The word risk is described, as a noun, to mean “a situation involving exposure to danger.”  Now, I suppose one could claim that every action involves a certain amount of “risk.”  Driving to work on I-84 involves risk. Walking down the hall involves “risk.”  Calling my dad during the Giant’s 38-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers involves a tremendous amount of “risk.”  So, as I approach my mid 30s I’ve learned to mitigate risk more than ever.  With a wonderful wife and two growing boys, I think it’s my responsibility to do so.  I buy life insurance, long term disability insurance and I stock money away for unexpected expenses.  I try to eat healthy and exercise when I can, all so that I can enjoy these beautiful smiling faces for as long as I can.

There are times though when you have to press the limits a bit.  A chance to feel the rush of adrenaline which is so much more intense than the rush you feel when you realize you’re out of milk and it’s 9:45pm and you’re ten minutes away from a store that closes at 10.  This weekend I joined two friends, Adam Richman and Peter Dinolfo, on a hike up the Trap Dyke at Avalanche Pass in the Adirondack Mountains.  The thrill of climbing, hand over foot, between large rock pilings to leverage a foothold or else falling to a most unpleasant demise was 1/3 exhilarating, 1/3 irresponsible and 1/3 awesome.  Somewhere in that recipe are flavorings of astonishment, awe and I want to do it again.

In the end, this was one hike for the record books. A few great views scattered between cloudy peaks as well as some great and memorable challenges made for a recipe for success.  As I mentioned on the hike, this is one that I’ll have to forget before I can do it again but I know I’ll do it again.