How improbable and fortunate it is to be living here and now at the frontier of two eternities of nonexistence. // Michael Pollan . For many an alpinist, this climb was probably no big deal. But fear, doubt, and resistance all showed up when I awoke at high camp in the early predawn hours before our 1,700 foot climb. Would the elevation blur our wits? Would I be able to stomach the immense amount of exposure? For god’s sake, wasn’t there an easier way to the top?? . @nickbecerra listened to my concerns and read through my ego’s plea for safety and comfort. Thankfully, he believed in my climbing ability and depth of courage, keeping our objective sharp as I tried to crawl myself out of focus. . Midway through pitch 1, draped in the mountain’s shadow with my hands numb from the cold wind and wild air nipping at my heels, I had visions of abandoning climbing for something more - casual... golf seemed fitting in the moment. Or badminton. Please? But no - we pressed on. . And on. And on. . Unlike the Cascades, the Tetons get a near-daily barrage of lightning in the afternoon, begging for climbers to get an early summit to avoid being a very high target. And yet somehow, aside from the unusual August chill, we were gifted with an ideal weather window, thunderstorms absent in the forecast and sunshine predicted throughout the day. . And so, hours later, slowed by the effects of elevation but free from the risk of electrocution up high, we reached the summit to find that the daily rush had subsided; we were alone - giddy but spent (for me, physically and emotionally) - up top. . Hours later, with Nick having safely navigated our way back to camp in unfamiliar terrain, I took a sip of water, a nibble of mango and collapsed - utterly exhausted - into my sleeping bag. . It wasn’t until the following morning, sipping the most perfect cup of shared Starbucks Via in the warmth of the first rays of sunlight, our bodies rested and finally starting to acclimate to the elevation, that we reflected on the day prior that was, in no uncertain terms, #notasuck . 📸 (1, 2, 6, 8, 10) @nickbecerra