> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.wewinwithwebb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Live for the path not the Destination
- URL: https://www.wewinwithwebb.com/live-for-the-path-not-the-destination/
- Published: 2026-08-17T15:48:27.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-17T15:49:17.000Z
- Author: Chris Webb
- Tags: Community

I summited the highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Elbert at 14,440 vertical feet. Back in 2009 some friends and I sought out to do it via full moon with headlamps. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening, a cool breeze and low 60's. A group of 15 or so set out on the just under 10 mile round trip hike that typically takes 7-8.5 hours. I was fired up for this hike and after the 3rd stop for someone to tie a shoe or take a break I decided to power on and leave the group behind. 

 I started a steady jog with the sounds of the wind billowing through the pine trees, my feet and breath the only sounds around. No music. No group chatter. **Just the mountain and me**. I was smiling each step as I encountered both predictable dirt path that allowed me to look around and soak in my surroundings and more technical parts that kept my eyes on what was immediately ahead.

**My smile never once left.** I was on a mission. I felt connected to the mountain as if it was willing me onward. When I rose above the tree line my eyes caught my destination. I had a small chuckle to myself, I was setting a fast pace, but had no interest in checking my phone for the time or tracking it formally. Letting go of technology, leaving the group and choosing solitude with nature on this adventure was the best decision I could have made.

 When I reached the top after more hands to feet bouldering to scale a more direct route I shouted like Rocky did at Drago in the 4th film, hands in the air, fired up and ready for anything! I called my friend's Mike & Rob who stayed by the campsite fire to learn one of them (after a few too many brewskis) tried to fill the empty cooler from a nearby creek to put the fire out and the power of the current against his less than normal coordination pulled him into the creek. He was not hurt, well except in pride and we all never laughed so hard, I was I could've seen it, but sometimes you can imagine exactly how it went down. 

**I celebrated the summit, but it lasted all of 10 minutes** before I started my run downward. I remember passing the group on their way up still with quick hello's, you're going to love it and see you at the bottom! I ended up making it back to camp in less than 5 hours while the group trickled in around 7.5 hours. I got a small nap waiting in my tent before we all departed for breakfast in Leadville before returning home to the greater Keystone area.

 The summit was breathtaking, the Rockies spanned out around me, the moon's effervescent glow felt like it was shining for me. Yet it isn't the summit, the majestic Rocky Mountain views or moon that I remember first. I first think of how happy I was each step, the physical feat of the journey, just me on a path of my choosing. That's what I hope for everyone, that we find a path that releases inner joy with each step on it. That we live for and relish the work. Goals, milestones and summits will always be magnificent, but they'll also be fleeting and temporary. Find joy in the path first - that's the mindset for a happy life. Do you agree? What's the last literal hike or metaphorical path that's given you immense joy in the work?