When I first followed Everest No Filter in 2017, I never imagined I’d one day meet the man who sparked my dream of climbing Everest. This year, as I finally take my first real steps toward that goal, Cory Richards came to Ohio, and our paths crossed in a way that felt like fate. His words, his story, and three simple words have been echoing in my head ever since.

The Barranco Wall loomed above us, and today was all about trust: in our guides, in each other, and in ourselves. Between tears, rumors of descent, and even a helicopter evacuation, we clawed our way to Karanga—still standing.

Day four brought songs, sneezes, and the slow grind up to 15,000 feet at Lava Tower. Headaches, rainstorms, and endless descents tested us — but the promise of the Barranco Wall ahead gave me something to look forward to.

Day three tested me in ways I wasn’t expecting. Between diarrhea, hailstorms, and endless rocky climbs, I learned what it really means to dig deep—sometimes just to keep your pants clean.