Don’t Ride the Brakes

One of the first things I was told about driving in the mountains...don't ride the brakes! If you do, you could burn them up...and then you've got problems.

The first time you have to navigate a mountain pass, it can be intimidating and a bit frightening. You may feel physical reactions--sweating, heart beating faster, muscles tensing, holding your breath. You may also have mental and emotional reactions--thinking about various "what if" scenarios, afraid to look at the scenery around you because you are so focused on moving forward and avoiding the drop-off beside you.

You also know that once you start going up, there's no turning back...you have to keep moving...even though you know that once you reach the top, you will then have to go down. You can feel a bit out of control as your vehicle speeds up with the downward momentum. This is where you have to be careful not to panic...all you need to do is brake calmly once in a while to set a comfortable speed, and allow the curves to move you on your way to the next part of your journey.

Moral of the story: Never give up, keep moving. The more times you navigate a mountain, the more confident you get...and the easier it gets.