Student Bloggers

For a brief period in autumn 2000, the legendary Peter Jackson and his crew transformed the Tongariro National Park, a brilliantly stunning setting, into the feared and menacing Mordor, the strong hold of the Dark Lord Sauron. The location (like most of the filming sites for The Lord of the Rings) fit so perfectly with JRR Tolkien’s description, it was as if Tolkien himself sat in the park and simply penned what was right in front of him.

As if the views themselves weren’t enough, the LOTR fame coupled with the eruption of Mt. Tongariro in late 2012 has turned the Tongariro Alpine Crossing into one of New Zealand’s most popular day-hikes with over 10,000 trampers completing the hike annually. Not only is it on the list of must-do activities in New Zealand, but also landed on the list of best day-hikes in the world. So, naturally, I went and did it.

Throughout the 19.4 kilometer trail, you witness firsthand how diverse the New Zealand wilderness truly can be. As Lonely Planet puts it, “Amid the thrilling scenery are steaming vents and springs, crazy rock formations and peculiar moonscape basins, impossible scree slopes and vast views. Diverse vegetation zones range from alpine scrub and tussock to higher zones with no plant life at all.”

My rather difficult introductory geology course only heighted my sense of awe for the place and as I stood at the base of ‘Mount Doom,’ my mind struggled to grasp the bewilderment of all that lay around me. It was breathtaking beauty under a blanket of blue skies and scattered puffy, white clouds, something you see on postcards that never really do the sight justice.

But then came the steep incline. My amazement for the trail quickly dwindled as I lugged my heavy camera and mass amounts of water up what once seemed like such a conquerable mountainside.  As each steep section ended, it was quickly replaced by an even steeper incline and my body, having not endured a real workout session since mid-February, silently screamed at me, ‘What are you doing? And more importantly, why?’

It’s a fair line of questioning, honestly. One, I believe, we all utilize when is a state of discomfort. It’s simple logic; why be in pain or distress when you don’t have to be?

Here’s the thing though- we need to embrace discomfort rather than avoid it. Discomfort, while certainly not fun, offers us some of the most rewarding things in life. Discomfort forces you to become stronger. Discomfort forces you to gain new perspectives. Discomfort forces us all to grow.

When your body scream, ‘Why are you doing this to me?’ the answer is actually rather simple; we push ourselves through the discomfort because whatever is at the end is worth the pain it takes to get there. Take it from someone who recently climbed a mountain- the view is most definitely worth it.

Sure, when your pillow is old and lumpy, by all means buy a new one to sleep at night. But when you’re three-fourths up a mountainside and your lungs are on fire and your entire body wants to collapse, embrace it and keep going. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Embrace it like a long lost friend.

After all, if Frodo, a mere Hobbit, can walk to Mordor, you can too.