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29029 Snowbasin #2 Recap

What Does it Take to Everest?

By 29029 Everesting

August 23^rd, 2023

We’ve met this mountain before. Nearly two weeks ago, 250 climbers conquered their own Everests on the slopes of Snowbasin.

This past weekend, it happened again.

As hundreds lined up for Snowbasin #2, a singular, echoing question persisted.

What does it take to Everest?

Within 36 hours, they’d all discover the answer on the mountain. Here are those vital elements.

Preparation

If achieving something remarkable is the goal, preparation is what gets you there.

Preparation was the first brick laid - the first stone of the great pyramid that is the summit of Everest.

Preparation was the early mornings or late nights spent fitting your training into an already busy life.

Preparation was the long hikes.

Preparation was the time spent in the gym.

Preparation was the countless hours spent getting ready for this - getting ready for the mountain.

Nerves

We often fight nervous energy - pushing it down, and refusing to acknowledge it.

But at 29029, nerves are a compass, guiding you toward challenges worth facing.

The nervous energy brought to the start line meant only one thing - you were doing something worthwhile!

Acceptance of those nerves would only fuel the fire. The energy from your nerves was what propelled you onward and upward, towards Everest.

And as you moved toward the summit, those nerves slowly started to fade away, until eventually, it was just you and the mountain.

No pretense. No worries. No nerves.

Just you and 29,029 vertical feet in your sights.

Grit

Sometime during Friday - maybe it was during the first ascent, or maybe during the fifth - things start to feel a little harder.

Of course, it was never easy - the mountain made sure of that - but there comes a time when the difficulty starts to ratchet up even further.

Tired legs, fatigued minds, and bodies marred by the heat start to dial up the challenge.

That’s where grit came in.

Grit is what kept you climbing when you didn’t want to.

Grit is what you displayed every time you chose to take another step forward.

Grit is what kept you going through the heat of day and well into the night.

Patience

There came a time on the mountain during which it felt like 36 hours would never end.

Everesting a mountain is repetitive.

When the magnitude of the summit made it seem out of reach, patience became your ally.

Patience reminded you that the summit wasn’t going anywhere - you just needed to keep going if you wanted to claim it.

Every step, no matter how small, was a practice in patience that got you closer to your goal.

What The Mountain Gave

Every journey is a two-way street. Where climbers brought their preparation, nerves, grit, and patience to the mountain, the mountain in turn had offerings to bestow.

For those that braved the daunting slopes and towering peaks, the mountain offered struggle, support, and celebration.

Struggle

Struggle is inherent to the very essence of 29029. The mountain is a challenge, not only physically, but mentally.

Doubt. Fatigue. Pain. Heat. Suffering.

It all led to your struggle on the mountain.

Yet, with struggle came opportunity: opportunity for growth.

Struggle was the invitation to dig deep, confront fears, and come out the other side stronger, more resilient, and improved.

The mountain provided that opportunity.

Support

Nobody at 29029 climbs alone.

Even during the solitary moments, the spirit of camaraderie was palpable at Snowbasin.

From the kind words from Colleen at the base, the cheers from spectators, the cowbells from aid stations, and the words of encouragement from a fellow climber, support was the winds beneath your wings.

Behind every story of success, there were countless hands offering aid, voices offering support, and hearts offering belief.

An entire community on the mountain willed you towards your summit.

Celebration

The summit was more than just a destination, it was a celebration.

Each ascent - each peak conquered - was a testament to the 29029 community’s indomitable will.

While the success of reaching your summit was personal, the celebration was communal.

Cheers. High-fives. Tears of joy. Hugs.

Every expression painted a vivid tapestry of achievement. For, at the end, 29029 wasn’t just about climbing the mountain - it was about celebrating the spirit of determination and unity.

Tales from the Slopes

While the mountain presented its challenges, the personal tales from those who scaled its heights encapsulate the true spirit of 29029.

Each individual story that unfolded on the mountain serves as a testament to the raw power of determination and resilience.

Here are but a few of these incredible journeys that unfolded on the slopes of Snowbasin.

Racing the Clock

Shortly after 4 pm, Nikki summited her 12th ascent.

For 34 relentless hours, she’d been a portrait of grit, rhythm, and resilience. Her ascents had averaged a little over two and a half hours, with her fastest clocking in at 2:15.

Riding the gondola down, a stirring inside of her whispered of unfinished business.

So at 4:15 pm, with only 1:45 left on the clock, she began another climb, hungry to empty every reserve into the mountain’s challenge.

The mountain and time are fierce rivals, and sometimes, they win.

She couldn’t reach the first aid station before the cut-off. Her final summit count stood at 12.

While many would have rested on the laurels of achieving so much over 34 hours, Nikki chose grit over comfort. She left a mark on the mountain, inspiring us all.

Everesting and Then Some

Dr. Jon approached Snowbasin’s start line with a heart burdened by recent life challenges. Life had thrown a few curveballs his way mere weeks prior.

Knowing the catharsis a 29029 mountain can offer, he was driven to experience the transformative experiences that were waiting to be found at the summit.

Jon chose to face the mountain head-on, and 13 ascents later, earned his Red Hat, a testament to his resilience.

Yet, the mountain still whispered, beckoning him.

Jon kept climbing, and 17 ascents later, with the weight of his accomplishment and a Red Hat, he finally got to take his well-earned break.

He had run out the clock in his own way.

Playing Catch Up

Only a few ascents in, it looked like Cale’s Everesting attempt was going to be cut short. He was suffering the effects of heat stroke and wasn’t able to keep any food or liquids down.

Instead of letting despair drown him, he recalibrated, flanked by his brother and father. Hours rolled by behind the Red Hat pace, but he didn’t panic.

Cale chipped away, slowly closing the gap.

As the Saturday sun started to dip, Cale came into view from the finish line for a 13th time.

His Red Hat wasn’t just a token of accomplishment, it was emblematic of the patience, composure and resilience that painted his narrative on Snowbasin’s canvas.

It was an epic achievement of an epic goal.

Etched in Stone

These stories are but a few of the narratives that unfolded on the slopes of Snowbasin. Each one, unique in its twists and turns, shares one truth - the mountain may test your resolve, but your own inner fire is what dictates the outcome.