STRAIGHT UP THE MOUNTAIN

I lived in Vail, Colorado for four of the most incredible years of my life. I was the Activity Director of a private club attached to the ginormous Vail Resorts.  So many activities for the members, yet the snowshoe hike always proved the most popular.  A group of us would hike up Bachelor Gulch Mountain to Zach's Cabin for dinner, hopefully the full moon lighting the way.

One night things went awry.  There was a Marine in the group.  He decided to hell with the trail, he was headed straight up. The quickest route. That made the most sense.  There was wine and a warm fire waiting at the cabin.  Now, if you have ever hiked a snow covered mountain, you know that going straight up a blue slope is near impossible for most.  Half my group started to follow him and the other half was lagging behind.  Everyone gasping for air, me included.  Everyone, except the Marine of course.  My nerves started to tingle.  My blood pressure rising. The group was breaking apart. Dark night. Steep, snowy mountain. Not good.  I had to call for back-up. Forty minutes and six snowmobiles later there were some very exhausted hikers, but everyone made it to the cabin. Once I peeled off my layers and brushed off the snow I was extremely angry pissed. Blood boiling. I hunt down the marine and give him a piece of my mind. His reply: "Wanna go out?" I'm sorry WTF? Is he serious?!? All I could do was walk away.  It would have been unprofessional to smack him.

He stalked called me for a few weeks and I finally agreed to go out with him. We decided for our first date it was only appropriate to take a snowshoe hike, him promising it would not be straight up. He vowed to follow my lead.  So, we hiked and drank wine and ended up at the cabin where we drank more wine and talked for hours by the fire.  After dinner we noodled with the idea of sliding down the mountain on our butts, but in the end we decided it wise to take the Snowcat down. No need to call in the snowmobiles tonight.

The following month, another snowshoe hike.  This time I lit up the trail with bright green glow sticks. Follow the sticks I told my hikers as I scanned the crowd.  The Marine was back. I give him my best "you better follow the sticks" glare.  He smiled back at me. He didn't follow the sticks. And neither did a handful of others. What is up with men and their egos? Once again I call in the snowmobiles to round everyone up and get them to the cabin.

And that is how the adventure has continued on ever since. It has been an incredible journey and although difficult at times, I could not imagine life without the crazy Marine. He is always seeking out the next mountain to climb and never even hesitates to take it head on.

The mountain we are headed up at the moment is getting a lot of attention. It all started with an article he wrote for Ranger Up and snowballed into Alchemist Management. I am so incredibly proud of what he has accomplished so far and yet it is only the beginning.  He continues to amaze me everyday.

a few of the boys

So, we are headed up this very steep mountain. Together. And no matter what lies ahead, he will always be that crazy, hardheaded, punk ass Marine I met on the mountain one dark night eight years ago to me.
~SOS~