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Thanks for sharing your story. I was moved by it.....felt my eyes starting to get a little moist.

Congratulations on reaching your goal! Without a goal, I feel life is often just wandering aimlessly.

May God bless you for your service to our country and may He bring healing to your back.

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read and respond to my post. The feeling of community on 14ers is the reason i have been following this site for about 3 years now. I originally wrote this tale the evening after the climb and posted it as a note on my facebook page. I wanted to help to inspire some of my friends and family that don't have the appreciation for life and dreams that the hurdles in my life have blessed me with.

To those that have thanked me for my time in the Army, you are truly welcome and it was an honor! Like most (not all) service members i didn't join the military so i could put bumper stickers on my car, show off my ribbons or tell war stories at the bar. I did it because i loved it.

The pain from that day is a distant memory but the emotions will last a lifetime (I still get a lump in my throat when i read that story). I spent some time last fall camping in the Medano and South Colony area and Shhhhhh...... did you hear that? those 14ers are still calling my name! Someday soon i hope to answer that call.

Corn wrote:I spent some time last fall camping in the Medano and South Colony area and Shhhhhh...... did you hear that? those 14ers are still calling my name! Someday soon i hope to answer that call.

Yeah man! Look forward to hearing about your next big adventure!

Here we are over a year later and I have been trying to decide whether or not to post. I eventually came to this conclusion based on the great responses, from the members here, to my original story. This year, on the 18th of May, with another pending surgery less than a month away, I decided to once again test myself at 14000 ft and went for Bierstadt. It hurt, not as bad as Pikes, but it hurt! 10 hours start to finish and a collapse to the pavement back at the Jeep. Fast Forward to August, I enrolled in the Outdoor Leadership program at CSU Pueblo. One of my classes was Intro to Mountaineering, and the peak, my original nemesis, Pikes! On the 16th of August I stood at the trail head, two months post op, and prepared for battle once again. As I hiked the Crags, I felt good, real good. I didn't allow my self to relax because in my mind, any minute the pain would hit. Standing on top, I knew I felt good, but the trip back down would get me, wouldn't it? I was far from setting any speed record but as I finished my walk to the Jeep it was just that a nice walk. No hobbling, no collapse, and no feeling of defeat taking the cog down. I evened up the score. This last Friday I stood atop Mt. Princeton with my wife, lump in my throat, knowing that many great journeys lay ahead!

You are seriously an amazingly encouraging person! Thank you for your service and thank you for posting your updates. Can't wait to hear about your next summit!

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story and thank you for serving our country. I admire your courage and determination. Never give up, and never stop fighting !

Reading your posts in inspiring to say the least.

We all have our quirks and demons that for whatever reason allow us to complain when we hike. For someone such as yourself to have real injuries to overcome and still stand atop 'your Everest' (I know what you are saying), kudos, and I for one would be honored to hike with you sir.

We all have our own personal "Everest". Congrats.
14ers will get easier, the more of them you do.
Keep the fire burnin!

Corn, you had commented on my conditions report for Bierstadt back in May and we figured out that we briefly met that day while hiking. I think I took a picture of you and your wife.

It's a humbling experience to recognize that every person you run into and every person you see has a story of their own. Everyone has their own passions and misgivings, triumphs and defeats, dreams and fears, love and heartache. And yet we usually do nothing more than say hi and move on with our day.

So, thanks for sharing your story and your experience. Best of luck in all of your future adventures!

You are a real hero! Thanks for your story and I hope God continues to heal and bless your family. Keep kicking Mr. Gravity's ass!

Awesome job Corn! You are inspirational!