trip in the Grand Canyon has been in my brain and on my bucket list for a while.  But putting something on a bucket list isn’t enough. So I decided to make it happen for myself and five others.

It’s the perfect combination of things I enjoy:
Adventure, nature, and fun- not only to do, but also to remember doing.  After all, sometimes the best part of doing cool shit is looking back on it.

Growing up, I’d never have considered myself an “outdoorsy” or “adventure sports” type of person. I mean, I dropped out of Cub Scouts, was athletically husky, and didn’t even know I liked rollercoasters until I was in my early 20s.  

However, my 20s were a time of learning, being selfish, and trying as much stuff as possible.

In the past few years, I’ve hiked 40 miles across the Grand Tetons, slept under the stars in Vietnam, and nearly drowned in the Ayung River in Bali.  

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I have always been a beach person. I have always liked the sound of the breaking waves. The view of ocean always calmed my soul. The sun and warmth was always necessary for my good mood. It still is. However, it’s been almost a year since I’m living in the mountains. Waking up every morning and seeing snowy tops makes me feel at home. 

Those snowy peaks makes everyone humble. There’s certain intensity about that high alpine. It is guarded by wind and snow and ruled by gravity. And it is where we find these moments that defines us as people. When we are on the mountain, everything and everyone else feels tiny. Including all our worries and problems. It’s just the present moment and us, especially when we know that it has been snowing in the night and fresh powder is waiting. This is what I have discovered about the mountains, which actually added a lot of joy, fun and of course, challenge to my life. If you want to read more about it https://aisteri.com/blog/first-winter-season-in-the-alps/
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I remember seeing the lineup and knowing immediately that this was something I had to experience. This was back in 2014; I was 25. Acts like The Killers and Jack Johnson still held the top tier of headlining performers. While performers like Childish Gambino and Chance the Rapper were buried towards the bottom. But I remember convincing myself that I was going to the Hangout Festival that year. What I failed to consider, was that this would require planning, money, flights, etc. Time and energy my 25 year old self wasn’t ready to dedicate to something, even as amazing as Hangout Fest. So I balked. I sold my ticket last minute, at a loss, and I’ve lived the last 5 years regretting that decision.

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet”
Rachel Wolchin
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