It’s taken a bit to get back to these grand old climbing days. For a while I was hoping just to get to spend more time in the mountains again, but to be actually climbing them again? What a gift. It’s got me reflecting on the journey back to here.
For those of you who have been following this blog, or read 4000s by 40, you’ll know that I ran into some health troubles that consumed most of my 40s. Without getting too deep into it again, the short version is that my central nervous system was severely damaged. To build myself back up, I couldn’t take modern medicine because my body couldn’t handle it, so I tried my hand at a lot of alternative approaches. I’ve tried some pretty weird stuff.
Let’s Get Weird
Some of it’s not too out there. Like meditation and running, or yoga and qigong. I’ve become a huge proponent of grounding, which has been nothing short of lifesaving and is probably deserving of its own post. I’ve also lifted weights, journaled, changed my diet a million times, and vetted damn near every Eastern and Western remedy out there.
But I also met a hypnotist, which was pretty dang weird. The stories from that session will probably find its way into a future book. I’ve also tried reiki, the stones, magnet bracelets, herbs, and have opened myself to every healer one can shake a stick at. I even found myself in an office one day, on the advice from a friend, where a woman held vials of different chemical compounds up against my body to see which ones my body leaned towards. Ok, I’ve had enough of this.
Giving It Time
Along the way, I learned to laugh about the ridiculousness of it all. Without any other option, what else could I do? But some things helped—it just took a while to figure it out. If you’re wondering what those were, I’d point to grounding, vitamin C, sleep, lifting weights, openly discussing it, and time. Being willing to accept time was of paramount importance. Over time, I restored my faith, not only in myself but in God, and slowly plodded my way through. But now that I’m climbing again, it’s clear that nothing else does what mountains can do. Nothing else helps me shrug off the stress of everyday life, or the physical pain, and gives me a good night’s sleep like climbing a big-ass mountain.
Why So Long?
Why did it take me so long to be able to get back here? Well, because of the nerve damage, if disaster struck while standing on a mountaintop, that would be a problem. It really was next to impossible for a spell there. I also ran into a little problem with long covid and my kidneys, making me pretty weak for a couple of years. When my energy started to return, I hiked little hills around my town, over and over again. Small bumps that I could escape back home to if things got out of hand. Gradually, the nerve strikes got quieter and quieter, and the damaged tissue began to heal for the most part. I still have moments, but don’t we all?
Now that I’m able to get out there again, I have a whole new appreciation for what it takes to get to do this, and I’m being very mindful about how to make sure I don’t lose this again. No gift should be taken for granted, but especially not the mountains. They’re too damn special. At least, they are for me.
For the Mountains
We all have our reasons for getting out there in the mountains, but sometimes it’s a climb just to get back to them. On this site I try to capture some of the elements of a hike, beyond a trip report, and like to share how mountains inspire me. It seems like the least I can do, considering all they do for me.
If you are exploring the White Mountains, or mountains anywhere in the world for that matter, and enjoy stories from above the fray, head over to In the Mountains for more. See you out there!