Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Last summer was wildly disappointing for me. I spend all summer looking forward to climbing, but last summer, I had severe chronic tendonitis in my ankle, along with a sclerosis and bone spurs that only allowed me to climb one mountain. I felt old. Then last August I ruptured a disk in my back. That led to me finding out that I have degenerative disk disease in three disks in my back, which won't heal. Two doctors told me that I can never run again- I'm an avid runner- and I was unable to so much as go for a walk for three months. I felt old, depressed, and frantic. Would I be able to climb? Doctors basically were telling me that if I could, I could. It has been a frightening winter.
I made a plan to climb Yale, and had been working towards this for some time, but I was so scared- what if my back or my ankle kept me from the top? I'm only 46- it's not like I'm 75! We arrived at the trailhead at 630 and stared close to 7AM.
"I'm still walking, so I'm sure that I can dance..... I'm a Saint of Circumstance."
This is one of the most gratifying climbs I've ever had. It was wet, misty, rainy, snowy, and at the top, extremely cold with a biting wind. The walk out was long and my ankle barely held on, but I didn't care. Losing running was enough. Making the top of Yale effectively gave back something I thought I may have lost. It also gave me a truly grateful feeling. One of my mantras on climbs is that you can only take what the mountain gives. Now I have to face the truth that I can also only take what my body gives. Moving forward, I immediately made plans to climb with my son Milo- his first 14er. But I am determined to appreciate what I am able to do and enjoy it all.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Nice work! Love the deeper stories involved in so many of our climbs...we all have them or we wouldn’t be so hooked. Living for the day. Good luck with your son’s first!
Sometimes you get shown the light... 8/12/2015 6:08pm
...in the strangest places if you look at it right.
Good work!
(~);)
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
