Fall From Grace
FALL FROM GRACE
As I stepped through corn snow on the Mountaineer's Route coming off the summit of Mt. Whitney my foot slipped and I began sliding down the 300' icy face toward a rocky ledge above a 1000' drop below. I looked up as I slid down, my speed increasing, and saw my climbing partners gasping in horror. I dug my elbows into the crumbly snow without slowing down. As soon as I reached the ledge my legs plunged into a hole filled with softer snow and I came to a stop.
These were the days of my intentional submersion in raw nature and mindful steps toward a life off the beaten path. I have since taken more careful steps along the way by managing my risks, for example, not jumping into rigorous exploits if I'm still recovering from a knee injury. We all have to learn to manage our risks-especially if we're parents and especially now in this time of upheaval and change. Yet this should not stop us from standing up for what we believe in. My passion is as strong as ever to explore, experience, and photograph natural places to raise awareness about their importance in our lives.