Mt. Bierstadt = 14,060 Feet

I had a second big accomplishment over the weekend. I FINALLY climbed and made it to the summit of a 14ner.

I have been anticipating hiking this mountain for weeks now, wondering if it was going to be possible for me to make it to the top! 7 miles and 8 hours round trip later, I can finally say that it is marked off my list!

(Standing in the parking lot looking at Mt. Bierstadt on the right.)

As I began my hike up the mountain, I thought I was doing great. I was making quick progress, I felt like I had been hiking for a while, and that for sure I had made it halfway…then I rounded a bend and found out that actually I was probably just barely a quarter of the way to the top. I found at that point that I needed to pace myself, take as many breaks as I needed and just keep going. I kept hiking and made it way farther than I did the first time I tried to hike Mt. Bierstadt 3 years ago, but I finally came to a point that I just didn’t think I could go any farther. I sat down, looked at how much more I had to climb and said “it’s either right now, today that you are going to make it to the top of this mountain or it’s not going to happen”. I got up, and pushed myself the final 45 minutes to the top!

As soon as I made it, the tears began. I don’t know if it was from pure exhaustion, or from reflecting on how amazing God is, and being part of his amazing creation. All I know is that this hike was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but in the end it was SO rewarding.

Thinking about all the things we have been through as a couple in the past 2 years, I was reminded at had how strong I am, and how many things I can actually accomplish. After completing this, I feel like there isn’t anything I can’t do. Whatever life may throw my way in the future, I know that I am going to make it through!

(Look, I even still had a smile on my face!)