Gloria

http://youtu.be/A5vOSUnlr0I

I’ve been so into hiking lately that I was ready to take it to the next level. I decided to sign up with American Alpine Institute for a skills and summit course at Mt. Baker. I trained 5 to 6 days a week for four months solid; strength training, intervals, core exercises, running and hiking at least three times a week. A couple of smaller hikes after running the dogs in the Snoqualmie region and then I would make sure to do a 7 to 9 mile steeper hike on the weekends. When it was time to go last weekend I felt as ready as I could be physically. I knew it would also be a challenge for me mentally but I didn’t expect it to be as hard as it really was. This trip pulled out deep fears that were hidden way down inside. It challenged my confidence and if I really was willing to take that next step forward. After our first 1,000 ft. practice climb the day before we were suppose to summit, I psyched myself out so much in my head that I was considering not going. At those crucial moments, (you know, the make or break moments) Chad Cochran, our guide had this keen sense of knowing when I needed the encouragement and to rattle me out of my doubt. I’m not big on believing in the devil as an entity with horns, dressed in red and standing in fire but I do think if anything can be called the devil it’s fear and doubt. It will stop you in your tracks of what you really want in life. If that’s not “the devil” than I don’t know what is.

We set out to start our climb at 2:00 a.m. in the morning with your head lamps on. We had a meteor shower showing off above us as I looked down at my headlamp highlighting each step I took in the snow. All I heard was crunch, crunch, axe, crunch crunch axe, repeat. After three hours of that, the sun decided to join us as it raised it’s head over Mt. Baker dressed in orange and pink.

About that time we were facing the Roman Wall which is much steeper once you actually get on it. I think I had to grunt to complete each steep and Chad kindly and quitely allowed me to hold on to the end of his rope since he knew I needed the security.

I almost couldn’t believe it when we summited. I was so exhausted that I think my eyes were half way open behind my sunglasses. I expect to be jumping around with excitement and taking all kinds of crazy photos but I could only muster up enough energy to do a half smile and lift my axe up slightly past my shoulder. Once returning back to Hogsback base camp I then finally felt my complete self again. The weight and the stress of getting up there was behind me and I only felt the accomplishment of succeeding at what I set out to do. I never felt better.

After summiting a mountain that is just shy of 11,000 feet, I have all the admiration and respect for the true alpinist out there. They are truly fearless.