At 14,410 feet, Mt Ranier in Washington State is the highest
mountain in the continental United States. It is actually an active volcano
covered by the largest glaciers south of Alaska. According to the National Park
Service, mountain climbing on Mt Ranier is very difficult requiring a knowledge
of self rescue, glacier and wilderness travel. About 8,000 to
13,000 people attempt the climb each year. Only half of those are
successful in reaching the top.
I made the climb again this year with four of our veterans
and a handful of exceptional volunteers from Camp Patriot which is a charity
program that takes our wounded vets on outdoor adventure excursions like
hunting, rafting, biking, and climbing. “Giving back to those who gave” is the
Camp Patriot motto. But once again
I found in my effort to give back I was indeed the greatest recipient. Give and
you shall receive. (read Acts 20:35)
Ryan was a Navy Seal deployed to Iraq, where he lost his
eyesight to a 7.62mm round when he was shot in the head. Two years later, He
climbed Mt Ranier blind.
Rey graduated from West Point in 07 as a promising young
officer in the Army. A few months
later he was paralyzed from the neck down when he fell from an obstacle in
Ranger school. Living his life as
quadriplegic wasn’t working for Rey. So he taught himself to walk and 18 months
later was climbing Mt Ranier.
Mario is a special forces soldier with a big smile and a
happy attitude. Looking at him, you would never know that two years ago he lost
most of his lower face when a roadside bomb exploded underneath his
vehicle. At first, even his 5
year-old son didn’t recognize him. The Army told him he would have to be
released from duty for medical reasons. But getting out was not an option for
Mario. 19 surgeries later, and with a whole lot of intestinal fortitude, Mario
is back with his SF unit. He took some leave to climb to the top of Mt Ranier.
His little boy had asked to come with. “I want to climb with you Dad”. But this
was a trip Mario needed to make on his own.
While on patrol in Afghanistan with the 75th
Ranger Regiment, Jesse was hit 4 times in the side of his chest. His buddy in
front of him was killed. He woke up in a hospital with shrapnel lodged in his
heart. The doctors said his days
with the Rangers were over. At best, he might stay in the Army but he would
have to take a non-strenuous job behind a desk somewhere. This simply would not do for a ranger
who planned on staying just that. He found a doctor that would do the risky
surgery and set his mind to healing and recovering fully. Today Jesse still
serves in the Ranger regiment and less than 2 years after being shot in the
heart, made it to the top of the highest volcano in America.
Getting to the top of Ranier and back down takes about 3
days. It is a grueling climb that takes you over rock faces, across glaciers,
and up steep inclines that can only be tackled one step at a time. Physically
it is exhausting. The first day is spent getting to base camp at 10,000 feet
vertical. The second day is spent acclimating to the altitude and learning
important life-saving techniques like how to save yourself and your buddies
from sliding off the glacier into a crevasse. Weather, snow and ice conditions can change rapidly
especially as the sun heats up the glacier. Being prepared is the difference
between enjoying a life long rewarding experience and tragedy.
At about 11:30 pm that night you gear up, tie into each
other and step off to attempt the last 4000 feet to the summit. The higher you go, the harder it gets
because the cold and the altitude slowly take their toll. Each breath begins to
feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest. Each step becomes a labored movement. Step. Breath. Step.
Breath. Breath some more. Step again. This goes on all night and into the
morning until finally you see the sun come up below you. By then you are physically drained. But
where the body gives up, your mind will take over. The last 1000 vertical feet
to the top are achieved only by sheer will power. The squeeze however, is
definitely worth the juice.
From the top of Ranier, standing at the edge of the crater
looking south, you are above the clouds and can see all the other “fire
mountains” poking through the sea of white. Mt Adams is closest. To the right
looms the infamous St Helens with her side blown out from the eruption back in
the 80s. And if you look far off into Oregon you can see Mt Hood outside of
Portland. It is a stunning and absolutely life lasting memory that fills you
with pride and accomplishment.
I learned a great lesson that day in the strength of the
mind to overcome physical obstacles. Not from my own accord but in the examples
set by Ryan, Rey, Mario and Jesse. You’ve all heard coaches talk about their
favorite player. He’s the one who may be lacking in God given physical skills
but makes up for it with an overabundance of determination and drive. They say “that kid has heart!” A person
with heart doesn’t know what they can NOT do. They only know what they CAN do. Why do coaches love these
players so much? Because heart is infectious that’s why. The team takes notice
of the example set by the overachievement of the underdog. They are inspired to
work harder, to push beyond their limits, and to accomplish the task at hand
though it may seem unreachable. Heart builds character. And character is the
foundation of champions, heroes and saints.
I have come up with a new mathematical equation that I think
should be taught in school. Mind over matter + heart = Victory. Try it. It
works! Next time you find yourself at the end of your rope, tie a knot, hang on
and pull yourself up. You have more in you than you think you do. If you need
motivation and inspiration then try looking to the underdog with heart. Ryan,
Rey, Mario and Jesse are on your team working hard for you. Theirs is an
example worth following. They do not know what can not be done. They only know
what must be done.
Getting where you want to be will not be easy. It will
require everything you have in you and then some. It’s going to hurt. It will
be exhausting. It will push you beyond where you are comfortable being pushed.
But get there you will, one step at a time, the miles will unfold. Through the
darkness you will stumble. Through the cold you may shiver. But the sunrise
awaits illuminating where it is you want to be. And it is that last little
push, that last 1000 vertical feet that requires all we have left even when we
are sure we have nothing left.
Your body will scream in defiance. But your mind will stay strong. Your
heart will kick in. And you will
stand high above the clouds where only the eagles dare to fly.
Where Eagles Dare to Fly
F15 Eagles do a fly over for Camp Patriot
From atop Ranier you can see Mt Adam, Mt Hood. See More pics
in my albums