I am in full planning mode for my climb in 2026. Yes, friends, I have PLANS! All subject to change of course. The Lord is in control, not me. But Lord willing, I would love to do one last climb (maybe ever!) before I hang up my mountaineering boots.
When I say "planning," what I mean is making a list of possible climbs. I do not mean planning all the boring things like flights and hotels and mountain guides and budgets and meal plans. Those have their place. But right now, no sirree, it's not about the boring stuff. It's time for the BD (Big Decision). Here's what I've got so far:
1. The Allalinhorn in Switzerland.
Yep, we're talking Switzerland again. I mean, what is it with this country? It's roughly the size of New Jersey, so why should it hold such a giant place in my heart? It's gotta be the mountains. Mountain climbing is a Swiss national obsession. Come peak season for hiking (June to September) and the mountain trails are busier than Times Square on New Year's Eve. "The hills are alive," as they say. And here I'm going to make a confession. I don't think I can climb the Allalinhorn. At least not without a good professional mountain guide. Even then, it's going to be iffy. I thought the Riffelhorn was tough last year. That's a cakewalk in comparison. But it's exactly the kind of challenge I like.
2. The Middle Teton in Wyoming.
When we lived in SoCal we often vacationed in the states of Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona. You know, all the national parks. The Teton range is the most magnificent chains of peaks I've ever seen. And the climb to the summit of the Middle Peak via the Southwest Couloir looks like a great challenge. Lots of Youtubers have posted on this one. I've watched them all I think. Again, I'd need a guide and lots of stamina (it's 13 miles round trip with 6,500 feet of elevation gain).
3. Longs Peak in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
The hike is listed as "strenuous-difficult." I've already done two 14ers in the Rockies, but that doesn't mean much. Longs is considered one of the most "infamous" mountains in Colorado. The climb is just under 15 miles in length. They say it's a really difficult climb as you scramble up a rock face. "It is terrifying" say many. Shades of my Riffelhorn experience. I'm not lying when I tell you I almost turned around on the Riffelhorn last summer. No climb is ever easy for me, but that was especially difficult.
Like any good climber, it's my job to analyze every little thing to find out which climb best suits my (limited) abilities and fitness level. It's a climb I'd have to be completely committed to as a fitness challenge. You all know I'm not afraid of a good challenge, so bring it on. But just what the "it " is remains to be seen. At the same time, I can feel myself getting stronger the more I work out. So if you're wondering why I work so hard at upper body strength, it should be pretty obvious to you by now. So many people climb the 14ers in Colorado that it almost becomes "normalized" -- no big deal. But to this 73 year old (who will be 74 when he climbs this summer), there's nothing "no-big-dealish" about any of these adventures. Much like running a marathon, it's something only a small portion of the population actually does. Isn't it easier to sit on our living room couches and make no attempt to move out of our comfort zones? Easier yes, but easy is not the point. I so badly want my kids and grandkids to learn that lesson. Maybe I can be an example to them of that spirit. And if I can combine the climb with another fundraiser for UNC Cancer Hospital, so much the better.
Stay tuned ....