Vermont: Day Two

Finish Like a Champion

By 29029 Everesting

October 16^th, 2021

Origins

Stratton Mountain played host to the very first 29029 in 2017. Back then, nobody knew how many people would sign up for something as crazy as Everesting a mountain.

Today, there are four annual 29029 events. It's safe to say that there is a tribe out there who love doing hard things.

A tribe that wants to free their soul. A tribe that wants to discover themselves. A tribe that wants to prove what's possible.

The Longest Night

It’s October. The long days of summer are gone, and in their place: autumn. Along with fall colors come lengthy nights. There are more hours under darkness here than any other 29029 event.

But that doesn’t stop the legends on this mountain. Headlamps guide the way up the mountain - always moving towards the summit.

Elements

The mountain always has an extra challenge up its sleeve. In the early morning, the slopes were battered with stormy weather. It didn’t matter how windy it got – or how much rain fell from the sky – you kept going.

The rain tried to stop you. It tried to wash away those hard-earned summit markings on your bib. But you pushed through. You stepped up. You kept chipping away. You toughed it out.

Change is Coming

When the rain stopped, the vibrant autumn colors broke through again - a reward for braving the earlier storms. The oranges and yellows are a sign that winter is coming, but it’s not here yet. First, the trees have to finish their change.

You have to finish your change as well – the change that comes from accomplishing something amazing. The change that comes when you finally achieve your goal. The change that comes from making it to Everest.

Part of Something Special

When you show up at 29029, you automatically become part of something special – part of something bigger than yourself.

You’re a part of a tribe that wants each other to succeed. Part of a tribe that will do anything to get each other to the top. Part of a tribe that loves to see others achieve their goal. This is the 29029 tribe.

Sherpa

New to Vermont is the 29029 Sherpa. Much like the Sherpas at Mount Everest, the 29029 Sherpa exists to help get you to the summit within the time limit. The Sherpa bib, worn by a coach, represents a pace that will achieve all 17 summits.

The Sherpa is more than just a fool-proof way of budgeting your time. They are also an ally, ever-supportive as they help you towards the summit. The Sherpa is there to help.

All For This

Remember when Jesse said to finish like a champion?

Everything culminates here at the top of the mountain.

Braving the torrential rains and winds, sweating up the steep slopes, slipping through the muddy trenches, and depriving yourself of sleep to continue up the mountain were all for this. All for the chance to walk down the Red Carpet and pull on the Red Hat.