1) don't do ice picks or ice axes and crevasse training
2) refuse to wear crampons and
3) will not climb anything that requires climbing ropes/gear/helmets
That would rule out the following states:
Alaska- Mt. McKinley
Idaho- Borah Peak
Montana- Granite Peak
Oregon- Mt. Hood
Washington- Mt. Ranier
Wyoming- Gannett Peak
Sooooo... of the 44 states that I'm willing to do, we've done 9. That only leaves 35 left. And we've already climbed 3 of the 10 most difficult in the country.
Enjoy some pics from our adventure.
Mountain goats on the way up
On the way up. Still smiling.
Hitting the first of many snow patches. There was one spot near the summit that was downright dangerous. I had a mild panic attack before continuing on.. It was scary.
We thought we were at the summit, but then we rounded a corner and saw the REAL summit far in the distance. That's kind of a ball-buster. Oh well- we continued to climb upward. 
We made it to the top in about 3.5 hours. We made it down in about 3 hours. The top was amazing!!! It was a great adventure!! I always love making it to the top, but I'm finding that the more of these I do, the more afraid of heights I'm getting. I've had mild panic attacks the last 2 times we've done this. I get some irrational fear of falling and I just can't go on. I don't know what it is, but it stops me in my tracks and I freeze with fear. Luckily my husband knows to talk me through it and I can continue (except for Arizona, in which I didn't continue on and had to wait below the summit for him to summit).
Getting old and fearful sucks!
7 comments:
What a wonderful adventure!! and great pics! If you hadn't told me that was Texas I'd have never guessed.. very very pretty... and that was a REAL mountain. Who knew?
As for the fear... I so hear you, I'm much older than you (48 in about 13 days).. and I too experience fears that are new - and growing - I have to specifically plan to do things that make me uncomfortable so that I won't get stalled.... and end up being scared to go out my front door when I'm 80!! LOL
Great blog!
Annie
The fear is crazy for me. I've always been adventurous, so it's very uncomfortable for me to fear adventure. I'm only in my late 30's- I shouldn't be so fraidy-cat at this age. :) When I'm OLD, that's another thing. I like that you said you have to specifically plan to do things that make you uncomfortable. It's easy to fall into a rut and become too afraid to do things. ;)
Thanks for the nice comment.
Congratulations! What States have you highpointed so far?
So far we've done:
New Mexico 13,161 ft
Arizona 12,6333
Texas 8749
South Dakota 7242
Oklahoma 4973
Kansas 4039 (drive up one)
Arkansas 2753
Mississippi 806
Florida 345 (drive up one)
We've climbed lots of mountains in Colorado (some higher than the highpoints we've done), but not Mt. Elbert yet. I think that's the next one. We need to get a 14er in soon. :)
We still haven't BIKED up a 12 or 13,000 footer like SOME people (I'm looking at you, Kin).
Mt. Evans (14,264) was a 14er by bike, but I did have to hike the final 150 feet. :)
I would like to hike Elbert sometime.
I didn't know you did a 14er on yer bike!!! Holy cow, you stud puppy!!!
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