Archive for the ‘Leadership’ Category
16/12/2009
Mt. Everest, Dramas and Ticklists..And, Another Way
By R. Richards
Drama in the Mountains
I probably would have had the opportunity when mountain guiding for Alpine Ascents International, to eventually guide on Mt. Everest. Had I the interest to do so, or stayed with the company, that opportunity might have arisen. But I moved away from the classical “guiding life” to return back to my experiential education roots, and started Mountain Spirit Institute.
There seem to be a few **main types of characters in the mountains. The tribe with which I’m most comfortable is the Outward Bound experiential group of students and instructors, who are willing to step out of their comfort zones, “stretch” and allow the place and experience to change them.
Then there’s the N.O.L.S. (National Outdoor Leadership School) student or graduate who tends to be more pragmatic in wanting an experience in just the mountain skills with a touch of “expedition behavior” mixed in and important “leave no trace”.
Then there’s a third group, usually professionals, but not always, who want to tick off another peak, whether it’s one of the seven summits, or Mt. Rainier. They want to say they’ve done it. They’re more interested in the trophy than the experience. (more…)
Tags:Alpine Ascents International, best practices, Communication, Ethics and Guiding, Expedition behavior, Expeditions, Experiential Education, Health in the mountains, High Crimes, Kurt Hahn, Michael Kodas, mountain crimes, Mountain Spirit, Mt. Everest, NOLS, Outward Bound, Willie Prittie
Posted in Books, Climb/Ski/Mntneering, Environment, Experiential Education, Focus on MSI People, Holistic Living, Inner Work, Leadership, Peru, Power of Place, Room For Improvement, Spiritual, Traveling | 2 Comments »
30/11/2009
The Ripple Effect of One Couple’s Decision
By Randall Richards
Salatin Family Farm
Because William and Lucille Salatin decided to moved their young family to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and purchase a worn-out farm, they had the choice of how they were going to manage the farm.
Because they decided to “use nature as a pattern” in their farming practices, they established a way of farming that worked for them, the land, and the animals they raised.
Because they began using innovative ideas on how to farm sustainably in the early sixties, they knew what worked for them. (more…)
Tags:Food Inc, Fresh, Joel Salatin, Mountain Spirit, Polyface Farm, Sustainability, Sustainable Farming, Sustainable Living/Communities, William and Lucille Salatin
Posted in Animals, Conservation, Environment, Film/DVD, Health, Holistic Living, Leadership, Sustainable Living/Communities | 1 Comment »
18/11/2009
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki Mt. Cook Inspires, Gives Glimpse into Hillary’s Character
Hillary Museum in NZ
By Randall Richards
We passed through the Aoraki Mt. Cook area, on New Zealand’s South Island, and made our way through the fancy Hermitage Hotel to find the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. I knew of Hillary the climber, but the display, video presentations, memorabilia and photos portrayed a humble man with astounding climbing ability, a self depreciating style and sense of humor.
He was the first to reach Everest’s summit for a reason. His solid climbing skills, drive and competitiveness all put him in the position with Tenzing Norgay to be the first summiteers on Chomulungma.
Multimedia Displays, with Norgay/Hillary
The reason this story made its way onto this blog, is he seemed to have also been truly a nice guy. He was loved by his fellow Kiwis. He took care to leave the world a better place than he found it by creating a foundation that built schools and educated those in the Everest region. One leaves with a good feeling about Sir Ed, after strolling among old photos, his book collection and accounts of his relationships with family, friends and of course his sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
I have a greater respect for Mr. Hillary after having learned more about him at this Alpine Centre Museum dedicated to his life and acheivements.
From the Centre’s Website:
“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”
Hillary, His Early Days
“A tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, humanitarian, ambassador and one of the world’s greatest explorers, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe.
Designed to educate and entertain, the centre features a spectacular state-of-the-art 3D movie, New Zealand’s first full dome digital Planetarium and Museum which documents the pioneering heart of the region and features the impressive Hillary Gallery.
The Hillary Gallery depicts Sir Edmund’s longstanding connection with the region and touches upon his achievements, expeditions and life’s work. It was here he climbed his first major mountain, achieved a number of impressive first ascents including the difficult south face of Mount Cook, and trained for his Everest and Antarctic expeditions.
Located adjacent to The Hermitage Hotel in the majestic Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is an opportunity to explore and connect to the national identity and celebrate the cultural characteristics New Zealanders hold dear.”
Yo.
Tags:Aoraki, Hermitage Hotel, Mountain Spirit, Mt. Cook, Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Posted in Climb/Ski/Mntneering, Inspirational People, Leadership, Mountain People, New Zealand, Quotes | Leave a Comment »
06/11/2009
"eco" now in U.S.
New Zealand’s eco brand, now available in USA,
Just might take U.S. by storm, one good product at a time.
By Randall Richards
My wife has been living in Kiwi-land for a while now, and when we got married in NZ, I couldn’t help but run into eco products throughout the country. Now back in the USA for a while, I was about to have my sister-in-law ship some organic eco coconut soap stateside. Fortunately while on the phone with her I Google’d “eco usa” and found, lo and behold, their new USA website.
Here’s an excerpt on their voyage from Down under:
“Eco NZ was founded more than 15 years ago by Melanie and Malcolm Rands from their home in an eco village in New Zealand.
eco founder, Malcolm Rands
All of the families that lived in the farm based eco village shared a commitment to organic growing and healthy living, making this an ideal environment in which a young, environmentally conscious business could thrive. Each household in the village was responsible for their own waste water, which quickly highlighted the problems caused by using regular supermarket cleaning products that relied heavily on cheap, petroleum-based, synthetic ingredients.
(more…)
Tags:Amanda Richards, eco products, Eco store usa, Malcolm Rands, Mountain Spirit
Posted in Holistic Living, Leadership, New Zealand, Sustainable Living/Communities | 2 Comments »
03/11/2009
How Hearsay and Anecdotal Evidence has Created a False Industry Standard
By Erik Schlimmer
Avalanche Lake in the Adirondacks. Image: Craig Cimmons
There are many things outdoor educators agree on. For example, a warm meal feels great at the end of the day. Cotton fabrics take forever to dry in the field and should thus be avoided. Most small groups generate less impact than large groups do. Mosquitoes and black flies come straight from hell. And, all backcountry water must be treated due to the presence of Giardia, a protozoan that has infested water sources throughout the United States, causing the debilitating gastrointestinal illness giardiasis.
Now, there is no denying hot meals are soothing, cotton kills, good things come in small packages, and camping during bug season is cruel and unusual punishment. But, has Giardia really infested our water sources? Ask this question to nearly any outdoor educator and you will receive a harried, “Oh, yes it has!” However, to the above question I calmly answer, “No, it has not.” I teach a curriculum that embraces drinking straight from the source.
read the rest of this article:
Posted in Experiential Education, Health, Leadership, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
17/10/2009
By Randall Richards
Joel Cage prior to taking the stage
Tonight, I just heard my good friend Joel Cage play an evening at our local Sunapee Community CoffeeHouse. This will be one of the harder posts to write because no words will justify the experience. You had to be there. Nevertheless…
Joel played to a small audience tonight. He’s always been the consummate professional. When I first heard him during our early days, when the CoffeeHouse was just starting out in Sunapee Harbor, he blew us all away with his style and technical know how. But hearing him tonight was like hearing a different person. He seems wise beyond his years, and presents an affable, grounded style.
Joel in action at SCC
Aside from his stunning guitar playing and vocals, he’s really made a major shift skyward. His whole energy, the way he takes the stage, the feeling put into every note, brings the audience, (at least those willing to go), to a new level of warmth and community. It seems he’s been on a long journey in a short time. He’s making the most of his journey with the time he’s given – that is clear.
The first thing I noticed immediately, was his total commitment to the performance, right from the first note. The second thing I noticed about Joel, was his guitar.
At first I thought, “That’s an interesting sound hole placement for a *guitar”, and “what a cool finish and woodwork.” Then I realized what I was seeing. It wasn’t a sound hole. Joel had actually worn away the finish, and then the wood just above the strings with his strumming, until he created the hole after years of playing .” That in itself might be a curiosity, but it’s how he plays the thing, and how he and the guitar are one. The guitar is an extension of Joel. (*see image)
Joel Cage consciously creates a space, for himself, the audience, and each person in the room. He’s got the technical skills to pull off an amazing performance, but more importantly has put the heart behind his craft that puts him at the cutting edge, leading the way.
Read this book.
Often I talk about leadership in these posts, and the “Courage to Create” comes to mind (Read Rollo May’s book about this, with the same title). Joel is a true leader. It takes courage to present and show a new way, and break the mold of what we think music should or shouldn’t be. The gift that Joel brought to the audience tonight, was his ruthless walk to the edge and his skill in bringing us with him on his journey. Thanks Joel, we’ll be making the trip to see you tomorrow night, at The Mill. Keep up the good work.
This is why we need live music. Unplug the computer, the TV and get out to hear someone play this weekend, or pick up a guitar and play it. To be continued.
Tags:CoffeeHouses, community through music, Courage to Create, Joel Cage, Leadership, Live Music, Mountain Spirit, Music Therapy, Old guitar, performing, Rollo May, stage presence, Sunapee Community CoffeeHouse
Posted in Books, Inner Work, Inspirational People, Leadership, Music, Spiritual | 4 Comments »
18/09/2009
Lebanon NH, A top Ten City to Raise an Outdoor Kid,according to The Outdoor Foundation and Backpacker Magazine.
Magazine says Director Heath's Rec. Dept. gets the job done
MSI Director Cindy Heath who has also headed up the Lebanon City Recreation Department in New Hampshire for 26 years, has received notice that her city has received the tenth slot in the USA of the nation’s top 25 place to beat nature deficit disorder. Heath’s recreation department has focused on providing outdoor adventure opportunities for its youth for years and receiving recognition at the national level continues to inspire the department. Whether it’s engaged in actively leading residents into the outdoor adventure playground that surrounds the town, providing maps to conservation lands or offering advice to families getting started on their own, Heath, wants to motivate residents to use and enjoy what the region has to offer.
MSI Director Cindy Heath
Cindy Heath also serves on the board of directors at Mountain Spirit Institute. When asked about the #10 position in the poll, Heath said, ” We’re excited about what we’ve accomplished in the community. We have a solid program of diverse activities from rock climbing and hiking to snowshoeing.” She added, “Our goal is just getting people outside, and the poll confirmed that we’re on the right track”.
Editor’s Note: Pop Quiz – Name the peak and in what mountain range it is located, which is featured on the cover of Backpacker Magazine above. The first one to guess correctly receives a copy of the Peruvian Folklore band Chimu Inka CD “Fusion Etnika” sent by mail to their address.
Tags:backpacker Magazine, Lebanon, Mountain Spirit, Nature Deficit disorder, New Hampshire, Outdoor education, Richard Louv, Top Twenty-Five place's to beat nature deficit disorder
Posted in Climb/Ski/Mntneering, Experiential Education, Focus on MSI People, Holistic Living, Inspirational People, Leadership, Mountain People, MSI News, Service | 2 Comments »
20/08/2009
“Putpockets” Give a Little Extra Cash
by Luke Baker
Put-Pocketing
Visitors to London always have to be on the look out for pickpockets, but now there’s another, more positive phenomenon on the loose — putpockets.
Aware that people are suffering in the economic crisis, 20 former pickpockets have turned over a new leaf and are now trawling London’s tourist sites slipping money back into unsuspecting pockets.
Read the rest of this Reuters story
Tags:Donating, giving, ideas for altruism, Putpockets
Posted in Inspirational People, Leadership | Leave a Comment »
18/08/2009
By Randall Richards
I finally had to do it – I had to open up a “Room for Improvement Department”. I’ve been holding off for as long as possible. I almost started the category in New Zealand but didn’t really feel the need. Now I must say, I do. And I think you’ll see a few more entries under this category in the next day or so.
"Wealth Group" Visits Machu Picchu
When at Machu Picchu the other day, Amanda and I sat at the “Sacred Rock” area to Machu Picchu’s north end, and along with some French, observed a curious looking group. They were obviously Americans, but seemed to be huddled around someone or something. There also appeared a professional film crew hovering around the group, complete with sound man with headphones, camera man and assistant. There were a few people hugging for long periods of time. While I hug as well, something seemed a bit odd about all this. When I quietly approached the group, I saw an elderly Quechua man and woman in traditional dress waiting, waiting for (it seemed more like “attending”) the group, apparently as local knowledge of some sort. I still really couldn’t see the focus of the group’s attention, so I retreated and upon doing so, asked the film crew what this was all about.
Wealth Group Guru
They replied that “This was a wealth creation group” and the founder of the organization was leading the group of “V.I.P’s” here at Machu Picchu.” He added that, “the leader takes people to various sites worldwide such as the Egyptian Pyramids.”
“So, a pyramid business?” I asked. “Well yeah” he responded.
(more…)
Tags:Blending in while traveling, Leadership, Pyramid Schemes, Sustainable Travel, Travel Do's and Don'ts, World Wealth Creation
Posted in Leadership, Peru, Room For Improvement | Leave a Comment »
05/07/2009
Reconnecting with a Mentor
By R. Richards, MSI Founder
Screen Shot of "American Bedouin"
According to an excellent 2007 Aljazeera Feature video, Erga Rehns has been living the life of a Bedouin in the desert with the Bedouin tribes of Wadi Rum for seven years. I’m not sure if she still does though. I’ll have to do more research in order to contact her again. The last, (and first) time I saw her in person was in 1981, when we first met at her little art studio and home in Obidos, Portugal.
Some people are lucky enough to be a primed for a turning point in their young lives, and come across just the right person at the right time that poses questions, and challenges one’s view of the world – who plants the seed for a paradigm shift. Most people aren’t’ aware they’re ready for that change, until years later, when they realize the shift was primed by those mentors. (more…)
Tags:Aljazeera, Alta Utah, American Bedouin, Chiusa Italy, Dexter Randall Richards, ecospiritual psychology, Erga Rehns, Ex Patriots, Experiential Education, Holistic Living, Jeanne Pickett, Klausen, Living abroad, Luciano Cappella, Martin Strolz, Materialism, Mentors, Mountain Spirit, Mountaineering, mtnspirit.org, New Hampshire, New Zealand, Obidos Portugal, Peru, Simplicity, Spiritual, Strolz GmBH, Strolz Ski Boots, Sud Tirol, Sunapee, Sustainability, Travel, Utah
Posted in Conservation, Environment, Film/DVD, Holistic Living, Inner Work, Inspirational People, Leadership, Power of Place, Spiritual, Sustainable Living/Communities, Traveling | 10 Comments »
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