LOCALadk Magazine

Winter 2018 LOCALadk Magazine 53 LOCALadk experience blew my mind. I was ner vous because I had never been so up high before —we were almost near the top of the ski jump! Shortly after starting, however, I shifted my focus. Our instructors provided us with valuable mental tools for be- friending and trusting our crampons and ice axes. After that, I felt comfortable, and soon forgot how high on up on the ski jump I was. In fact, I enjoyed being up there and taking in the incredible view. We practiced walking up, down, and sideways, as well as falling facedown, faceup, and sideways. Some of the participants were first-timers to winter moun- taineering, just like me. Others were more advanced, or at the expert level, as they had attend- ed the Winter School before. The skills gap eventually closed, however, thanks to the dedication and quality of our instructors. The next day, some participants who were in the backpacking group went on a trip. Those who were in the Combo and Day Hike sections, includ- ing myself, gathered in front of the Loj for a "shakedown" hike to Mount Jo. The conditions on Mount Jo were per- fect for us to practice using our cram- pons and ice axes. The sun was shining, the air was cold, and some of the trails were icy. I was the only woman (and first-time winter mountaineer) in a group of what seemed to be more experienced male par- ticipants. My lack of self-esteem kicked in. During our first encounter with slipper y looking upward terrain, I stopped, unable to trust the crampons on my feet and the ice axe in my hand. The instructors explained that it was an automatic reaction of our minds to feel fear, and of our bodies to tr y and save ourselves from what is perceived as unsafe. So, in order to prepare myself, I watched the other mem- bers of my group take turns, carefully noticing how they handled the climb, as well as listening to what my instructors said and did. Finally, I took my turn. One of the instructors stayed behind me, but out of my way, to ensure I was safe. Then I kicked my crampons into the slick trail and felt them stick. My ice axe helped pull my body upward as I used it to reach up and hold on, as I moved my crampon-equipped feet up and for ward. My fear and ner vousness was immediately replaced by a sense of purpose. I stayed focused and made it successfully up that trail. That led me to feel more at ease get- ting through all the rest of the trails to the summit. I pleasantly surprised myself, but was also embarrassed. During the summer, I could easily sum- mit the 2,876' Mount Jo with its as- cent of 700'. While we were climbing I noticed other hikers, who were not part of our program, with insufficient equipment for the terrain that day. Some hikers only wore hiking boots, some with only micro spikes, in areas where crampons were needed. Most did not have ice axes. All of them found it difficult to hike up the mountain in winter conditions. Some wisely decided to return to the Loj to get better equipment. On the first day of the program I realized the importance of making the right decisions regarding climbing in winter. Yes, ever yone can watch YouTube videos or practice with

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