I had been drawn to the alpine mecca of Alaska ever since the day I first stepped onto the Kahiltna Glacier two years prior. I spiraled into an obsession with the sport of alpinism, dedicating a large portion of my life to it. What I didn’t realize was that I was simultaneously nurturing a deeper affection for the landscape.
Read HereIn that moment I remember thinking to myself, “We choose where we are.” It was then that things seemed to come full circle.
Early in my career I let passion fuel my efforts in the mountains. But as my aspirations have grown I’ve come to understand the importance of the need for specific training over simply ‘working out’.
In February 2022 I suffered a substantial frostbite injury that kept me out of the mountains for nearly two months. Instead of wasting away I built a plan that would keep me physically and mentally well. I trained what I could and tackled new projects, keeping my head down and focusing on what was directly in front of me.
We moved higher, making our way towards the top of the ridgeline. The sun began to set at a voracious pace. Ben, in a disheveled state, took the rack and brought us to the top of our route.
