“You can do it!’, “I’m so proud of you!” I found myself saying over and over again as my mom, a sea-level native, took a step toward the summit of Cinnamon Mountain. My mom visited Colorado for the couple of weeks surrounding our wedding date. She had visited many times before but this time she had decided or, more like agreed, to hike a mountain. Hiking mountains is not necessarily an easy task for anyone but for someone not acclimated to altitude, who travelled from sea-level, and has never hiked a mountain let alone many trails, this was a rather large feat. And I was so overcome by pure excitement for this adventure that I didn’t put much consideration into anything but the experience and having enough water of course.
Now we chose the smallest mountain I know of in our valley which still happens to stand over 12,000ft but has a gradual incline up to the peak and no boulders to climb over. There are old mining roads that take you just beyond 11,000ft where you can then begin the hike. My mom was in good spirits as we began walking along the trail immersed in the lush green landscape of the rocky mountains. Though it wasn’t long before she noticed the thinning air and shortness of breathe.
We stopped every once in a while but not nearly as many times as I expected we would need too. This is where things get funny. The higher we got the more panicked my mom became it was no longer a scene from the sound of music. She couldn’t believe people did this for fun (haha) and she said she would never do it again. At this point her goal was to get up and down that mountain as quickly as possible not stopping to take in the view or admire her effort. The fear she was experiencing was familiar as I too shut down on the first mountain I had climbed. I actually told my husband to call a helicopter because I wasn’t going to move but we will save that story for another day.
We lost the trail at a point and started ‘bushwhacking’ which nearly sent my mom over the edge, literally and figuratively. We never reconnected with the trail so instead of the gradual incline we told her about, we went directly up the mountain toward the summit. Not only was it steep but the ground was covered in unstable shale and very loose dirt. There were also beautiful and fragrant wildflowers blanketing this section of the mountain but no amount of beauty or floral scent was going to lure my mom to stop and smell the flowers.
I was moved to tears by the flow of emotions through witnessing my moms strength and perseverance even as she struggled. My mom was moved to tears by the intensity of the challenge and her growing fear. Here we were crying on the side of a mountain, concerned hikers started to walk our way but my mom didn’t want anyone to approach us while she was having a moment. Truly a sight to see! Not your typical sight when in the backcountry of Colorado haha!
As you can see above she was not thrilled to reach the peak, at least not visibly. She didn’t like me very much at that moment nor did she feel any type of satisfaction (yet). She wanted to get to the final destination, which was the car at the bottom of Cinnamon Mountain. How true is that in everyday life? We so badly wish to get to our destination that we miss the journey. We get so caught up in beginning a journey and reaching the goal that we often discount the meaningful events in the middle. Looking ahead we lose sight of how far we’ve come and more importantly where we are in the present, in the Now.
Despite my moms lack of joy and internal conflict that day, I was so very proud of her and continue to be. I know first-hand just how hard the first climb can be and even more so finding the strength of mind to conquer such a quest. She never once said she wanted to quit, however, she did say she couldn’t do it but she did. She even fell on the descent, nevertheless, she picked herself back up, brushed off her knees, and flashed me a big smile.
About 8 months have passed since the day I climbed Cinnamon mountain with my mom, I couldn’t wait to share this story yet my mom wasn’t ready for the big reveal quite as soon as I was ready to tell it. She was proud of herself at this point even though the shock hadn’t worn off, yet, she was slightly displeased with her disposition that day and perhaps even a bit embarrassed. I assured her it was an opportunity to self-reflect and check in with herself but the story was hers to share. We all relish in the joy and adventure of that day, we laugh every time we speak of it and my mom (now) loves to tell every bit of that story. For no triumph is without great challenge but our perspective can make or break it.
At the peak she said “there is a mountain high enough!” and I responded “but you climbed it!”
Has self-belief helped you move mountains? How so?
Hope you all are having a wonderful day & find the motivation to overcome whatever mountain you’re climbing! You can do it!
Thank you for joining me here♥
On Instagram? Lets Connect! @Divinei
victoria lise 
Awl Tori there ain’t no mountain high enough when I need to be with you however that was sooo hard that day I felt like I was walking into heaven not yet ready to go there but reflecting back I could go there as long as u Alex and styxie were by my side I’m so glad u pushed me to this challenge in my middle fifties I’m not only well seasoned but I still have a bit of rock and roll left in me it’s simple keep climbing ur never done with reaching peaks o how I love the Rockies and my family too just BELiEVE!!!!!!!!
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You are a hoot! Keep on rocking & rolling! Xoxo
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How fabulous and what a wonderful ‘moment’ you shared with your mum .. even if she didn’t fully appreciate the journey at the time! I really admire her determination to reach the top – that takes inner strength when you know you don’t want to go on but you push yourself until you make it.. Wonderful!
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Thank you, Wendy! I will pass that along to her as well. I am so proud of her perseverance and her changed perspective on that epic adventure! Congrats on moving to a self-hosted site! Very happy and excited for you!! Cheers! x
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That’s brilliant Victoria and she definitely deserves some admiration… I’m not sure I’d have made it to the top!
I know – I think it will be live possibly later today – very exciting xxx
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A delightful story, Tori. Kudos to you and your mom for sharing this inspiring adventure. 🙂
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Thank you so very much, Carol! Wishing you a wonderful weeks end!
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Your mother’s adventure reminds me of the trip I took to Hawaii with my daughter and our climb (drive) to the top of Haleakala, the high volcano in the center of Maui. 🙂
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Oh goodness I bet there are grand stories to tell from that adventure too! Have never been to Hawaii but it is on my bucket list!
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It’s such a beautiful place. I hope you have a chance to visit someday, Tori. I forgot to mention in my previous comments that your mother is inspiring – she’s far braver than I am. It’s clear that you and she have much in common. 🙂
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I can only imagine what it looks and feels like in person as photos alone are breathtaking! Thank you, Carol. That strikes me so kindly and right in the heart. I was so inspired as well. It is always a pleasure to meet you here, Carol! ~Tori
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Excellent post that I can relate to quite well. I am 60 years old and moved to Colorado’s San Juan Mountains 2 years ago … from sea level. Hiking here is anything but easy! One of my toughest hikes was only about 6 miles round trip but it gained 2,000 feet in the first 2 miles. ‘Grueling’ is a good word to describe the experience but the beautiful wildflowers and aqua-colored alpine lake was a reward well worth the temporary pain. Now it’s time for me to get in better shape to start another season of hiking!
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Thank you so much, Denise! Wow, so you understand the transition. That is so great and I would have to agree with you on the ‘grueling’ part. While I have adjusted well and still in my 20s the first mountain I hiked was around 9 miles & 3,000 gain. It was unbelievable in more ways than one. Yes, hiking season is just about here! Wishing you a wonderful weeks end. ~Tori
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These are beautiful pictures, looks like an amazing place for a hike 😀
And good on your mum for completing it with you! I’m sure she felt very accomplished once she was done XD
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Thank you so much! It really is a beautiful area. Yes, I think she felt relieved and accomplished. Have a great week! ~Tori
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[…] To read my moms mountain climbing adventure click here! […]
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[…] From the peak one can see our whole 9 block town and surrounding developments. The winding slate river, long lake, and West Elk mountain range are hard to take your eyes off of. Having climbed CB somewhere around 6 times I can assure you the view never gets old. And if you’re wondering why we would hike the same mountain so often it’s because other than the yearly Living Journey’s hike (which is the same mountain annually) when loved ones come to visit and wish to climb a mountain this is where we take them. Except for my mom who we took into the backcountry on a more gritty adventure. […]
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