FACING THE STORM... like a buffalo

A few weeks ago, on October 11, 2025, I went hiking up into the mountains in Big Cottonwood Canyon on a late Friday afternoon. The goal was to summit to see the sunset and then hike down the mountain before dark. We reached the top, which is well above 10,000 feet, and enjoyed the views but missed the sunset due to the clouds, though we could see the last bit of sunrays. Dark clouds began to quickly rush in toward us. The storm came barreling in so fast that we were enveloped in the clouds. It began to thunder and lightning. It started to rain, hail, and then a full blizzard. Complete whiteout.
We were dressed for the cold and had brought food and water. With a strong headlamp, we faced the storm and were able to make it back to the truck and arrive home safely.
On the same day, a young Utah father took his three young children—an 8-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son Ezra, and 2-year-old son—hiking up Big Cottonwood Canyon too. They also got caught in this sudden winter storm with torrential rain, snow, and freezing winds that stranded them overnight on the mountain. The father shielded his kids with his body through the sub-zero night, sacrificing his own warmth to keep them alive. Rescuers airlifted the family the next morning. They all were hospitalized for extreme hypothermia and frostbite, but survived.

Here are few photos I took from the hike.

The reason for this post: 

When a storm approaches, cows try to run away from it. I wonder if that is were the word coward come from. Since they’re slower than the wind-driven storm, they end up prolonging their exposure—running with the storm means they get wet, cold, and miserable for longer. 

Buffalo charge directly into the storm. They face the storm head-on. By facing it directly, they pass through the worst of it faster, minimizing the time spent in harsh conditions.

Buffalos don’t seek storms or create them—they just know how to weather them.

Head First into the Storm photo taken by Chris Irwin

Life is full of storms—unexpected challenges, overwhelming obstacles, and difficult periods that test our resolve. When it comes to handling life’s inevitable storms, our approach can make all the difference. How we handle these storms matter. I want to be more like a buffalo and less like a cow.