The Power of The Climb

A few days ago I received an envelope of letters from a group of young people in recovery I’d taken out and introduced to the sport that literally saved my life.

It’s always been my intention to share my love of ice so that it may help others.

I think I might be on track…

Amazing, incredible, unbelievable. No word powerful enough to explain the experience. I will never forget the wonderful opportunity I had on my first day climbing.
At first I was hesitant, I didn’t know you could climb frozen waterfalls and what not, honestly I thought that it was a ridiculous and a completely crazy idea. I am extremely afraid of heights so I didn’t have much going for me at the beginning of the morning before we arrived at the site. I was nervous, slightly miserable and the least bit hopeful.

The only thing I was really looking forward to was hearing the guest speakers story. Her struggle with addiction and depression. Something I could truly connect with and understand.
Before our climb we lined up at the bottom of the “Junkyards” and put on our cramptons and gear. I was tired, scared and helpless… I thought of myself as the “little guy” that morning. A few people decided to volunteer to climb first before I gave in internally and challenged myself to try it out. I remember them climbing and I was mesmerized, I thought it was such a weird and different sport.

When it was my turn to begin to climb I started out slow, turning back to seek the encouragement and support of my belayer. I was still unsure. And then that was it, when I was a quarter of the way up this incredible energy ran through me. I felt the adrenaline kick in and pump throughout my body. I threw my hand above and set my ice axe and then I was gone. Before I knew it I had reached the top. I felt like I was beaming, I hadn’t smiled that big in such a long time.

I felt the warmth of that natural high cradling me as I sat back and gazed out at the amazing mountain scenery. At that moment I felt like all the loose ties in my past had began to repair themselves. I felt so many emotions at once. I felt my grandfather’s presence, my mom’s unconditional love, the guidance of my stepdad, everything, you could ever imagine. For me the climb wasn’t just some crazy natural high experience, it was an unbelievable spiritual awakening. I felt peace, love, belonging and hope. Everything I had ever dreamed and wished for in life came to me in that exact moment. I wanted to stay there forever.

Climbing will ever remain a big part of my life! As it was a true blessing in disguise.