Longevity: Resilience, Adaptivity & Learning from Altitude

Mountain Path

Wednesday, 1 January 2025

As a 5th generation New Zealander, my roots are deeply grounded. between the mountains and the sea- Our geography in NZ, is a special one, sitting as we do, between Antarctica and the Pacific Islands. Small but mighty its a geography that encompasses everything from 'Jurassic Park' like tropical microclimates to fast-moving alpine glaciers. its no surprise that my sense of belonging, is uniquely tied to both these kinds of environments.

But it was not until 2005 when I began my alpine climbing journey that has taken me from the 4000+ meter peaks of Switzerland, France & Italy….….to places like Nepal, Bhutan, Bolivia, Ecuador, Afghanistan and North America, that I began to understand profoundly the positive physical, psychological and experiential impact that spending time at altitude could bring.

It would take me another 15 years to realise that my professional leadership style, my decision making processes, my ability to steward risk - had all been forged through the many interactions I have had while spending countless time the mountains; with the communities who live there, with the elements, with my own body? and with the many different types of “guides” who have shared their wisdom & knowledge, so generously with me. Our Moto at Mountain Path Switzerland is learning to “Lead like a Guide”.

Which essentially is a life philosophy about sharing power and allowing others to find their own strength. A deep sense of service to bring forth every talent on a team or in a group towards successfully reaching your shared objectives.

Through my professional work over the last 2 decades within the Global South or what many of you know as the developing world- In some of the most fragile environmental ecosystems, often post extraction of conflict and what are described by most people, as the poorest places on the planet- nothing has been a deeper learning than the power of human beings to adapt to unimaginable and continual change and adversity…… physically, mentally and socially.

The closer people are to nature, I have observed, the better they are at being resilient at adapting to the unexpected. The better they are at leading themselves and others - the more they understand the connectedness of all living things. The more humility they embody.

Its no surprise therefor that I have come to appreciate the relationship between our long term wellness, nature, mountains environments in particular, and our ability to lead and adapt to environments that embody volatility, uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity.

This presents a fascinating intersection of human biology, environmental factors, and evolutionary processes. Three pillars that many would like to continue to think of as uncorrelated.

Jeremy Rifkin in his book,The Age of Resilience talks about the transformation that must now take place….. from an age where we heroised “efficiency”, where we stripped all the perceived "unnecessary" layers and in which we have taken a highly extractive approach to our planetary, economic, social and information systems -? to the age of “adaptivity” - which he? writes “is the entry card that takes our species from separation and exploitation of the natural world to repatriation with the multitude of environmental forces that animate earth - a repositioning of human agency on an increasingly unpredictable planet”.

The link between nature and human longevity has been well-documented across various cultures and scientific studies. Blue Zones - For instance, the mountainous regions of Sardinia, Italy, and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, demonstrate profoundly how living in harmony with nature can correlate with increased & healthier lifespan.

This is not simply an idea or the fact that you live in a certain geography- it is much more deep than that. It is a physicality and a proximity to quality of water, soil, biodiversity, food, herbs, plants, smells, temperature…..

Mountains, in particular, play a unique role in human longevity through multiple mechanisms. High-altitude environments impose specific physiological challenges that trigger adaptive responses in the human body.

When people live at high altitudes, their bodies undergo remarkable changes to cope with lower oxygen levels, a process known as high-altitude adaptation. This includes increased red blood cell production, enhanced oxygen utilization, and improved cardiovascular function.

The story of mountain-dwelling populations provides compelling evidence of these adaptations. The Sherpa people of the Himalayan regions have evolved genetic adaptations over thousands of years that allow them to thrive in high-altitude environments.These adaptations include more efficient oxygen use and better blood flow regulation, which not only help them survive in challenging conditions but may also contribute to their overall health and longevity.

Physical activity in mountainous terrain offers unique benefits that may enhance longevity. The varied topography requires regular movement, promoting cardiovascular health and maintaining muscle strength well into advanced age.

Mountain dwellers often maintain active lifestyles well into their later years, engaging in activities like hiking, farming on terraced fields, or tending to livestock on steep slopes. These natural forms of exercise combine aerobic activity with resistance training, which research shows is optimal for healthy aging.

I have watched 80+ year old Bhutanese women squatting in the field while farming, for hours-imagine the hip flexibility and joint health this maintains? I have also watched a 92 year old sherpa woman carrying 4 cases of beer bottles on her back at 3800M above sea level, walking for 4 hours uphill - stopping only intermittently.

But it is not just the obvious physical benefits of mountain environments, that positively contribute to longevity.

Mountain landscapes often promote mindfulness and reduce stress while also providing a sense of perspective. They remind us that nature is not in our control, we must learn to adapt to an environment that requires us to be a constant students, constantly learning, aware, reactive and alert. These are qualities specifically linked to professional & personal success today but also a kind of brain gymnastic that maintains cognitive alertness.

Regular exposure to natural environments has been shown to lower cortisol levels, reduce inflammation and improve mental health - all factors that contribute to increased lifespan and better cognitive functions as we age.

Mountain communities have developed specific dietary patterns adapted to their environment. For example, many highland populations consume diets rich in protective antioxidants from local plants, that help combat the oxidative stress associated with high-altitude living. These dietary adaptations, developed over generations, are important indicators which we can learn from.

Adaptation, both physiological and cultural, serves as the underlying mechanism linking these elements to longevity.

Cultural adaptations in mountain communities often emphasize strong social bonds and community support networks. The challenging environment necessitates cooperation and mutual aid, fostering social connections that provide emotional support and practical assistance throughout life. These social structures help maintain physical and mental well-being, particularly in older age.

Regular contact with diverse natural environments exposes us to beneficial microorganisms that help strengthen the immune system. The "hygiene hypothesis" suggests that such exposure is crucial for developing robust immune function.

We are only beginning to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these nature-longevity connections. Exposure to natural environments has been shown to affect gene expression patterns, particularly those involved in stress response and inflammation. These epigenetic changes may help explain how environmental interactions influence aging processes at the cellular level.

The relationship between longevity and natural environments, particularly mountains, demonstrates the remarkable capacity for human adaptation and the importance of maintaining connections with nature, for the promise of a Longevity focused lifestyle to be fully realised.

From my point of view, the conversation about Longevity and our absolute imperative to safeguard our ability to maintain a healthy, active and alert quality of life as we move through all the stages of our lives - is a conversation about personal leadership and agency in a healthcare system that is in large ways failing to optimise our health and cognitive functionality in proactive ways.?

So it is upon each of us to courageously take back our power to adapt and strengthen ourselves. To place ourselves in the very environments that can foster our wellbeing and optimise our human potential, most profoundly.

The world we are facing today is not the world of even 5 years ago. The kind of leadership that we will each be called upon to deliver- for ourselves, for our organisations, family, companies etc is a new kind of leadership. It's time to challenge ourselves to #learn #unlearn #relearn.

If you are interested to learn about how Mountain Path Switzerland can help you elevate your leadership, please get in touch! www.mountain-path-switzerland.com

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