Big NSV for me! Pics of my climb to the summit
vanillasugar
Posts: 246 Member
So, I started my journey here in Feb of 2010 and to date have lost 80 lbs (yay me!). I'm working on my last 20 now to reach my goal. Last year in the summer of 2010 I had already lost almost 50 and made it a personal goal to climb to the summit of a mountain known as "flat top" in Anchorage, Alaska (where I spend 8 weeks every summer). I did not get the opportunity to attempt it last year because frankly, I couldn't find anyone willing to go with me. Bummer. On looking back, I honestly don't know if I would have made it last year or not if I *had* attempted it. But, I digress.
So, this year, I had a party of 4 going - myself, my dad, his new wife and her son. About midway up, new wife didn't want to proceed and would not allow her son to proceed as she thought it was "too dangerous" (people of all ages do this all the time and son is 19, but that's another story). So, my father didn't want to leave her alone either so all of a sudden I am completely abandoned, left to finish on my own or quit. I honestly was a little hurt that my dad didn't proceed with me and actually cried for several minutes after they headed back down, but sucked it up and proceeded on my own. That was my first mini NSV
Prior to this, I would not have even considered going forth on this trek from that point by myself.
So, here is the mountain looming ahead (already halfway up the 3500 ft mountain side by this point):
Most of the trail was great and it was not a difficult climb at all, even for an inexperienced climber/hiker such as myself. As I got nearer the summit, however, the difficulty increased as did my trepidation lol:
Looking up toward the final climb to the summit
Looking down
I almost quit then, not from being tired, but being chicken :blushing: I am - never have been nor will I ever be - an adrenaline junkie. I just wanted to do this one thing and accomplish a personal goal. So I waited for some other people to start the climb so I wasn't by myself completely (you know, so someone could notify my next of kin should I slip or misstep and plummet to my death on the rocks on the way down the mountainside, lol) and up I continued.
Well, about 20 feet from the summit, I made the mistake of looking down and got lightheaded, dizzy and MAJORLY PANICKED. I mean, I froze on the spot, couldn't go up, couldn't start down and honestly thought someone was going to have send a rescue helicopter for me because I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to move to continue. Just paralyzed with fear. Thankfully, another woman climber noticed my trepidation and asked if I was ok. I told her no, I didn't think I was, lol. I said this is not me, I don't do this kind of thing, I should not be up here and I need to get down. LMAO. She was very kind and I thank her immensely for her encouraging words. She proceeded to tell me how far I had come, how close I was and really encouraged me to continue. I finally took a deep breath and continued. For about another 10 feet. And panicked again. My wonderful new friend encouraged me some more, pointed out how very very close I was and how much I would regret it if I turned back now. I don't know how I managed to overcome the sheer terror I felt, but I was definitely encouraged by this woman and did manage to summon the will to press on.
Victory was mine!
All thanks to Tracy without whom, I know I could not have done it:
The view was amazing:
But even more amazing was the fact that I accomplished my goal (even though I needed a little gentle prodding lmao) and I am so proud of myself for that! I could not have done it at the weight I was before, nor without the self-confidence I have gained along the way of my journey.
I have to say, I was just as nervous on the trek back down, but I made it and am thankfully still here to share the story with all of you here at MFP :happy:
So, this year, I had a party of 4 going - myself, my dad, his new wife and her son. About midway up, new wife didn't want to proceed and would not allow her son to proceed as she thought it was "too dangerous" (people of all ages do this all the time and son is 19, but that's another story). So, my father didn't want to leave her alone either so all of a sudden I am completely abandoned, left to finish on my own or quit. I honestly was a little hurt that my dad didn't proceed with me and actually cried for several minutes after they headed back down, but sucked it up and proceeded on my own. That was my first mini NSV
Prior to this, I would not have even considered going forth on this trek from that point by myself.So, here is the mountain looming ahead (already halfway up the 3500 ft mountain side by this point):
Most of the trail was great and it was not a difficult climb at all, even for an inexperienced climber/hiker such as myself. As I got nearer the summit, however, the difficulty increased as did my trepidation lol:
Looking up toward the final climb to the summit
Looking down
I almost quit then, not from being tired, but being chicken :blushing: I am - never have been nor will I ever be - an adrenaline junkie. I just wanted to do this one thing and accomplish a personal goal. So I waited for some other people to start the climb so I wasn't by myself completely (you know, so someone could notify my next of kin should I slip or misstep and plummet to my death on the rocks on the way down the mountainside, lol) and up I continued.
Well, about 20 feet from the summit, I made the mistake of looking down and got lightheaded, dizzy and MAJORLY PANICKED. I mean, I froze on the spot, couldn't go up, couldn't start down and honestly thought someone was going to have send a rescue helicopter for me because I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to move to continue. Just paralyzed with fear. Thankfully, another woman climber noticed my trepidation and asked if I was ok. I told her no, I didn't think I was, lol. I said this is not me, I don't do this kind of thing, I should not be up here and I need to get down. LMAO. She was very kind and I thank her immensely for her encouraging words. She proceeded to tell me how far I had come, how close I was and really encouraged me to continue. I finally took a deep breath and continued. For about another 10 feet. And panicked again. My wonderful new friend encouraged me some more, pointed out how very very close I was and how much I would regret it if I turned back now. I don't know how I managed to overcome the sheer terror I felt, but I was definitely encouraged by this woman and did manage to summon the will to press on.
Victory was mine!
All thanks to Tracy without whom, I know I could not have done it:
The view was amazing:
But even more amazing was the fact that I accomplished my goal (even though I needed a little gentle prodding lmao) and I am so proud of myself for that! I could not have done it at the weight I was before, nor without the self-confidence I have gained along the way of my journey.
I have to say, I was just as nervous on the trek back down, but I made it and am thankfully still here to share the story with all of you here at MFP :happy:
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Replies
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well done you!! And that last picture is absolutely stunning!0
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GREAT JOB!0
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All I can say is............WOW.
I'm in awe.0 -
That is a great story and something you won't forget. Good for you! You know you can do anything now - with a little encouragement.0
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AWESOME NSV!!! How cool is that! and the pics are great! And congrats on your weight loss!!!0
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Thanks for sharing! That's amazing! And I'm proud of you for making it to the top, alone! Wow!0
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Way to go. Now I want to come up there and hike this mountain. Putting it on my bucket list. Thanks for the great success story and I'm glad you made it to the top.0
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Thank you for sharing. You are awesome.0
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Great job! And thank you Tracy wherever you are!0
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I love your story! Sometimes all it takes is a few kind words from a stranger to help push us to our goals.
The view is absolutely amazing and I am super jealous!0 -
Love it! Love this Tracy too! Way to go!0
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woot go you!! looks like one heck of a climb 0
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Awesome! Great pictures!
I would have freaked out about the height too. I get scared climbing a ladder lol.0 -
Good for you!! (...on so many different levels!) Thanks for sharing and inspiring us all!!!0
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what an amazing accomplishment and great story! Congratulations! I need to choose a mountain to climb myself. Thanks for the inspiration.0
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How awesome!!! Pics are wonderful too.. but knowing you can do whatever you want now is the best!!! You are an inspiration!!0
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VERY INSPIRING!!
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HUGE Way To Go!!! So happy for you for accomplishing your goal! Seems like Tracy was sent to be your guardian angel!
From the looks of the pictures, I think I might have been just as scared to go down as to go up. Wow - that is quite a mountain!
Congrats!!!!0 -
GREAT job!! I am so happy for you!! I have recently taken up hiking myself and it is such a great feeling to reach the summit. As for your family...shame on them for leaving you. Nobody should ever leave a hiker to hike by themselves. I am glad there were other people there for you to cheer you on and look out for you.0
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Nothing can stop you now....AWESOME JOB!!!!0
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One "small" thing she forgot to mention! At the top, just before she started down thinking she was going to plummet to her death she texted her mother this message "Shouldn't have done this. I love you. I'm scared." Upon getting this message I texted back "why...what's wrong?" thinking bear etc. No answer. Soooo I then panic until FINALLY she is down the mountain and answers me. I still get to burn some calories kicking her butt when she gets home! Love you hon and am very proud of you.0
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I have goose bumps from reading your post... Congrats on achieving your goal :drinker: and thanks for sharing! 0
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Well done! Brilliant to see that in losing weight you've found confidence and great fitness levels!0
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Amazing! That is a huge achievement!
Okay, I'll admit. I'm a big baby, and I got a little teary-eyed when you started struggling so close to the summit! Having someone there to cheer you and and push you forward --- well, that was it. I am a big, sniffly little girl right now.
Again, congratulations! What a feeling of triumph!
(ALSO --- Lol, ladybug91254! How conveniently forgotten!)0 -
Thanks to all of you! Yes, Tracy was a godsend and I wish I would have taken her number or something. I would love to be able to tell her how much she really really helped me and thank her so much for her encouragement.
And LOL about texting my mom. Yea, I was trying to be subtle and not tell her how absolutely panic-stricken I was but I guess the bluntness of "I'm scared." was enough to worry her. Service was spotty up there and I wasn't even sure if it would go through then or not and of course, then when she texted me back I was already on the way down and couldn't answer her for about 30 minutes.
I am so glad that I did not give up and quit.0 -
You rock!!! Congratulations!!0
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whoooa baby! hats off to u!0
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Way to go my baby girl!! A major success, especially knowing what a chicken you are, hehe0
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