The Way Up

INTRODUCTION: THE CORPORATE MOUNTAIN

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

—Rumi, thirteenth-century Persian poet and Islamic scholar

In 2016, I took my first solo trip to Thailand, with a goal to climb the great Doi Inthanon. Located in the city of Chiang Mai, it is the highest mountain in the entire country. Indeed, it stands at 8,415 feet high. At the top is a shrine called the Summit of Doi Inthanon, a tribute to Inthawichayanon, who was the King Ruler of the second-biggest city in Thailand, Chiang Mai, from 1870 to 1897. Before dying, he requested his ashes be buried there to call attention to the preservation of the forest and wildlife. Since then, Doi Inthanon has been maintained by the Thai government and has become a popular tourist attraction.

Trekking up that mountain takes a lot of logistics and preparation. While there are many trails to the top, it's essential to have a tour guide who will know which trails to explore. For example, the trails Kew Mae Pan or Angka are fairly stable and predictable. However, there are other trails that have not been maintained well at all. They are not only difficult but may be downright dangerous. My tour guide not only helped me navigate which path to take, but also shared other insightful information.

The Thai mountain Doi Inthanon is prone to a variety of unpredictable weather conditions. Whether you hike during the hot dry season or in the rainy season, the weather ...