Badwater Basin to Telescope Peak Challenge | Death Valley National Park | California | United States

Doing what we intend to do is honoring and valuing ourselves because it generates Thought-Choice alignment, and that internal alignment is what allows us to feel well.

If our intention is to produce well-being, then we are invited to apply Virtuous Thought-Choice Alignment. This thought-based decision-making process supports us in feeling well every day. It helps us make the choices we intend to make with a fair degree of certainty, founded on virtuous intentions, so that we can nurture the well-being and happiness of all, including ourselves.

Virtuous Thought-Choice Alignment supports us in all domains of life by ensuring our actions align with what we intend to do, whether it’s running a mountain trail without quitting, stopping smoking, following a healthy diet, implementing daily intermittent fasting, being respectful with others, or losing weight.

The plan: The goal was to achieve maximum elevation gain in a single day—climbing from Badwater Basin (-86 meters), the lowest point in North America, to the summit of Telescope Peak (3,366 meters), the highest point in Death Valley National Park. Total elevation gain: approximately 3,452 meters. Total distance: approximately 60 kilometers.

The Route: The route starts at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, California. I crossed the salt flats to reach West Side Road, then followed it south to Shorty's Well, the junction with Hanaupah Canyon Road. I ascended Hanaupah Canyon Road through the alluvial fan into the canyon. At approximately 980 meters elevation where the road ended, I left all trails and climbed off-trail in a straight line toward Telescope Peak summit.

This decision-making process also helps when setting limits. Some examples include drinking only two glasses of wine at an event, consuming a maximum of 20 grams of sugar daily, limiting coffee to two cups and consuming them before noon.

Doing what we intend to do means we are self-loyal, honest, and respectful. As a result we can trust in our abilities, rely on our integrity, and have the certainty that we can count on ourselves to make the choices we intend to make.

Self-loyalty, honesty, and respect contribute to a healthy relationship with ourselves, which in turn strengthens our capacity for healthy relationships with others—because how we treat ourselves is how we treat others, and everyone wants to be treated with honesty and respect.

The Challenge: I left at 4 AM and returned around 8 PM. The huge elevation gain of 3,452 meters demanded sustained effort throughout the day. It felt like forever before even getting to the base of the mountain. The salt flats crossing alone was more than 10 kilometers—this was part of the challenge. On the descent, the steep canyons forced me to take small detours to navigate safely.

The Badwater to Telescope Peak Challenge

A healthy relationship with ourselves and others generates certainty, confidence, self-trust, peace, and happiness, and ultimately allows us to feel well.

To learn more about Virtuous Thought-Choice Alignment and its four-step process, designed to ensure we follow through on our commitments, purchase the complete Pure Love World Life Coaching Framework System. It includes six frameworks that act as your well-being compass. The needle is always set. It points North—toward feeling well every day. All you have to do is walk toward it. Every day.

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The Surprise: When I reached the center of Badwater Basin in the darkness, I started sinking into mud because of all the water. I thought it would last for hours. Fortunately, it only lasted for half an hour. Or should I say unfortunately?

Feeling better episode 3 – Doing What We Intend to Do Produces Well-Being

Salt flats, Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California

Salt flats, Looking at Telescope peak from Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park

Badwater Basin seen near Telescope Peak, Death Valley National Park, California

Hanaupah Canyon Road to Telescope Peak, Death Valley National Park, California

Badwater Basin seen from Telescope Peak, Death Valley National Park, California

Sunset, Looking at Telescope peak from Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park

The Badwater Basin to Telescope Peak Challenge, Death Valley National Park, California