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TwitterSome Call It Courage…Other’s Call It Stupidity
11 May 2010 9 Comments
Last Summer, under the guise of challenging myself, I climbed Long’s Peak with my boyfriend and his friend. It was awesome, amazing and scary as HELL. The first day we went to go test our altitude tolerance and put in a good hike. We did an 8 hour hike, to the most amazing place on earth.
I would do this hike any hour of any day…it was perfect.
The next two days, we spent venturing leisurely around Estes Park.
And then came D day. Not only were we going to climb a 14,ooo ft mountain, but also my period started. God help the men that were going to force accompany me on this journey. We woke up at 1:30 in the morning to get started early. It’s important, after all, to up and back below tree line before the afternoon thunderstorms roll through. As we were pulling up to the trailhead, in the road were three huge elk. It was a beautiful start. The early part of the hike was gorgeous. The temperature was cool, the moon was full, and the view was amazing. When we turned to wrap around the back of the mountain, we were above the clouds as the sun was rising. It was a completely surreal moment.
After this, the positive surreal moments are few and far between. I should have mentioned that I have a rather severe fear of heights…the moment that we crossed over the boulder field and through the keyhole, my fun ended. We went across the ledges, through the narrows and made it to the home stretch. I cried frequently, real tears. My uterus, in it’s angry state reminded me repeatedly that I had babies at home that did not want to grow up without a mother. It was HARD. It was painful. I wanted to quit no fewer than 10 times.
I lived through this…
And this…
And this…
I don’t think I’d ever do it again…because I was truly afraid. Significantly afraid. But, my boyfriend has told me time and time again, how proud he was of my courage and my determination to follow through a 13 hour hike, better than half of which was WAY outside my comfort zone, because I wanted to push myself. Every inch of us hurt by the time we got back down that mountain, we were exhausted, and we were STARVING. It was a trek, a trial and a complete triumph. Stupidity or courage, either way, I’ll never forget.
9 Comments (+add yours?)
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May 11, 2010 @ 11:21:25
Wow! Just wow
looks like it was breathtaking, but can totally understand not making that trek again…
May 11, 2010 @ 11:57:18
Amazing photos. How truly beautiful. and to be there with someone so special to you. Of course I would be scared shitless (cause Im afraid of tall things) but the view sure would of been worth it.
Great Post!
May 11, 2010 @ 12:22:20
Oh my God, you climbed The Peak? Holy cow! That is a huge accomplishment (and one I will never, ever achieve).
You are right though–one person’s stupidity is another one’s courage! Good for you!
TheKitchenWitch´s last blog ..Veg-Head Monday: Zucchini Stuffed Tomatoes
May 11, 2010 @ 13:02:21
Sometimes doing something stupid requires the most courage! Not many people can say they’ve accomplished the same thing.
May 11, 2010 @ 14:49:32
I guess I’m stupid too because I’ve always wanted to conquer a big peak….and am super afraid of heights. Those pictures were amazing.
May 11, 2010 @ 18:34:55
I guess the thing I want to know the most is…even if you wouldn’t do it again and it was really hard…do you regret it? Or do you look back and feel good about the courage you showed? The heights you’ve faced?
Because that’s the thing, isn’t it? Sometimes we do things that took so much courage, that show us how brave we can be, but it doesn’t mean we’d do them again. Or that we had to enjoy them.
The pictures were breathless, I can only imagine it in person.
Sarah´s last blog ..Courage is
May 12, 2010 @ 03:06:39
WOW! and WOW! again. It may have been worth it just for those gorgeous pictures. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone? WOW! Courage at it’s peak!
Shawna´s last blog ..Without Borders
May 12, 2010 @ 10:23:09
you are a BAD ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
hot damn woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 19, 2010 @ 11:47:33
Amazing pictures!! I would love to do a hike like that – but I need to get in a BIT better shape than I am now to attempt ALL that.
And hey….should that really say BOYFRIEND???
Charisse´s last blog ..Lorelli’s new room