THE TOUR GUIDE

The sun was baking down and the North Carolina humidity was turning my ice cold sangria into tepid juice. This, like most family visits was trying my patience in explaining yet once again exactly what it is I do for work. " So, are you still leading tours?" my Aunt asked. I took another gulp of my wine concoction , desperately trying to absorb some alcohol before I sweated it out. "Actually, I work as a mountain guide and I do guided and instructional climbs, not hikes." I said this as I cringed inside knowing that the majority of my summer guiding takes place on a "non technical" route up Mt Rainier. I got the usual reply of "oh" and the conversation quickly morphed into something that could be easily grasped and enjoyed. I peered into my quickly emptying glass wondering why these were always such difficult conversations for me.

It never ceases to amaze me that my family, after all these years still don't understand or know what it is that I do as a Mountain Guide. How does one explain not just the job description but a lifestyle like this? All the cold days and midnight starts, the joys, challenges and dangers of being a Mountain Guide. But most importantly, how does one convey that I don't "lead tours" or go hiking with a picnic basket in hand pointing out the local flora and fauna! This has been the bane of my family visits for as long as I can remember or at least as long as I've been guiding.

My wife manages the massage practice for RMI in Ashford and I've seen some similar bad terminology. For ex. If I hear one more guide tell their climbers that they can go get a "rub down" or that "RMI now has a massage parlor" and that my wife is a "Masseuse", I'm going to strangle them. Literally!

But in the end I do what I always do, I take a deep breathe and drop some education. Words like "therapist" and "body work" usually play into the schooling. Unfortunately, I get better looks of understanding from my co workers than I do from my Carolina visits.
As far as my in-laws and family goes, well, I guess I have to take a deep breathe, prepare myself for the "T" word, say it all again, smile and know that some things will never change.
Sangria anyone?