Six years ago, I hiked the King’s Throne trail in Kluane. I didn’t make it all the way. Mountain hiking terrifies me to some degree. I think it’s a fear of heights mixed with being out of shape and having shaking legs on steep trails were it feels like a slip up could cause a crazy fall.
One of the items on my trip list was to finish King’s Throne. I have done quite a bit of hiking on this trip, including 2 mountains. The tallest was 950m. They were hard work…
King’s Throne is a 2 part trail. The main part goes to the seat of the throne. As you can see in the picture, there is a hollow in the mountain that makes it kind of like a seat. The trail climbs up that loose rock that pours down from it. The second part is up the ridge and across to the summit…but it is simply a route that can be followed…not a maintained trail. Before you get excited, I just did the first part. The first part is only 500m of elevation gain and a 10 km round trip. …and somehow I didn’t complete even that 6 years ago.
I had hiked bigger mountains on this trip. But for some reason I was dreading this hike. Last time I turned around largely because of how steep it was. I almost didn’t do it. In fact I arrived at the trailhead and kept driving past it….not wanting to stop.
But I did do it.
And it actually wasn’t that bad. I’m in better shape after over two months on the road…and I have hiking poles. The hiking poles make a massive difference on the steep parts, although it can still be scary. I have no idea how other people do these trails and seem like it’s just a walk in the park…maybe they lack the fear of heights? Either way, I survived the steep way down…even if I did slip a few times. I was praying the whole way.
Well this seems like a different blog entry… I hiked up a mountain and I hiked back down. What makes this a big deal for me is that I am learning to conquer fear. There are things in my life that are held back by fear.
Meanwhile, I’m the fearless explorer who is driving remote roads and crazy off road tracks in Yukon…and I’m honestly not afraid. But hiking mountains terrifies me. Yet, I hiked 3 of them.
And it was worth it each time.
My trip is coming to an end soon. The days are ticking by faster and faster now. I like my life on the road. Even after 3 months, it seems easier than dealing with certain troubles and fears back home. I think what I’ve been learning through my mountain hiking is that I can’t let fear hold me back.
As I was sitting at the throne, a thought came to me. This throne is way too big for me. I may have conquered this trail, but I’m not the king. There is only one who could rightly claim this throne…and it’s way too small for Him.
Yes, I need to conquer fear, but the great comfort I’ve been learning so much on this trip is that God is there and would never let any evil happen to me without reason. Somehow it’s harder to trust that when I’m back home in everyday life…but that doesn’t make it any less true.
“I look up to the mountains
Does my help come from there?
My help comes from the LORD.
who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.”
Psalm 121:1-3
The Narrow Twisty Road 
Wow! I’m so happy for you that you pushed through this fear and you did it! Can you go back and go all the way? That would be so empowering. I have a fear of heights and also get the shaky legs and fear they will give out on my, especially on loose rocks and going downhill. Poles help so much! Now you can remember this experience when you have to face real life. You can read about some of my fear-facing on my blog. Just click the fear tags. God bless!