Leif Whittaker
Just fifty more steps and three hundred more breaths and I'm standing above everything. I remove my oxygen mask and stare out at the world beneath me, taking it all in.
"Congratulations, Leif! You're on the top of the world!"
Summiting Mount Everest led to a moment of awe I will remember forever. It was a moment where part of me felt like I could accomplish anything I set my mind to, but the overwhelming emotion I felt wasn't pride or a sense of power. It was gratitude to the mountain and everyone and everything who helped me get to this moment.
Adventure is an important part of a life well lived. It's about getting out of your comfort zone and taking a few risks because this is how we learn and grow as people. Mountains have a way of teaching you about yourself. Part of the mountain stays with you, and you leave part of yourself behind.
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