What are some of the "firsts" in your life that you'll never forget? First pet? First bike ride? First girlfriend? First kiss? First day of college? First full-time job? First marathon? First child? First book published? First visit to Europe? First conversation in a foreign language? First big risk you took? Firsts are so meaningful. Somehow they fundamentally reshape how our brains store memories. You sense, "This is the beginning of something great."
Here's the Breithorn near Zermatt in Switzerland.
It was the first 4,000-meter peak I ever climbed. Many aspiring alpiners choose it as their first summit at this height. Guides call it a relatively "easy" climb. But it's no casual walk. This is a true glacier route and a mountain guide is essential. Its name suits it perfectly. "Breit" means "broad" in German, and the Breithorn extends for more than 2 kilometers, with several summits along its crest. It's so beautiful up there.
If the Lord wills, I hope to climb another 4,000-er this summer. Climbing the Alps is such a magical experience because it seamlessly blends raw, glacier-carved majesty with centuries of rich culture. The peaks just absolutely soar skyward above the valley floors.
As one famous French alpinist noted, climbing the Alps is ultimately about the joy of discovery, seeing beyond the horizon, and the camaraderie of your mountain guide.
What new firsts are you eagerly anticipating this summer?