I have said it many times and I will say it again .. I would have never chosen this life for myself. It can only be a testament to God’s Almighty hand on me. I would have sold myself so short, if given the choice. I have made so many stupid decisions, tasted everything the world has to offer, gone astray, and lived recklessly time and time again. To be honest … I have no idea how or why I am where I am. It is truly all glory to Him, because I surely don’t deserve any of this.
With all of that said, Summer 2024 has been one for the books! With backcountry ski season coming to an end in early May, the season change brought with it longer days, countless sunsets, summer climbing, backpacking, and endless lake adventures. This place truly is an alpine Caribbean.
I spent most of June up in Washington State, reunited with my best friend Colt, and climbing with The American Alpine Institute. The course knowledge and the guide professionalism were so inspiring, and I got to witness the high prestige and reputation of this organization lived out first hand. Our class bonded very quickly, and friendships were formed to last a lifetime. We spent approximately five days on Mount Baker, learning the ins-and-outs of crevasse rescue, glacier navigation, and traveling in rope teams. We had our summit day, made our way off the mountain, and traveled back to the shop to reorganize and regroup for our North Cascade objectives.
We then spent the remaining five days camped just outside of the beautiful little town of Mazama, Washington, climbing various objectives in the miniature Himalaya that is the North Cascade mountain range. Washington is truly out of this world. Just when I think that I can’t fall more in love with God’s creation, He never fails to just completely blow my mind.
I arrived back in Lake Tahoe with a beat up body, but a soaring spirit. The rest of my summer consisted of many backpacking trips, paddle-boarding, some local climbing, and tons of time spent on by the lake. When I moved here last fall, I truly thought I was just going to be here for the winter season .. and yet, here I am all these months later and I couldn’t be happier. Funny how life works like that.
I truly can’t wait to see what God has in store for this upcoming year. I just feel overwhelming gratitude for everything and everyone in my life right now. Its little tastes of Heaven in this short little life we live here on Earth.
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