Animal Spirit

"I have heard people tell me that at times they wish to get in touch with the animal spirit. I will tell you this about the animal spirit: it will tear you in two as quickly as it will bring you wholeness. It is not a thing of value or judgement. It is a thing of purity, and it will not take issue with either death or ecstasy." - Craig Childs

     These are photos from a traverse of nine peaks in the La Platas. It was supposed to be ten peaks, but quite honestly I was stupid and took too little water. I was just ready to be done, and I saw no reason to torture myself any longer. Parts of the traverse were fun. Much of it was not. One of those things that looked good on the map, bit in reality was a big pile of crappy scree. I'm glad I did it, but I don't think I'll repeat this one.
     I've tried numerous times to write something about my experience at this year's Hardrock. I don't know what to say. I tried the blow by blow race report, but I don't possess the skills to make it interesting. I know that I have never pushed so hard for so long. The support from family and friends was overwhelming. It was truly a team effort. To boil it down to one word it is LOVE. Love of the mountains, my pacers, support crew, and the better version of myself that I get a glimpse of.  I'm still struggling to assimilate those lessons into the rest of life, but I'm just a little closer.