Climbing mountains is something I do, it is not who I am.
May 21, 2023
Climbing mountains is something I do, it is not who I am.
When others find a spark of inspiration from the choices I have made in response to traumatic brain injury and vision loss, I am reminded of the impact I can make and therefore see value in sharing my story. Keeping authentic, I aim to keep others informed and educated about the realities of my experience with only 30 % eyesight and how I have chosen to respond to all that has come in the wake of my TBI including keeping the story set in mountains, many above 8 000 m.
I certainly have learned life does not always go the way we anticipate.
Despite literally hundreds of attempts to procure financial sponsorship along with countless interviews, podcasts, school talks and media features, I have been unable to secure any partners willing to help fund Vision 8 000, climbing all of our world’s 14 peaks above 8 000 m. I am thankful for gear donations from Julbo, MSR, Hyperlite, Himali and Leki as well as the generosity of Mingma G. and Imagine Nepal. Despite such support, I have exhausted my financial savings and such circumstances pull from my personal why of climbing.
I am thankful for the support International friends and family continue to keep their ‘eyes open’, helping me connect with potential sponsors. I feel that with such, along with continued effort, income may eventually present itself to support my training, climbing and future yet, with gratitude for incredible experiences on Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, K2 , Broad Peak and Annapurna, I am choosing to pause 8 000 m climbing.
My smile ignites with thoughts of more technical mountain training, trail running and perhaps getting back on a bicycle before the powder tempts and waterfalls freeze.
Leaving shoulds behind, come along as I take you to new places on this trail lit up by the power of perspective and possibility.