| Studies of wellbeing and nature are of increasing importance in psychology, recreation, education, and land use planning. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore how engaging in the specific goal and activities of the nature sport of peak climbing all of the Colorado 14,000-ft summits satisfies psychological needs, illustrates intrinsic motivation, and contributes to personal meanings associated with wellbeing. This included studying the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as applied to climbing experiences, and the meanings climbers attributed to the experience. Two subtheories of self-determination theory were used to determine the wellbeing potential of this climbing goal. Data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with climbers who had completed all Colorado 14,000-ft (Fourteener) climbs, artifacts provided by the climbers, and archival data from 10 years of published letters submitted by completers. Themes of climbing Fourteeners were completion of an authentic goal, focus on mastering challenges, perceptions of relatedness, and persistence of positive affective states. Goal completion illustrated autonomy and intrinsic motivation, requiring competent performance. Relatedness aligned with interpersonal relationship, nature connection, and place attachment; indicating relatedness needs may also be met through nonhuman connections. Future research may entail studying the wellbeing potential of nature-oriented hobbies and sports, sensory or attentional focus of time in nature, and psychophysical responses associated with timberline. |
