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Why I Climb: Summit for Someone

7/27/2011

12 Comments

 
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My second fourteener in a day, Mt Torrey
With moving and grad school, my Summit for Someone climb has been a bit of a moving target. As of this week though, it's been nailed down. This weekend I'll be climbing the Grand Teton with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides.

I thought this would be a good time to finish my "Why I climb" post.

The path of my life over the past year and a half that I've been preparing to do a Summit for Someone climb almost answers the question for me: Why do I climb?
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Training hikes are beautiful in Colorado
I am a teacher.

For a while it was in a classroom, then for the government, and now in the outdoors. I worked with public school students in several urban areas: The DC metro, Tampa FL, Allentown, PA... Different latitudes, same problems: Students come in and out of my class from halfway houses, homeless shelters, and rehab programs, never knowing the potential they were wasting. The work was thankless, but necessary. I slept little and worked lots, driven by the knowledge that what I was preparing for the next day had the potential to change a life. I was paid to teach science, but I also taught confidence, perspective, coping mechanisms, self esteem, and vision. I considered myself a success if my students walked away as better decision makers, with a clear vision that their future could be whatever they wanted it to be.

In 2009 I entered the "What's Your Everest?" contest sponsored by Champion Hanes Brands. In my entry I talked about my love of climbing and my chronic fear of heights. If I won I'd have the resources to travel and climb in exposed places to help me get over my fear. It wasn't just heights that held me back though. Add a fear of organized exercise, and more seriously, of failure and isolation, and you'll have a more accurate picture of where my head was.

I also said I wanted to use the money to help someone besides myself. I talked about my students and their daily struggle to just survive. I talked about how playing in the outdoors had shaped my childhood, and how every kid should get that chance. That's where Big City Mountaineers came in. If I won, the bulk of the money would be donated through a Summit for Someone climb that would give me time way up high.


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Rockin the shades
I also said I wanted to use the money to help someone besides myself. I talked about my students and their daily struggle to just survive. I talked about how playing in the outdoors had shaped my childhood, and how every kid should get that chance. That's where Big City Mountaineers came in. If I won, the bulk of the money would be donated through a Summit for Someone climb that would give me time way up high.

Well I did. Win, that is. $10,000. Ten THOUSAND dollars. That's not the kind of thing that happens to a REAL person, it always happens to someone else. I took a screen capture the day it hit my bank account. I've never had that much "extra" cash just sitting around. The presence of that money opened up a world of possibilities to me. I was under no obligation to do what I said I'd do with it. I could go to Europe. I could buy an RV and travel, put a down payment on a house or buy clothes somewhere other than Target. I knew that wouldn't satisfy me though. The time I've been happiest are the times I've been giving, and not focused on myself. Besides, how often do you have the chance to give away $10,000? This might be my only chance.

So I gave it to the kids. MY kids. My students may not be the ones on the next BCM trip, but they might be there some day.


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Training in VA can be pretty too...
I started training immediately, knowing I had a long way to go both mentally and physically. I ran, took a mountaineering course, carried extra gear and cross trained. The fear of failure and isolation appeared often. I'm short and small. Being slow and the last one left behind the group made me feel like I wasn't good enough. Training hikes alone left me discouraged. I compared myself to others constantly, setting impossibly high goals and then beating myself up when I didn't meet them. There came a point where I knew if I continued thinking this way, I'd be beaten before the climb even started. Much like my former students, my beliefs and fears were holding me back. I needed a new set of beliefs about myself if I was to succeed.

I am strong. I am capable. I am valuable. I am paying a freaking guide! I won't be left behind!

Since then I've done my first 14ers, hiked thousands of feet, and feel confident that this Saturday when I start my climb, I'll kick ass.

I climb for myself and for my kids. For what we are and what we have the potential to be.

**To my friends and family, who donated purely to show me moral support. Many of you have given your time and attention, listening to my mini-meltdowns and changing plans. Thank you so much for being there. With your donations I was able to go above and beyond for the Big City Mountaineers cause. They also have played a huge role in keeping me motivated and focused. I've been alone a bunch lately, but I've never felt alone. Thank you for playing a part in this big time in my life. I didn't realize how much of an impact something like a dollar donation would have. There really is something to putting your money where your mouth is. **

Any encouraging comments left below will be carried to the top, and read late at night in my tent while I'm shivering with cold. :) (Hint hint)

12 Comments
josh link
7/27/2011 04:01:18 pm

Oh snap! That snuck right up. It doesn't sound like you're going to need any of it, but still... good luck! I'm sure you're going to rock out. Take lots of pictures and share when you get back!

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Joseph
7/28/2011 12:33:00 am

I think it's really fantastic what your doing! Keep on climbing for you and for others!!

"It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." -Sir Edmund Hillary

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Chicks Climbing link
7/28/2011 12:43:20 am

Lovely post Aleya, your honesty and transparency in sharing your journey is really inspiring. And, I'm sure you will do awesome this weekend! Good luck!!!

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SuzRocks link
7/28/2011 12:52:47 am

You can do it!!!! What an awesome opportunity- you are going to do great. If you can hike up the 14ers you can hike up and climb the Grand too. I promise! It's going to awesome- I can't wait to hear about it.

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Amy C link
7/28/2011 02:10:30 am

Whoa! And here I thought it was the following weekend. That came fast, my friend!!

I am so excited for you. What a lovely post and beautiful inspiration to keep going even when things are tough. To shift when we need to and not let our heads get in the way of our path. To believe and have faith in ourselves.

Congratulations on all the work you've done and continue to do. You are indeed strong, capable and valuable. Good luck and HAVE FUN!!! :0)

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Rockgrrl link
7/28/2011 10:21:41 am

Congratulations are in order, for this climb and all the others that have led to it. Have fun!

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Aunt Lisa
7/28/2011 02:05:33 pm

I like how you step back and end up taking your own advice. :) You ARE strong, and capable, and valuable. I hope all that you give comes back to you tenfold. You are awesome!

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Janelle link
7/28/2011 09:47:33 pm

Aleya, you continue to inspire me! You are doing something I don't think I could ever do. I think my main fear would be of falling since I'm so clumsy. You make it look so fun and exciting, it makes me want to try, too!

Good luck and have a fabulous climb.

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krysia link
8/1/2011 12:21:34 pm

This is so inspiring! Thanks for sharing the story.

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Mom Littleton
8/2/2011 01:32:49 pm

I have watched you for many years, and your drive and motivation is inspirational. I've always thought "you had what it takes" to achieve many accomplishments in this life. I am thankful God gave you to us, and I can't wait to hear all your stories when you come back - safely! Love you!!!

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Anna lea
8/4/2011 03:24:06 pm

Your way cooler than any teacher I know!!! I know your finished, but I'm sure you kicked mountain ass. Love u.

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Brian
8/12/2011 02:34:47 am

Great story. You have a fantastic skill for conveying your thoughts through your words. Looks like you are pretty skilled in the mountains too. I too did a SFS climb of Shasta in 2010 but we were deterred from the summit by poor conditions. I went back in May and knocked it out with my friends. Is that VA photo on Old Rag? I love that mountain and climb it several times a year! Way to go on Grand Teton. Your kids are lucky to have a teacher like you.

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