Attempt #1 of Cotopaxi started out well. I felt strong, and Mel and Nat are awesome.
We started roping up, and I started throwing up, something that I´ve
never done before on a mountain, but there´s a first time for
everything...I wasn´t even pushing myself that hard, so I was pretty
concerned. After that, I moved a lot slower than the group, and the
unexpected intensity of the crevasse travel also slowed us down. We made a group decision to turn
around below the head wall on Cotopaxi, but, as you can imagine, I also
felt responsible for the group not summiting.
When we got back to Quito, I offered to let the girls climb without me, so they have a better chance for success. They will be able to climb faster this time around on Cotopaxi, which is safer for all of us. Mountaineering is about challenging yourself, taking risks and having fun. For me to be slower than the group and not climb efficiently is not an acceptable risk for the group, and feeling like you´re holding the group back and being pulled up a mountain isn´t fun.
It isn´t easy telling you all this. Sometimes failing and realizing that something isn´t right for you is just as difficult as climbing an 19,000 ft. mountain. However, knowing that I´ve tested my limits, and knowing and accepting that turning back doesn´t make me any less tough and strong is a such a gift.
Beginning to learn this lesson is opening doors for me to climb elsewhere (you can still climb below 16,000 ft., right?) I feel like this experience has freed me to explore the multitude of other opportunities in the outdoor world. The past 6 years in pursuit of high altitudes has left me with a bit of tunnel vision. Life if about being happy, and pursuing passions that you can feel good about.
I´m ready to take my energy and my passion and put it towards climbing in Colorado and at lower elevations. This is not the end; I´m just taking this in a different direction, which is pretty darn freeing.
As the Rolling Stones put it: "You can´t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."
Thank you to everyone in my life who has been so incredibley loving and supportive of my pursuits, especially my sister Escalitas, Melissa and Natalie; my mom, Suzanne; my husband, Nick; and my mentor, Rodney. I couldn´t have gotten this far without you! What an incredible journey.
Have no fear! Las Escalitas still have a lot of climbing ahead of us! We´re headed to the Illinizas on Saturday, and did we mention that Colorado has, literally, hundreds of mountains?
I am anxiously awaiting the return of my fellow Escalitas, and am so happy that they have another chance at success. We will update you all when they return!
When we got back to Quito, I offered to let the girls climb without me, so they have a better chance for success. They will be able to climb faster this time around on Cotopaxi, which is safer for all of us. Mountaineering is about challenging yourself, taking risks and having fun. For me to be slower than the group and not climb efficiently is not an acceptable risk for the group, and feeling like you´re holding the group back and being pulled up a mountain isn´t fun.
It isn´t easy telling you all this. Sometimes failing and realizing that something isn´t right for you is just as difficult as climbing an 19,000 ft. mountain. However, knowing that I´ve tested my limits, and knowing and accepting that turning back doesn´t make me any less tough and strong is a such a gift.
Beginning to learn this lesson is opening doors for me to climb elsewhere (you can still climb below 16,000 ft., right?) I feel like this experience has freed me to explore the multitude of other opportunities in the outdoor world. The past 6 years in pursuit of high altitudes has left me with a bit of tunnel vision. Life if about being happy, and pursuing passions that you can feel good about.
I´m ready to take my energy and my passion and put it towards climbing in Colorado and at lower elevations. This is not the end; I´m just taking this in a different direction, which is pretty darn freeing.
As the Rolling Stones put it: "You can´t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."
Thank you to everyone in my life who has been so incredibley loving and supportive of my pursuits, especially my sister Escalitas, Melissa and Natalie; my mom, Suzanne; my husband, Nick; and my mentor, Rodney. I couldn´t have gotten this far without you! What an incredible journey.
Have no fear! Las Escalitas still have a lot of climbing ahead of us! We´re headed to the Illinizas on Saturday, and did we mention that Colorado has, literally, hundreds of mountains?
I am anxiously awaiting the return of my fellow Escalitas, and am so happy that they have another chance at success. We will update you all when they return!
 | |
| Longs Peak/Keyboard of the Winds, Colorado |
Heather, wiser words have never been spoken. We are all fully behind your decision. Warmest regards, Rodney
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