20 miles. 13 hours. 4500 feet in elevation. Half Dome.
I love to hike. I’m scared of heights.
Before I had kids I loved heights! I loved roller coasters. Montezuma’s Revenge at Knott’s Berry Farm was my favorite. I was going to be the “Cool Mom” who would ride all the roller coasters with my kids. When I turned 18 I voluntarily jumped out of a plane! I went skydiving, jumping out of a plane from 10,000 feet in the air.
Then I had kids. Everything changed. I remember clearly, one day, going up a glass elevator, looking out at what I thought would be a really cool view, when my body told me to “move back!” Ugh. That feeling in my stomach. What happened to me? I could not longer tolerate heights.
So, when I decided that 2016 would be the year to hike Half Dome in Yosemite, I knew I had a major challenge at hand. The CABLES.
Hiking for 20 miles. I could do it. Getting up at 4 in the morning—questionable—but I could do it. The CABLES, a vertical ascent and descent that is mind blowing? Not sure. I knew that success would require mind over matter. I would have to look down at my feet, keep my eyes ahead on the person in front of me, but NOT LOOK DOWN.
We made it to Sub Dome after several amazing rushing waterfalls, the mist trail, sand, a flat wilderness trail, redwoods and more. The sub dome loomed ahead. The white rock stairs zig-zagged at a frightening height. I reminded myself of God’s command to the Israelites: “Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, to not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” To which I added….even Half Dome! Right about then one of my friends began to panic as the reality of going up required that we must also come down. My own fear creeping up on me, I turned from myself and focused my attention on her. I knew she could do it. I wanted her to do it. I began talking her through each step. “You can do it. Just one step at a time. You’ve got this. You are doing great. Don’t look down. Keep looking at your feet.”
Unknowingly, as I spoke to her, I was talking myself through my own apprehension.
We successfully made it up Sub Dome and stared at what looked like tiny ants in a straight line, making their way up the vertical ascent to the top of Half Dome. Again, unsure that we could do this, the fear of heights began to creep in. Sure, I could go UP, but could I come DOWN? How could I possibly come descend without looking down onto the valley floor, a mere 4,500 feet away??
I put on my gloves to help me grip the cables on either side. There was a major back up of people going up and coming down, sharing the two cables. Ready to go, the encouraging words continued to flow. We were going to do this together. One step at a time, one gloved hand at a time. One plank at a time.
I was ready to make my ascent and was frustrated by the traffic on the side of the Dome. I was seriously hanging off the side of the rock. FEAR. Would I give in and panic, or would I continue to focus on my friend and root her on. “You’ve got this. You are doing great.” Slowly, we pulled our body weight up the side of the rock for 600 feet.
Finally, one last pull and arriving at the top….SWEET VICTORY! Glorious view, delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich, hugs and celebration with friends. Calling my 7 year old daughter from incredible heights. AMAZING.
Certainly the challenge was over, right? Not so much. You see, we still had to come down. The height could be overwhelming. This time my feet slipped from one plank to the next as my gloved hands led me backwards 600 feet on a vertical rock. Reminded by a fellow hiker, “If we slipped, we would surely die.” Well thanks for that reminder, Sir.
Continuing to encourage and speak to my friend courage and strength, I received the blessing of that confidence. We made it off the cables and back to the steep steps of the slippery white rock steps of the Sub Dome. I slipped and fell once, followed by a couple other close calls.
Sore toes. Exhaustion. Thirst. Sunburn. Ready. To. Be. Done.
Perhaps the hardest part was the long trek back after feeling so accomplished after reaching our goal.
I learned a lot.
I learned that training pays off. Being fit was imperative.
Being prepared was key. I ran out of water on the way back. Thank you Greg for making Shawna bring a filter for the water source!
I learned that prayer and God’s Word is empowering.
I learned that the positive encouragement of a friend, and keeping your eyes on others and off of yourself, both have incredible power.
So, thank you to my dear friends for taking on this crazy idea of mine, joining me on this journey to the top and on the journey called life. Thank you God for your unending faithfulness and the power of your Word and prayer.
And if you are struggling with fear, “what ifs” or just need encouragement on the journey, reach out to me. I’m here to walk you through it. Because the reality is, when I encourage YOU, I am receiving the BLESSING.
