Life offers a multitude of goals; until recently, I kept mine penned in cramped handwriting. A friend inspired me with their “40 before 40” list, prompting me to reflect on my own aspirations as I approach 50.
To maintain accountability, I have chosen to share my list of 50 bucket list items here. I recognize the ambition of some goals may seem unrealistic to others; however, this journey is for my personal fulfillment.
Each year, I will update this list, marking off my completed items, allowing both you and me to track my progress.
So, let’s embark on this journey together. Here is my comprehensive list of 50 bucket list items to accomplish before I turn 50.
- O trail in Patagonia
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
-
Conquer the 7 summits (0/7-8)
- Kilimanjaro
- Mount Elbrus
- Aconcagua
- Denali
- Everest
- Vinson
- Kosciuszko
- Puncak Jaya (extra for good measure)
- Hike the Kumano Kodo
- Witness the monarchs in Mexico
- Bike around Ireland
- Hike Hadrian’s Wall
- Visit all US National Parks (17/63)
- Visit all Canadian National Parks (5/38 left)
- Island hop in Thailand
- See orangutans and other wildlife in Borneo
- Visit Komodo Island
- Experience the great wildlife migration in Kenya/Tanzania
- Complete the trail run in Switzerland
- Explore Slovenia’s green route
- Hike to Machu Picchu
- Walk the Camino
- Hike and dive in the Galapagos
- Trek in the Isle of Skye
- Participate in the Rickshaw Run in Sri Lanka
- Hike the John Muir Trail and summit Mount Whitney
- Hike Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
- Hike in Norway
- Visit Iceland (adventure race or Laugavegar trail)
- Dine at the French Laundry
- Dive with sharks
- Go trekking in New Zealand
- Visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia
- See the northern lights
- Explore the Amazon Rainforest
- Run 50 half marathons/marathons/ultras (9/50)
- Try sandboarding
- Visit Bulgaria for its salt flats, flamingos, and starlit nights
- Climb Chimborazo Mountain
- Experience ziplining (overcoming my fear of heights)
- Walk on the Great Wall of China
- Hike the Annapurna Trail
- Become fluent in French
-
See the 7 Natural Wonders of the World (2/7)
- Aurora Borealis
- Harbor of Rio de Janeiro
- Grand Canyon
- Great Barrier Reef
- Mount Everest
- Victoria Falls
- Paricutín, Mexico
- Become a board-certified wildlife vet through the ACZM
- Take the glass-roofed train through the Canadian Rockies
- Complete the explorer’s grand slam
- Achieve placement on the NY Times best seller’s list
- Read the entire works of William Shakespeare
- Learn to sail
- Try ice climbing
- Participate in an adventure race
- Obtain my Wilderness Medicine certification
- Live off the grid for a week, utilizing primitive survival skills
- Learn soap-making.
Summary of 2023
This year, I began marking off accomplishments shortly before my 40th birthday. I am enthusiastic about the progress made thus far and eagerly anticipate what lies ahead in 2024.
In the past year, I visited Great Smoky Mountain National Park, completed one ultra, two full marathons, and two half marathons. Additionally, I learned to sail, made soap, and earned my Wilderness First Responder certification.
My preparation for the ACZM board exam continues, which I plan to take in 2025. I am diligently writing my first fiction novel and mapping out next year’s races and climbing courses, as prior experience is needed before enrolling in the ice climbing class.
Some may perceive my accomplishments as modest; however, I also relocated across the country, purchased a home, and married while maintaining a full-time clinical position. I enjoyed several hiking trips, explored our new city, and spent a week in the eastern Sierras hiking and snowboarding. Based on my full and fulfilling year, I genuinely believe I can achieve everything on this list and will continue to check items off one-by-one. All it takes is that first step towards your goals.
Summary of 2024
In 2024, I embarked on a transformative journey. Stepping beyond my comfort zone, I realized my ambition of creating a life defined by my values and passions. Despite a significant reduction in earnings compared to my previous full-time role, I’ve witnessed positive developments, and I am excited about what 2025 might hold.
At the beginning of 2024, I completed the Complete Works of William Shakespeare. My endeavors included attempts at sandboarding, which took place at Great Sand Dunes National Park amidst challenging weather conditions. I am eager for a future opportunity to enjoy this experience under more favorable circumstances.
This past year, I visited four national parks: Olympic National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Grand Canyon, bringing my total to 17 of the 63 parks. Furthermore, I witnessed two of the seven natural wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest. During my trip to Nepal, I performed a non-invasive health assessment of snow leopards.
Additionally, I completed two half marathons and one full marathon, which raises my total to nine completed events out of 50.
Overall, this year has been a significant step towards my life goals—beyond just the ones listed here. I take pride in my accomplishments and eagerly look forward to the challenges and achievements on the horizon.
