Did I ever tell you the story of a climb I made with 4 other people up 9200-foot Mt. Thielsen in Oregon? That mountain is called the “Lightening Rod of the Cascades” due to its pointy peak and the many storm clouds that get hung up there. The Klamath Tribe calls the mountain “His-chok-wol-as” which has to do with the action of carrying someone on your shoulders.
The other four (3 women and 1 man) were experienced climbers and invited me along. I was in my 40s, thought I was in pretty good shape, had a rugged, Oregon-man mindset, and so I eagerly said “Sure!” [1]
We drove in to about a 6,000-foot level and began our hike-climb. In spite of aching legs and lungs, all went pretty well for me until 9,000 feet. At that point, I was totally spent and collapsed on the trail. My legs wouldn’t work anymore, no matter how much I willed them to work.
The others were a bit ahead of me talking about the last 200 feet of climb up to the peak but one of the women missed me and came back to see where I was. She was in her 20s, probably weighed about 100 lbs. less than me and never seemed winded. Nevertheless, she was a woman who obviously cared and seemed to understand what I was experiencing. Her advice was to take some food, rest a bit, and give it another go. She reminded me that we were within 200 feet of the summit and I would be rewarded forever.
Fortunately, I had a couple power bars left and dug them out of my pack. Then, she said something that challenged my “manhood.” She said, “I’ll help you. Give me your pack and I’ll carry it for you.” I know it was only for an instant, but I hesitated. What flashed through my mind was what all those burly lumbermen I rubbed shoulders with would say if I told them a woman had carried my pack to the top. But that small, young woman couldn’t have cared less what I thought because she wanted me to share the view from the top with the rest of the group. So, my heart was humbled and I gave her my pack.
The view from the mountain top was breath-taking and I’ll never forget it.[2] But the sweetest memory from that day is not the view from the top but that warm, caring gesture by a woman I barely knew to help me the last leg of the journey. Oh, and by the way, when I got back and told others about my experience, no one laughed at my weakness. They all applauded that young woman and wished they too could have had a glimpse of that glorious view.
Many times since that moment on the mountain I’ve been helped on this journey through life, and I pray that I too have carried a pack or two. When we carry each other’s packs, we really are carrying each other.
So, come with me! Let’s make it to the top together. I want us all to get to that view at the top that God promises is eternally breath-taking! [3]
“And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!” Psalm 84:5-7 (The Message)
[1] Climbing Mount Thielsen: The Lightning Rod of the Cascades – Matt.Cook.Oregon
[2] Photo Showcase: Mt. Thielsen Summit
[3] Near the Throne – C.H. Spurgeon
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