in leaps and bounds
In leaps and bounds sounds so “easy”: quick progress, change at its finest.
The thing is - sometimes the leaps and bounds are literal, and the terrain not quite as easy as it would seem.
This moment was one of those times: the paths in these mountains were made by the mules and their drivers and taken on the regular. They made it look so fast, easy, and elegant.
We, there for the first time and carrying our backpacks, looked more like lumbering elephants with all the grace of hippos. Did we make it? Well, yes! Did we take slightly more precautions than the natives? Also yes. I’m here to tell the tale.
When changing track - even when it looks easy - do it at your own pace and with the steps you need to make your own journey safe(ly). And there’s no shame in taking extra precautions. Once you navigate the new paths more often, both muscle memory and brain automatisms will kick in!