CHAPTER 24

Enchanted Hills

Cliff was used to standing at the front of a room, delivering lectures to a sea of faces. But this particular day at the conference was different. After his own talk, he found himself in the audience, listening intently as his friend Alpine took the stage. She wasn’t talking about the usual topics of research or patient care; her lecture was about something much closer to the heart—career wellbeing.

As Alpine spoke, Cliff felt something inside him crack. Her words struck a chord so deep that he almost felt like she was speaking directly to him, reading the thoughts he had been too afraid to voice. After the lecture, he couldn’t just walk away. He needed to talk to her, to understand how she had managed to find the balance that had so clearly eluded him.

They spent the afternoon in the conference center café, the hours slipping away as they talked. Over steaming cups of coffee, Alpine shared her story—how she had managed to juggle a demanding career with her love for the outdoors. She wasn’t just surviving; she was thriving. Alpine had hiked some of the world’s most iconic mountains, ran marathons, biked through rugged trails, and even pursued a second degree in law. All this, while still maintaining a career as intense as Cliff's.

Cliff was captivated. How did she manage to do it all? By the time they parted ways, he felt a resolve forming within him. If Alpine could do it, so could he. It was time to bring his life back into balance.

The decision didn’t come easily, but it was necessary. Cliff realized that his work was still taking over a big chunk of his life, leaving little room for anything else. He needed to let go of some responsibilities, so he stepped down from two leadership roles at the institution, academic & research. It wasn’t easy—Cliff wasn’t the type to relinquish control—but it was a step towards reclaiming his life.

As Cliff mulled over the changes he needed to make, he couldn’t help but recall his solitude journey to Mystictown. He remembered standing on the balcony of his accommodation, staring at the towering mountain before him. The sunset cast long shadows, turning the mountain into a silhouette against the fading light. It was majestic, silent, and so much like how Cliff felt—strong on the outside, but carrying a loneliness that few could understand.

There was something about that mountain that stirred a longing in him. It stood alone, admired by many but understood by none, much like Cliff felt in his own life. The mountain was a metaphor, a reflection of his own solitude and strength. It was powerful yet peaceful, and as he stood there, Cliff felt an overwhelming urge to connect with that strength, to be a part of the untouched nature that the mountain represented. But until that conversation with Alpine, fear had held him back.

Now, fear was no longer an excuse. If Alpine could conquer mountains, so could he.

With renewed determination, Cliff booked a trip with a professional hiking company to the Enchanted Hills. These hills, standing at 1,200 meters, were known for their breathtaking views—often rising just above the clouds, with a temperate climate and lush greenery. The company rated the trip as easy, perfect for beginners. No camping was required; they would stay in a hotel near the summit and enjoy short day hikes to different locations each day. This setup gave Cliff the courage to take the plunge.

He joined a group of hikers who had also booked the trip, and every morning, they would set out on a new adventure. Each day brought a different hike, a new peak to conquer, and at night, they would gather around a fire for a barbecue, sharing stories under the stars. It was a far cry from his daily life, and it was exactly what Cliff needed. Sitting on a peak, looking down at the clouds below, felt nothing short of magical.

Cliff snapped countless photos, not just to capture the scenery but to hold onto the feeling of being above the world, in a place so pure and untouched. He learned about hiking, backpacking, and most importantly, about himself. The experience gave him a newfound confidence—a belief that he could challenge himself in ways he never thought possible.

When he returned home, Cliff wasn’t the same man who had left. The Enchanted Hills had left a mark on him. He no longer saw mountains as distant, unattainable goals. They were challenges to be met, adventures waiting to happen. And with that newfound understanding, he set his sights on a real peak, ready to take on whatever the next adventure might bring…