Stuck on Top of a Mountain: The 10,000-Foot Lesson That Applies to Life and Online Business

My wife and I recently took a family trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone area. One of the highlights of our trip was taking a ride on a tram from Teton Village outside of Jackson, Wyoming to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. The Jackson Mountain Resort website promised a great adventure.

“In just 12 minutes, the Aerial Tram glides skyward 4,139 vertical feet. The summit offers staggering 360-degree views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole Valley, and surrounding mountain ranges. The “Top of the World” provides amazing access to a plethora of great hiking and running trails, climbing and the occasional snowball fight. Oh, and don’t forget the world-famous gourmet waffles in Corbet’s Cabin.” It looked like it was going to be a lot of fun!

When we arrived at Teton Village, the weather was warm and the skies were clear. We were looking forward to trying out those world-famous waffles at Corbet’s Cabin. We had no idea of the adventure we were about to have on top of Rendezvous Mountain at over 10,000 feet.

The Ride Up

The ascent on the tram started off well enough. The views of the mountains and the valley below were stunning as we climbed higher and higher. The further we went, the smaller everything looked—the roads, the buildings, even the Snake River winding through the valley. It felt like we were leaving behind the world below.

Inside the gondola, there was a steady buzz of conversation. People were pointing out landmarks, sharing where they were visiting from, and joking about the waffles waiting at the top. Cameras and phones were out everywhere, and every few seconds someone would call out, “Look at that!” as another peak or ridge came into view.

It was exactly what you’d expect—a group of people enjoying the ride and the scenery on what seemed like a perfect day. We figured it would be a quick trip up, we’d take a few photos, we’d grab a plate of waffles, and then we’d ride back down. But the mountain had other plans. We just didn’t know it yet.

The Peak Experience

After the quick ride up on the tram, we stepped out at the top of Rendezvous Mountain. The view hit us right away—miles of rugged peaks in every direction, with the valley spread out far below. It really did feel like we were standing on the “top of the world.”

I walked out onto the Grand Teton Skywalk with my son Christopher and his family. The platform jutted out just enough to make us feel like we were floating over the edge of the mountain. From up there, we could see for what felt like forever. I got some great pictures of Christopher and his family on the skywalk with that incredible backdrop behind them.

Once we were done on the skywalk, we all made our way to Corbet’s Cabin for those world-famous waffles we’d heard so much about. It was cozy, warm, and smelled exactly like you’d hope a waffle place would smell after riding a tram up a mountain. We ordered, grabbed a table, and dug in—sitting there with a plate of waffles at 10,000 feet was about as good as it gets. At that point, everything was perfect. Or so we thought! We were having a great time! Little did we know how fast things were about to change.

The Storm Begins to Brew

We grabbed our waffles and decided to eat at the picnic tables outside Corbet’s Cabin. It was the perfect spot—fresh air, incredible views, and those waffles we’d been waiting for. About halfway through eating, we noticed dark clouds starting to build. At first, it didn’t seem like much. Then we felt a few drops—just a light drizzle at first. Nobody rushed to leave. We pulled up our hoods and kept eating, figuring it would pass.

But it didn’t. The drizzle turned steady, and the wind picked up, cutting through the warmth we’d had earlier. Within minutes, the steady rain turned to freezing rain, stinging against our faces. We were glad we’d brought hoodies and sweatshirts with us—it made all the difference in staying even somewhat comfortable.

Then came the announcement: the tram was shutting down due to lightning in the area. Nobody was going anywhere until the storm cleared. In fact, the only way back down the mountain (other than the tram) was a very steep seven mile hike. That wasn’t an option for us since we had twin grandkids in a stroller.

We stayed outside for about 20 minutes, huddled over our plates as the freezing rain came down, before finally deciding we’d had enough. Along with a crowd of others, we headed back into Corbet’s Cabin to ride out the storm in the only warm, dry place available.

The Wait Begins

Inside Corbet’s Cabin, it was packed. Every table was full, and people were standing shoulder to shoulder along the walls, shaking off rain and trying to warm up. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but at least it was dry. After a while, some of us stepped back outside between bursts of rain just to stretch our legs and breathe. The freezing rain had slowed to a drizzle, but the air was still sharp and cold. Groups gathered near the cabin, huddled in their hoodies and sweatshirts, looking out at what was now a misty, fogged-in view where we’d had clear skies just an hour earlier.

Some of us bounced between inside and outside like that for a while—warming up in the cabin, then stepping out to see if the storm was breaking. It was clear we weren’t going anywhere soon. Eventually, though, the mood lightened. People inside the cabin started chatting, swapping travel stories, and talking about how we’d all gotten caught in this together. It wasn’t what we’d planned, but there was something about being stuck up there with a group of strangers that made it feel like its own little adventure.

Creating Connections in Corbet’s Cabin

As the wait dragged on, the cabin felt less like a crowded shelter and more like a shared experience. People settled in at tables or found spots along the walls, talking quietly or simply sitting and waiting. Many folks compared travel plans, swapped stories about what had brought them to Wyoming, and talked about how fast the “perfect mountain day” had turned into a thunderstorm at 10,000 feet. You could hear the storm outside—the wind rattling the cabin and the occasional rumble of thunder echoing through the mountains.

The windows fogged up from all the body heat inside and the cold outside, and every now and then, someone would step out to see if the weather was improving, only to come back in and shake their head. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it was dry, and everyone seemed to accept the fact that all we could do was wait.

We ended up being stuck up there for about an hour and a half before the tram operator finally announced they could start running the tram again. As soon as he said it, about 150 people made a mad dash for the tram. Rather than attempting to push and shove our way onto the tram like many others were doing, we waited a bit for the first wave of the crowd to clear before heading down ourselves. Thankfully, our ride back down the mountain was as uneventful as was the ride up.

It wasn’t how we’d planned to spend the afternoon, but there was something about being stuck up there with a group of strangers that made it feel like its own unique experience. By the time the storm passed and the tram reopened, what could have been just an inconvenience had turned into a memorable experience.

How You Can Apply My Experience on Rendezvous Mountain to Your Online Business

Our adventure on top of Rendezvous Mountain stuck with me; not just because of the view or the storm, but because of what it reminded me about life and business. You can plan a trip down to the last detail, pick the perfect day for a tram ride, and still end up stuck in a thunderstorm at 10,000 feet. Online business is no different. You can map out your week, schedule content, and feel like everything’s running smoothly. Then something breaks, a platform changes, or life simply gets in the way.

In those moments, you’ve got two choices; get frustrated or adapt. My mentor, Connie Ragen Green likes to say, “Reframe or suffer!” That day on the mountain, we didn’t have a choice about the storm or the tram. What we did have a choice about was how we responded. So we waited it out, made the best of it, and walked away with a story that turned into an unforgettable memory.

Running an online business works the same way. Things won’t always go the way you expect, but if you stay flexible and keep moving forward, you’ll come out the other side with progress, lessons learned, and sometimes even better outcomes than what you planned. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is ride out the storm, stay ready, and enjoy the waffles while you wait.

When we got stuck at 10,000 feet, there wasn’t much we could do but stay flexible, wait out the storm, and make the best of it. Your online business will have those same “stormy” moments. That’s why I built the Rock Solid Fire Your Boss Bundle; to help you stay focused, adapt to challenges, and keep moving forward until the skies clear. Start here: rickloves.me/RSFB. Ride out the storms. Keep climbing. Build something rock solid.

I’m online entrepreneur Richard Rawlings (Rick) Smith. Who else wants to join me in creating an online business that allows them to enjoy the lifestyle they want and deserve?