The Ascend Letter

No Letter. Gone to the Mountains.

I was raised by a free spirited adventurous mother. While I usually attribute my athleticism to my father, I think my mother doesn't get enough credit for playing her part. I mean, she used to sew up the middle of her dress at school so they were pants and she could go play football with the boys at recess.

I remember her waking me up at 4 am to go to spinning classes with her at the Orem Rec center. Then every weekend, she was on the mountain. Whether it was a simple family hike or backpacking spending nights under a tarp and getting caught in avalanches (stories for another time), she lived for being outdoors exploring God's marvelous creation.

When I was 15, she ventured to hike Everest base camp. On the journey, the plane crashed and we lost a mother. I bring this up simply because 6 months before that, I had the privilege of hiking Kings Peak with her. It was the last time I ever went backpacking. Until this weekend.

There will be no letter this week as I will be backpacking Kings Peak. My first trip back will be the very mountain I spent my last trip with my mom. Excitement is an understatement.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve people doing what I love. And while starting my own company gets hectic and time consuming, I am looking forward to reconnecting with a pastime filled with so many wonderful memories. My ask is for everyone to take a small moment this weekend and remind yourselves what you are grateful for. Tell a loved one what they mean to you. Moments can sometimes slip us by and quickly become the cherished memories we desperately hold on to.