Many people have been asking me what mountain I am climbing next,
well its Mt. Shasta this July.
I first started on my hiking journeys several years ago. I was inspired by a friend who showed me the fun, beauty and satifisfaction in the process of identifying a mountain/challenge, training for it and going for it. This is an annual winning formula for me!
Since June 2012, I have hiked the Haute Route, climbed Mt. Toubkal and Mt. Whitney, ice climbed the Gunks, completed the Spartan Race (give or take 90 burpees) and enjoyed many many day hikes with my family and friends.
I am inspired, intimidated and thrilled by seeing and learning about everyone's adventures, obviously there are people that have trekked further, climbed higher, and lived out life more dangerously than me, I love it all!
I like to search out new excitements, mix in a little danger and try to push my mental and physical limits but always experience the same respectful, excitable nervousness and fear for each one.
Mt. Shasta seems to hit all the above for me and more!
I have respect for the mountain, mother nature, my guides, the climbers before/after me and the ones I climb with! I am never a know it all and my nervousnes and fears leading up to and on my adventures usually pertain to performance anxiety and the new unknowns.
I have worked myself into a Mt. Shasta tizy over...
Am I in my peak shape? Will i slow my fellow climbers down?
Will I be able to carry an 80L pack? I am carrying everything myself this trip,
no mules, no sherpas.
This is the most technical climb i have ever done, crampons, ropes, helmets, ice axes...
Should I rent all this stuff or just buy it?
Will I get my usual heel altering blisters?
Will the altitude affect me like usual? (Even with diamox)
Will I be able to take a deep breath, relax, enjoy and admire
the ride all the way up and down?
AND...is this, as advertised, high intensity trip really my bag? Will I be ok? I am going on this adventure solo, meaning, my usual hiking buddy already knows this trip is not her "bag" and I am off to climb with with six people i do not know...
Next up...training and packing pix and complaining... :)
Follow me on my Mt. Shasta 2014 adventure on twitter too - @hiking_mama
