On July 9, 1958, one of the most remarkable events in recorded history occurred in a place called Lituya Bay, Alaska. A massive tsunami washed across the bay, wiping out everything in its path. At its peak, the wave stretched 1,720 feet toward the sky – 250 feet higher than the Empire State Building. Entire forests were annihilated in its wake and land stripped of soil down to sheer bedrock.
One of the greatest stories of survival I have ever read is the story of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914–16), also known as the Endurance Expedition. It’s considered the last major expedition of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Born out of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s imagination and his thirst for adventure, the expedition was an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent.
“Sorry, fellas – we don’t see much foot traffic in these parts.” Those were the words of a rough-and-tumble cowboy riding up the steep switchbacks on horseback as his huge mountain dog lunged toward us.
“The scariness of manhood to males may be symbolically seen in the many stories of indigenous Australian boys who ran away and hid in the bush as the time of initiation approached.” ~ Michael Leunig | One of the most recent crazes in men’s groups has been to take their sons through an initiation, or rite of passage. Cultures all around the world understand the significance of the passing into manhood, but some take it to extremes.
One of the most amazing displays of dedication, strength, and discipline I’ve ever witnessed was while attending a men’s retreat around 2004 in south eastern Pennsylvania. As a part of the weekend, a former Navy SEAL had been asked speak to the men after breakfast. It was something that has stuck with me that I’ve shared countless times around campfires and while leading men’s retreats.
One of my favorite pastimes is hand-catching Alaskan salmon. There’s something about being able to reach down into a cold rushing stream and pull them out with your bare hands that’s incredibly rewarding.