The Freedom of the Mountains and Giving Back.

Why do I Climb?  

The shortest answer to "why I climb" is when I'm in the mountains, and climbing is when I feel the most alive and free. It is when I feel like I'm the closest to my true self. It’s as if I feel like I’m at home. I’ve not experienced anything else like the power and draw of the mountains. They are beautiful, powerful, and intimidating all at once. Their presence draws excitement and anxiety out of me when I stand in their company.  

My first climb and summit attempt (Mt. Shasta, CA) in 2016 set in motion what would become an annual (not nearly enough) event out to the Pacific Northwest. Often, I could tell in my mind and body that the legendary Jon Muir saying "that mountains are calling, and I must go" was undoubtedly true. Mentally, I needed the mountains to decompress, relax, detach from the world, think, and challenge myself. It usually takes me a day or two to get into "mountain mode," which means I'm not thinking about life or work, my climbing legs are under me, and I start to get into the flow, as they say. There is something powerful about being detached from the world and singularly focused on a single event in time without all the other distractions of life. It is the only place I've found where I can almost "turn off" my brain and stay in the moment. During daily work life, my mind and brain go a hundred different ways, and after a few days in the mountains, my mind feels at rest and peace.  

There is plenty of thinking and a physical challenge aspect that goes along with it. I like to say that I go to the mountains carrying all the weight of things that are weighing on my mind, and I "leave" on the mountain what I no longer want in my life and come back with a renewed focus on life, family, business, relationship, and health. The physical aspect or technical aspect (depending on the mountain) always serves as a needed challenge for me. That internal drive to continue to push me physically and mentally and not get complacent drives me and gives me a goal to strive for on each climb. The sense of accomplishment at a summit (assuming the mountain allows it) is difficult to describe yet easy to feel. I feel a powerful sense of accomplishment, while I also feel so small. Looking out across the landscape makes me realize how small we are in the world. It is also when I think “there has to be something bigger than “us” "in this universe. I don't know what it is, yet I feel it when I'm out in the wilderness. I wish everyone could see it and feel it.  

I've not found that feeling or experience anywhere else, which is why I climb mountains. To free my mind and find out more about myself and how I can be a better version of me after each experience.

Why am I doing a fundraiser for the NRECA International Fund? 

The NRECA International's mission is to power communities and empower people to improve their quality of life. Since 1962, NRECA International has empowered more than 160 million people worldwide to improve their quality of life by providing them access to safe, reliable and affordable electricity.

Five values I strive to adhere to are family happiness, helping others, relationships, adventure, and leadership. Combining my values of adventure and helping others to raise funds for others strikes a perfect moment for me.  

After retiring from the Army, I was fortunate to land with LDR Leadership and work extensively with rural electric cooperatives and the NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association). Admittedly, I was one of those people who grew up just expecting electricity and only truly "appreciated" it when the power went out! These experiences changed my view and appreciation for both the men and women who keep the lights on and how fortunate we are in this country are to live with and expect power.

Electric cooperatives also support the NRECA International team with volunteer linemen who join the team in remote parts of the country to establish power for families who have never experienced that. I can't imagine what it would be like to have electricity for the first time and realize how life-changing it will be for them from that day forward. I can combine so much of what I do with my values and work with a great cause, and it was an easy decision to raise money for this fund. If interested in supporting this climb, please visit here: Climb For A Cause – LDR (ldrleadership.com) - if the webpage sticks, please refresh the page.