$1,000 for boots? My Ecuador company offers free rentals, but I'm terrified of frostbite and training with strange gear. Here’s a candid analysis of where the side-hustle budget should really go. Help me decide!

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.

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 two was long and grueling: nearly eight hours of hiking, steep ridges, new climates, and plenty of laughs with guides and strangers alike. By the time we reached Shira Camp, my nails were full of dirt, my head was throbbing, and the stars stretched endlessly above.

Day one on Kilimanjaro was anything but glamorous: bus breakdowns, bracelet scams, rain showers, and a whole lot of peeing. But between the chaos and the laughter, we finally stepped onto the trail and took our first real steps toward the summit.