A reminder of what humans can do. And a recommitment to the reason I did this in the first place.

1. My first hike was 65 miles long. Up the side of a
mountain.

2. A year ago, I climbed Kilimanjaro –19,341 feet. I
learned some things.

3. I learned how much other people matter. Trust your
guides, believe in your partners.

4. I learned how important water is. 4 liters a day will
keep you alive, hiking through a pouring rainforest
can be… interesting.

5. I remembered how to be an animal. Turning off the
brain can be liberating.

6. I learned how to climb a mountain. Slowly - putting
one foot in front of another.

7. I learned what birds already know. Nothing else
lives above 13,000 feet.

8. I learned to appreciate details. A bowl of warm
wash water in a hailstorm can keep you walking for
a long time.

9. I learned that I can change at every waypoint.
Human, dancer, dreamer, conservationist,
whatever.

10. I learned that I’m strong. Coming from farm stock
is a good thing.

11. I learned that everything heals. Blisters, spider
bites, broken noses.

12. I learned a little bit of Swahili. And what a beautiful
language it is.

13. I learned that love shows up everywhere. It
sometimes comes in the form of rocks and oxygen
tanks.

14. I learned that humans are incredible. Wisdom
doesn’t look how you think.

15. I learned some monkeys like digging up potatoes.

16. I learned that there are cold deserts.

17. I learned about ancient glacial lakes. That won’t be
there in 50 years.

18. I learned that I am not very good at indiegogo
fundraising. But that there is ALWAYS time to
learn…anything.

19. I climbed to raise money for an African rhino
sanctuary. Now is a chance to remember and
honor that commitment.

21. I believe in living. Here are some people saving
different endangered animal species:
climbforconservation.org | Mkomozi Sanctuary

22. A year ago, I went for my first hike. I haven’t been
hiking since.

23. But if you have a mountain in mind, let me know.
I’m game.

24. Thanks!