Loving the Mountain Man

While waiting at the Aspen Airport this morning to pick up my bestie, I stumbled across this article in the Aspen Daily News written by Beth Brandon called "How the Mountain Man Was Won". At one time Beth was new to the valley, and like me, her heart too was captivated by a Mountain Man. I just have to share it with you... Because, loving a Mountain Man is quite an adventure! Read on, and I am sure you will begin to understand!

How the Mountain Man Was Won

by Beth Brandon, Roaring Sports Columnist

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Mountain men are a different breed. When I first moved here, the mountain man was appealing, but intimidating. I hadn’t camped much or skied or done any of the things that I believed to be the yin to his yang. I thought that his female counterpart was supposed to wear Carhartt and be generally quite burly.

However, if a gal stays here for any length of time, mountain woman tendencies can creep in subconsciously. And suddenly the things you enjoy doing might have you cross paths with the mountain man.

Men and women are such different creatures. The sooner one understands and embraces this fact the better. The fact that we’re supposed to pair up is a humorous challenge at best.

I once dated a guy whose favorite color was “the blue inside a glacier,” which made me think that due to my tendency for stylish fashion, he might be a bit too mountain man for my taste. I also dated a naturalist who schooled me on various flora and fauna and showed me which of the flora I could eat in case I ever needed to make a backcountry salad. Who knew?! There are all types of mountain men in these parts.

I remember, at times, in past mountain-man relationships and even the one I’m currently in, I felt completely foreign and cast aside for heli-skiing or a boys’ bike ride. And in truth, I was. But what is important to remember for the ladies is that you won’t always want to hang out with him either.

It’s the same as wanting to go drink wine with the girls or do a bike ride sans testosterone. You must remember that as long as the mountain man gets time for such activities, he’ll be good to you. But without them, he won’t feel quite himself.

Some friends and I were talking the other night about unrealistic expectations in relationships. More importantly we talked about how if you take away the idea that a man should fulfill everything then things would be so much easier. If I want to gab for hours, I’m not calling a guy.

Keeping men happy involves sleep, food, sex and sport. Keeping a mountain man — and other frisky breeds — happy requires the same factors, but also that he be a direct participant in the sport, no couch surfing allowed.

Mountain men can sleep on the ground, eat food out of a can, pee in the bushes, poop in a can and never actually speak for days and that would be perfectly acceptable behavior. So why should we expect them to know the right thing to say to us if we cry? Of course, he’ll hand you duct tape and other fix-it tools when you do, but that usually isn’t what women want.

Even the mountain man can’t do everything. That’s why there are two sexes. We’re kind of designed to compliment one another.

Mountain men need a hamster wheel. It’s like having a really active puppy. One hike is good for the morning, but the day? No. You’re going to have to do better than that.

The key to successfully dating a mountain man is that the woman must be actively inclined, or at least game to try. If it’s not your thing, that’s okay too, but men often bond by doing, so if you at least play fetch for an hour it will likely score you points in the future. Designate some family fun time and involve another couple too. Nothing will take the edge off a mountain man like having two or more women present.

I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want you to be his everything. If you’re bagging 14ers with him, you’re close, but he still wants time with his boys.

My fiancé is great, but I have learned through my own unmet expectations to prepare for a “Teeennnn HUT!” upon waking on a powder day, a sunny day, or his day off. At this point in our relationship I just ask for the expected departure time and then do what’s necessary to make it happen if I’m joining in the activity.

Expectation management plays a big part in pairing the sexes. It might be more realistic to think that your guy will be supportive and hug you when you cry. However, if you’re expecting him to have a lengthy heart to heart that gets rehashed from several different perspectives, blow your nose for you and then make you soup, then you might want to call your mom or your best girlfriend, because most men, including the men of the mountain, are not hard wired for that.

The mountain man is a quite doable, so long as you both keep your expectations in check. I can hang with mine to a point, but I always let him know that one bowl lap makes me just as happy as his four. At times, its exhausting, but its cheaper than a gym membership, it bonds the two of you together and is way more fun, except for the times that you bicker like the Costanzas. I guess you need to be a little bit of a mountain woman to hang with a mountain man.

Beth is looking forward to a lifetime of outdoor activity with her burly mountain dude. She can be reached at bethabrandon@hotmail.com

There's nothing like loving a Mountain Man. Actually, there's nothing quite like being loved by a Mountain Man! In this valley where love and adventure mixed together become the catalyst for an extraordinary life, I hang my proverbial hat (or, more realistically, snowshoes, backpack, and bike). What's not to love about this kind of daily life challenge? So, salute to the Mountain Men! You are definitely a magnificent breed. And I tip my wine glass to the ladies who love them... and pour myself another.

Wink,
-Cheryl