Outdoor Leadership with Ashley Denton

Here are five common “flies” you should always present when you are working to recruit volunteers your team. Chances are they will bite on one of them because their soul is longing for something.

This had been one epic trip so far. The group of high school kids were loving life as we had traveled deep into the heart of the Weminuche Wilderness area of southern Colorado. We camped that night high on a ledge in Snowslide Basin and after a great dinner and stories around the stove, we went to bed for a cozy night’s sleep. Yet unbeknownst to us, a crisis was foreboding.

It was one of the first backpacking trips I ever guided. We were halfway into our first day, the group was doing well as we plodded up some moderately steep terrain. I was in the back of the group, having some great conversation with a kid, trying to take our minds off of the physical challenge, when all of a sudden things turned south

In a sudden outburst, “Spiderman” took off in a sprint toward the glistening frozen waterfall. His stride was long. His pace was rapid. I’d never seen ice climbing like this.

As backcountry enthusiasts, guides, and spiritual leaders not only are we called to hone our awareness of outdoor dangers, but we are also in a position to help people learn lessons about spiritual realities from the wilderness terrain.

If I only share the victories I do not make an impression of authenticity nor do I set-up a realistic picture of the path that will unfold for others as they follow Christ.

DOWNLOAD A FREE GIFT | The Outdoor Leadership Logbook. And Let me share four main reasons I have for keeping an outdoor leadership journal.

Successful leaders know that creativity and peace are poisoned by the pursuit of perfection. Seeking to be the “best” at something is like walking out onto a deceiving cornice that won’t hold you. Walk out on that thing just a little further—keep trying to be “better than everyone else”, and you are going down.

They didn’t expect to make it to the top alive, but the danger was not of a technical nature. They were on a combat mission on the front lines of the Pacific war of World War II.

I am convinced that if I can just simply believe that I don’t have to prove myself to God, that he just loves me, that I too can be sent off on my way, as an ambassador to bring salvation to the world through the proclamation of the Gospel.