29029 Stratton Recap

A Season Capped

By 29029 Everesting

October 27^th, 2022

242 people came to Stratton, Vermont for the 29029’s season finale. 242 people arrived, ready to tackle the short, steep, arduous slopes.

242 people were ready to search for their personal Everest.

Cold mornings

October in Stratton brought freezing temperatures overnight and into the early mornings.

Clouds of condensation poured out of participants' lungs under the morning golden glow. Instead of morning dew, grass was covered in a thin layer of frost, making every step a slippery challenge.

Every single ascent at Stratton would have to be earned.

Lean in

To climb up a slope as steep as Stratton, you had to lean into it. Dirt steps, created from boots kicking in for traction, guided the way toward the summit.

But to get to the summit, you had to lean into more than just the slope.

You had to lean into the 29029 community.

Whether it was a hug from the Voice of the Mountain; Colleen, or a fist bump from a 29029 volunteer, or kind words of encouragement from a fellow participant, the community was there, willing you on towards your personal Everest.

Summit Saturday

From the first ascent on, the reward was always visible. The Red Carpet sat perched atop Stratton Mountain, a board of Red Hats awaiting those who earned them.

Stopping was never an option.

Everything ends

Winds gusted overnight, blowing much of the remaining autumn foliage off the trees. Bare branches signified the end of autumn, a reminder that everything ends.

It may sound bleak, but that simple fact - that everything ends - is something to draw inspiration from.

Everything ends, including struggles and hard times.

The end of 36 hours at 29029 signals the start of something new. A new life begins after climbing the mountain.

Courage

It’s not just the Red Hat that symbolizes accomplishment.

You are not defined by the color you leave with.

Instead, you are defined by how you responded to a challenge so ambitious - so massive - that many wouldn’t even consider attempting even a single ascent.

But not you. You thrive on the challenge. You set out courageously to leave everything on the mountain.

Here are a few of the many stories of courage that transpired on the slopes of Stratton.

Persevere

Al has climbed at 29029 before, but he hasn't been able to walk the Red Carpet yet.

His personal Everest is to get closer to his goal on each mountain, and in Vermont, he set out on a mission to do just that.

Al came closer than ever to pulling on a Red Hat, but with two ascents to go, he had run out of time. He might have time for one more, but there wasn't enough time to reach Everest.

Instead of stopping, Al set out again. He was going to get closer to Everest than he’d ever been before, and through sheer courage and grit, finished his 16th ascent under the cover of darkness.

Al emptied his tank to achieve his personal Everest.

Aconcagua

“Grey hair makes you a celebrity on this mountain!” Judy exclaimed. She was the oldest participant in Stratton, and the community rallied behind that.

Judy didn’t believe age should be a limiting factor, and her fellow participants didn’t either as they cheered her on.

She chipped away on the mountain, ever positive, always moving towards the summit. When time ran out, Judy had completed 15 ascents, all the way to Aconcagua!

Still smiling

Where do you reach for inspiration when things get hard? For Sonya, she reached into the recent loss of a loved one to fuel her ascents. Her why was to honor someone lost too soon.

She climbed Stratton Mountain again and again, staying positive as she chipped away, eventually reaching Vinson.

Sonya could have stopped there - 9 ascents was no easy feat - but there was still some time left, so she kept climbing. As 36 hours approached - as the sun set behind Stratton Mountain - Sonya finished her 10th ascent, still smiling.

Running out the clock

Liz summited for the 15th time around 5:30 pm. With only 90 minutes left to the finish, most expected her to be finished. This late into the event, it would be challenging to hike an entire ascent so quickly.

Liz was shooting for Red, but instead of the Red Hat, her personal Everest was the Red Bib. With little time to spare, she started her 16th ascent.

She approached the summit as the final climber on the mountain, and just minutes before the cut-off time she completed her 16th ascent, pulling on her Red Bib.