I’ve never considered myself a backpacker. I’ve done my fair share of day hikes with a granola bar in tow, and I regularly kayak through gator-filled bayous (though I’ve yet to see one). I’ve even gone glamping under Texas stars. But outside of childhood scouting trips and one regrettable night in a truck camper, I’ve always ended my outdoor adventures in a warm bed and a hot shower. That changed recently when I agreed to go backpacking in the wilds of New Mexico.
My trail partner, who goes by “Chiripada,” is a seasoned backpacker. His name, taken from a winery we passed, loosely translates from Spanish to “unexpected luck”—like spilling your coffee and finding money while cleaning it up. That description ended up summing up much of our adventure.
Oddly enough, my career in legal innovation actually mirrored the lessons I learned in the wilderness:
1. Expect the Unexpected
In both tech projects and hiking, things go wrong. A storm that wasn’t supposed to hit our trail at 11,000 feet turned into a thunder-and-lightning-filled night in a tent. Instead of worrying about power outages, we were worried about being struck by lightning. We made it through—but not quite as planned.
Our original route to Stewart Lake had to be abandoned due to altitude issues, lack of water, and nightfall. Instead, we found a flat spot to camp—only to be woken at 3 a.m. by a bear. (Yes, we later confirmed from audio clips that it was an angry bear.)
2. Prepare as Best You Can
Like prepping for a big presentation or product demo, preparation matters. My job was to plan the itinerary and book overnight stays between hikes. I built a detailed spreadsheet with distances, drive times, and daily goals. We didn’t stick to the schedule exactly, but it helped keep us oriented when the days started to blur.
3. Travel Light
Overpacking in legal projects—or on trails—slows you down. Carrying a heavy pack uphill at altitude is no joke. The second time out, we trimmed our gear and were much better off. Lesson: prioritize essentials and don’t overcomplicate.
4. Go Together to Go Far
Solo efforts might be quicker, but lasting change requires collaboration. I wouldn’t have attempted backpacking without Chiripada’s encouragement. He got me hyped, helped with prep, and kept morale high when things got tough. We leaned on each other when we hit our limits.
5. Pivot When Needed
Plans change. On our first hike, we had to scrap our destination due to a late start, altitude sickness, and low supplies. It was disappointing, but necessary. In projects or on the trail, you have to adapt when things don’t go as planned.
6. Stay Focused
We made avoidable errors because we lost focus—forgot essential gear like a knife and matches, missed checking a map before we lost signal, and had to detour for missing supplies. These distractions added stress and risk. Focus matters.
7. Mistakes = Learning Opportunities
The failed Stewart Lake hike helped us recalibrate. We swapped a tougher trail for a more manageable one to Williams Lake, where we had an amazing time, met fellow hikers, and even found a hidden waterfall. We also discovered a shorter, better trail to Stewart Lake for a future trip.
8. Handle Setbacks Without Drama
Our stove failed, leaving us unable to cook dinner. After a long day, it felt catastrophic. But we had backup food—granola—and it tasted like the best thing we’d ever eaten. In work and life, fix what you can and move on.
9. Let Go of the Small Stuff
Minor setbacks happened constantly, but none were disastrous. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the “what ifs,” but grace and perspective go a long way when things don’t go perfectly.
10. Savor the Serendipity
Unlike simply expecting things to go wrong, serendipity is about recognizing small, joyful surprises. A thirsty dog we gave water to. An impromptu photoshoot under a waterfall. Stargazing in pitch-black wilderness. Conversations with strangers who shared great food tips in Taos. These unplanned moments made the experience unforgettable.
I’m not trading in my mattress for a sleeping bag just yet, but this trip gave me fresh perspective. The wilderness—and everything that came with it—reminded me of lessons that apply equally in the wild world of innovation. So next time a big project looms, consider packing a granola bar, a Leatherman, and a little faith in chiripada—you never know what surprises are around the bend.
