HELLO ALL….It took two days…it was the most frightfully exhilarating, painfully rewarding experience…but somehow by sheer will power and determination and the grace of the heavens I SUMMITTED MT WHITNEY!!!! And Ricky spent his birthday flying free forever from the top of the United States!! I signed the summit book in Ricks honor, wishing him a very happy birthday, and laughed and smiled and cried and then tried to breathe! The journey was amazing in so many ways on so many levels. The hike /climb took every ounce of strength and focus, as well as overcoming the fears of 2ft wide ledges with sheer drops on either side, logs over rivers, rocks over streams, boulder climbing and at one point a series of 99 traverses…and after hours and miles of straight up vertical, and at 14,000 ft with the air so thin you just gasp to get in deep in your lungs so you hope it reaches down to your legs…you look up…and there is the final ascent. 500 feet straight up…and you begin the final push. There are only 200 permits a day, approx 1/3 summit, so you see the same people stopping to rest and encourage each other to never give up…you can do it. But inside you are thinking…this is insane. Each step takes forever, so it seems…and then, its true, you have made it to the summit of the highest mountain in the contiguous states. Now I know the meaning of breathtaking, because it took mine away. I imagine people climb the summit for many reasons. I hiked to restore a sense of peace and finish a dream I had with my special friend who I miss so much it hurts, much more deeply than Mt Whitney can ever make me feel. But it helped me find a peace and tranquility that my soul required and my heart desired. So Hike. Take the time to contemplate what makes you happy and what would make you happier still. Hike. Enjoy the company of friends or the pleasure of your own company. Hike if only to delight in the beauty God has created for us in this world. Hike to get fit…lift your spirits. Live a lifetime on a hike... Think about what you can do to expand your life and what you can do to simplify it. Take advantage of our countries greatest gift to us, our National and State Park system. And see you on the trail…the air is fresh and the smiles are genuine. I had no idea when I began this journey I would feel so much love and support and friendship and caring from all your face books posts. YOU have made this a journey of a lifetime..and I Thank You All. I had my very special once in a lifetime friend, and I will never let the world forget Rick Snyder, who inspires me to this day!! Blessings and One Love Forever. cs
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 01:39:04 +0000
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