Endless Ascent Ends

I'm back home, sitting at a desk and trying to type with (seriously) blisters on my hands and a fingernail on my right hand that protests every time I use it to hit a key... Who gets blisters on their hands ice climbing? I've never heard of it before, and would not have thought it possible...

But the 24-hour push is done. Over the next few days I'm going to write more about different portions of the climb, from the nutrition successes and failures to the physical damage to the training and so on. There's just too much to put into one post, and I had a lot of time to think about things while doing the climb...

The main thing I'm feeling this morning is that I was incredibly lucky to be involved with such a fantastic group of people. Twenty three belayers, three "team managers," the dZi, the hundreds of people who showed up in small or large groups to cheer and keep me moving, so much incredibly positive energy from so many people. Today there is just no room for anything but an incredible sense of appreciation for everyone who was even in the smallest way involved with the Endless Ascent. What I'm going to remember most about the whole experience is not how much ice I climbed (I'm actually not at all sure about that number, lots of different route height guesses, comedy), how much it all hurt, but how lucky I am to be part of the community of people who came together for the dZi and the climb. It was a swirling mix of enthusiasm, support, shared love for the Ouray Ice Park, and excitement. I am deeply humbled and thankful for the experience, it will effect me for the rest of my life.

Here's a fun video clip from the Endless Ascent, thanks Yuieno!! And some nice pictures...

More later, my finger has had it with typing and it's time for another liter of water and another nap. Thanks, thanks, and THANKS!