Big mountain climbing is something I have dreamed of since I was a little boy growing up in Colorado. But like all dreams, the weight of reality dragged me down. There was always schoolwork to be done or money to be earned to pay the bills. Where would I find the time and money to travel to remote corners of the world and climb? This is about seeing just how much an average guy can fit in on weekends without quitting his job.
The Birth of A Dream:
October 2nd, 2010. After sailing a friends boat on Puget Sound I realized I was living the life I had been dreaming of. The next step was big mountain climbing and the only thing holding me back was myself. In the style of Richard Branson, I concluded "Screw it, let's do it!" With a loose commitment from my good friend Luke, no permission from the local authorities and only the faintest idea of how I will make it work, I have committed myself to the Polish Glacier Direct route on Aconcagua, December 2010.
The Parameters:
Edward Abbey once wrote "All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare." To me, in the context of climbing, this means that the easier the route, the more common the experience and insight. The top is not just the measure of success but also a measure of character for each climber chooses their own path to it. For me, climbing is not just about pushing my physical limits but it is also a unique opportunity to peer through a window to my soul, and if I'm lucky, walk away with an insight on a larger meaning of Existence. That just doesn't happen with a walk in the park and it is what calls me to the mountains. To break out of routine and to reawaken my soul. Thus, it is with these guiding beliefs that I lay forth the following principles to which I pledge and which shall guide the style of the ascent:
- No Guides
- Non Standard Route
- Alpine style assault
- Maximum grins
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