Why or Why not
Sunday Feb 18, Plaza de Mulas
Max returns from the communications tent and tells me I need to call home. I know this is not
good. I get in touch with Lisa on a sat phone and then Luke that tells me his girlfriend Maddie is
gone. She falls trying to get into her apartment late at night and dies from exposure in
Lexington Kentucky. She has been a part of our family for the past year and had so much life
left to live. After the shock I start to plan how to get out. It is a 24 mile walk out and Max tell me
a rescue helicopter can pick me up in 45 minutes the weather was good and I had a window to
get out. this was the same place that a week earlier i saw the 2 climbers with life threatening
pulmonary embolism unable to get a rescue chopper. I had been in camp a hour beat and dirty
now quickly packing everything and going to helipad. the rest of the team was also shot and
they leave their tents, food, and hot showers to help me get loaded saying our good bys I am
seeing them for the last time huddled saddened by my bad news as I fly away. I didnt know any
for life. Three days later I am at her funeral in Chicago so lucky to have made it.
Today:
I said I hoped to find out "why" by the end of the climb. It has been almost 3 months since I got
off the mountain I am just finishing my last post. it has taken me this long to heal both physically
and mentally from the trip. I had vision of writing about my feelings while standing on top
looking down on the Andes. I have been ask if I made it to the top and I tell people yes to keep
from a longer explanation. I made it as far as I was to go, which was after 3 weeks few hundred
meters from the top. I hear people that climb talk about conquering the mountain, the mountain
can kick your ass at any time by many different ways. With my attempt it wasn't injures and
illness which I had both, it was bad news from home that ended my climb. If your lucky and
prepared the mountain will let you up and down, if your not prepared or take too many risks you
will pay the price.
This is a retrospective account of my time on Aconcagua it isn't a how to live or self promotion
but my attempt to understand why and continue to grow and learn. I have had time to think and
look at what is important without the clutter of everyday life and this gives me direction. I
challenged myself physically and mentally, and removed myself from my comfort zone to
become present and aware. I have always looked for inspiration and gotten if from many places
a coach, friend, co worker, nature, art, my children, my wife. Climbing a mountain inspires me
and in some strange way makes me appreciate my friends, family and life more. Aconcagua's biggest
lesson was how precious life is and not to waste a single day.
So did I find out why? I have forgotten the why nots and list only the Why's. Whats next? I am
now training for another climb this July in Russia to Mt Elbrus not as tall 18,600, but cold and
nasty. I will write on another blog Elbrus15.blogspot.com
Why:
Have time to think about whats important in life
Have something to train for
Will never regret not trying
See something that I have never seen
Challenge myself physically & mentally
Recharge
Learn Portuguese? probably not
Met new friends with similar interest
Best steak and Malbec ever
Seeing and feeling the South face of Aconcagua
Its a sin to waste the gifts God has given you I have been blessed to be able to do this.
Only God knows why
Overcoming days like yesterday
Learning Hebrew, a few words
Sunset looking down on the Andes
Living my Life wish
Mate gets me jacked up
Think I can survive a nuclear winter
Thin air makes me goofy
Don't need food
Made me appreciate simple things again Toilette, bed, shower, real food.
I look real scary
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