| Peak | Mt Baldy |
|---|---|
| Group | N/A |
| Trailhead | Manker Flats |
10 years ago I came across one the hardest hikes of my life. I was only 13 and in my scouting prime. This hike was not only physically challenging for me at the time but it had a heavy toll on me emotionally as well. I couldn’t at the time understand why anyone would put themselves through this pain. Summiting broke me. It took the support of the adult leaders and my fellow scouts in order to even move another muscle. I was 13 and I had no one to impress or anything to prove; I just liked being outside. After several emotional breakdowns, I made it to the top. But the damage was already done. For the next 10 years I never wanted to attempt Mt. Baldy again. I had done it once. I had suffered through it. I never wanted to see that mountain again. That is, until this year. When I came across the Six Pack of Peak Challenge I knew that it was time to face Mt. Baldy again. I needed to erase that fear that was created so long ago. I needed to conquer Mt. Baldy and not have it conquered me. I needed to leave feeling like I left it all at the summit and that by reliving this childhood nightmare I would become stronger and even more mentally equipped to finish this intense challenge. I am happy to say that I made it up this beast without the slightest instinct to give up and when I came off of that mountain I knew I had made new amazing memories to take home and had finally vanquished a 10 year fear.
