Pico de Orizaba: Rebuilding from rock bottom
How a candid Facebook post led me to AWExpeditions, Pico de Orizaba, and a return to the volcanic peaks that started my climbing journey.
Unfiltered: What hurt about Peru, and what I’m taking with me
Sometimes you pay for the summit, and sometimes you just pay for an expensive lesson. Read the raw breakdown of why my Peru expedition fell apart and what I'm fixing next time.
The“F” Word: Defining failure in mountaineering
When you miss a high-altitude objective, is it a "non-summit" or a failure? Reframing comforting metaphors, analyzing mental vs. physical limits, and learning to sit comfortably with falling short.
The back of the pack: My experience mountaineering in Peru
I didn't get a summit in Peru, but I walked away with something far more valuable than a peak. From chaotic baggage packing to a 75% pulse ox reading at high camp, this is a radically honest summary of my recent expedition, the reality of hitting a physical limit, and lessons learned along the way.
Developing my mountaineering process goals
The summit is a bonus; the process is the job. Learn why shifting from outcome goals to process goals is the key to high-altitude success. I’m stripping my mountaineering strategy down to three rules to train my brain for the big peaks.
Mistakes I made on Kilimanjaro (And what I’d do differently)
I summited Kilimanjaro, but I did it wrong. From the 'gym-bro' nutrition trap to training for the wrong terrain, here is the raw, non-aspirational post-mortem of my mistakes on the mountain—and the mechanical reality of what it actually takes to reach 19,341 feet.
Pre-expedition therapy: A sneak peek into my session
Mountaineering is more than just summiting. I’m dealing with the 'what if' shadow, high-altitude mindset and why failing isn't the end of the road.
Ecuador vs. Peru for a beginner mountaineer
When my mountaineering expedition to Ecuador was canceled, I had a choice: wait or pivot. After getting advice from Steve House and the Alpenglow team, I’m trading the glaciated "walk-ups" of Chimborazo for the technical Cordillera Blanca of Peru. Here’s why the shift to Tocllaraju is actually better preparation for my ultimate goal of climbing Mount Everest.
Midwest mountaineering: Finding community at Michigan Ice Fest
Can you train for a 6,000m peak in the Midwest? Following advice from my coach, Steve House, I headed to Munising to find out. I went for the crampons, but I stayed for the community.