29029 Everesting: Me vs Me at Stratton Mountain
On October 22, 2022, I completed 29029 Everesting at Stratton, Vermont. What does that mean? I climbed 29,029 vertical feet over 17 ascents of Stratton Mountain, which is equivalent to the height of Mount Everest. You have 36 hours to reach the summit (complete 17 ascents) of Mount Everest. This is a challenge that requires relentless forward movement, all day, through the night, and a commitment to keep going no matter how hard it gets.
If you’re wondering, why would I do something like this, I get it. For me, physical challenges help me connect to myself. When I’m in the thick of it, the outside noise fades away, and it’s just me and my goal. That singular focus over 36 hours brings clarity in all areas of my life. Plus, it pushes me so far outside of my comfort zone physically and mentally, it’s impossible for the experience not to be transformative.
This kind of challenge is particularly tough for me because I have extensive nerve damage in my left leg, where I can’t feel my leg from my knee to my hip, and more often than not, I experience sharp pains and a heaviness that permeates my entire leg. I go into challenges like this knowing that I will struggle and experience tremendous pain and discomfort, but I do it anyway. I do it because I can.
When I was 16, I got shot, and I almost died. The bullet went into my stomach and exited my lower back right beside my spine. I woke up and was paralyzed from the waist down, and initially, doctors were unsure what would be permanent damage. Within a few days, I got feeling back in my right leg, but it took more than a year to get any feeling back in my left leg. To this day, I don’t have full-feeling in my left leg, but I can walk. And I can climb. 29029 is a chance for me to push myself to do what my body can do, which is truly special for me since at one point in my life, I didn’t know if these things wouldn’t be possible for me.
The 29029 Everesting event kicks off at 6 am on Friday morning, and a community of 250 people complete the first ascent together. This year, Colin O’Brady hyped up the start line, and we ascended together as a sea of headlamps. As we neared the summit, the sun was rising and energy was high. It was steep. It was muddy, and breathtaking beauty surrounded us.
The 29029 community is truly special. There are volunteers, many of which are alumni, cheering you on and helping you fuel at the aid stations. The people you climb alongside are testing and pushing themselves, and as you climb together you get to know each other. You struggle together and encourage each other, and it is pure magic.
Anyone that has done a 29029 Everesting event knows that the two sweetest sounds on the mountain are cowbell and Colleen Rue. At Stratton, volunteers clang the cowbell at the mid mountain aid station and at the summit. When you hear them, you know you’re SO CLOSE to being halfway done with an ascent or you have another one in the bag.
No telling of 29029 tales would be complete without mentioning Colleen Rue. She is the voice of the mountain, the MC of the event, and truly, she is the heart and soul of 29029 Everesting. From arrival day, through 36 hours of climbing, and the closing of the event, she gets to know every person that climbs that mountain, and she cares so deeply about everyone’s success. When you get off the gondola at the base of the mountain, she greets you over the mic, helps you brand your board, and holds space for whatever you need.
Colleen holds the stories of the people on that mountain with so much compassion and love. She looks at you and truly sees you. If you need a pick-me-up, she will find a way to poke fun. If you look like you’re going to fall over, she makes food and hydration non-negotiable. If you need to cry, she wraps her arms around you and holds you while you let it out. Colleen reminds you of the goals you set for yourself on that mountain and lovingly pushes you to reach them. One of the greatest gifts of the 29029 weekend is experiencing her support and encouragement.
My first ascent took me about 50 minutes. My last ascent took me 75 minutes. My hardest, coldest, overnight ascents took approximately 85 minutes. The wind was whipping so hard, the gondola was shut down until conditions calmed. It was cold, but the weather didn't change the objective. For success, it’s crucial to take quitting off the table. Once you do that, the goal always outweighs the conditions. Continuing on isn’t negotiable, it’s just what you do.
This is the first time I’ve ever had family at the finish line of an endurance event. My mom, aunt, and cousin were all waiting at the summit and rode the gondola back to the base several times over the weekend. My mom just started chemo the week before this event, so it was pretty special to have her there, especially as I finished.
Event Stats:
Vertical Feet Gained Per Hike: 1750 feet
Miles Per Hike: 1.35
# hikes to Everest: 17
Total miles to Everest: 22.4
65% of participants reached Everest
This is my second 29029 Everesting event. My first was at Snowbasin, Utah in 2021, where I also reached Everest, though I struggled even more that first time. Once you experience what’s possible, it’s impossible to look back.
Next year, I hope to take on Sun Valley, ID and Jackson, WY! Join me on the mountain!
Take action now: Sign up for something today that is different, new, and out of your comfort zone. Seriously. TODAY. Bonus points if it’s a physical challenge that you fear you won’t be able to complete. Then, go prove to yourself that you can!
