More ramblings from a wannabe adventurer.

What is this all about?

Why do we see mountains and want to climb them?

What is inside us that makes us do something that pushes us to our limits, possibly makes us sick, and exhausts us beyond measure? And then, to top it all off, we put it on an unwritten bucket list and convince ourselves it will make us feel accomplished.

The answer… do I even have a clue?

But we do it. The outdoors calls you; mountains call you. The feeling of accomplishment is unlike any other, and I think the answer is inside us. It’s raw, it’s basic, it’s not the gear we wear or the tech we consult; it’s you against nature. And you can win. That’s what gives the massive endorphin rush that’s completely unexplainable.

I’ve written before about failing to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro and the heartbreak that followed. But when I achieved what I had set out to do, the feeling of accomplishment overwhelmed me. Now, having summited multiple times, I can assure you the feeling of success is never diminished. The summit is still a goal and a grateful sight when in view. My respect for the process and the journey is greater now than ever. And the pride I feel for our team in making this possible for so many is phenomenal.

Seeing a mountain like Kilimanjaro can take your breath away and make you question whether that dream is something you really want to pursue. Doubt creeps in. Cold nights and sleep deprivation play tricks on you, mixed with immense fatigue, and that’s before the dreaded altitude-sickness games begin.

But if you stay the course, listen to those who know the mountain, who have seen the symptoms, comforted the cries, and embraced the joy. When you rise up, step beyond the steep banks, and the sun creeps from behind the horizon flooding you with a fresh dose of energy, you enter the final stage of fulfilling your goal.

It all slots into place. You know your why.

And as you continue, one foot in front of the other, the glaciers fall into view, the horizon stretches out, and the summit comes within reach, the emotion takes over. Your smile widens, the cold seems a little less intense, and the spring in your step pushes you that last little bit of the way.

The embrace of a friend. The view from the top. Me against the world.

I climb for that feeling. I climb Kilimanjaro to feel that accomplishment. I climb for me.

Ready to chase that feeling?

Share your name, email, and preferred travel month on the below Contact Us form and we’ll get in touch to design your climb.

Contact Vertical Sky