First Time in Siberia

It’s easy to say that we are relying on God to supply our needs and give us success in our endeavors. But how often do we show actual reliance on God by begging Him for help each day and by praying constantly about every individual task? Most of us, I think, are too prideful to fully grasp how much we need God . . .

Looking up at the summit, I knew we were in for it. The top of the mountain was shrouded in thick, swirling clouds, and as we trekked through the chilly, snow-filled basin toward the base of the peak, those clouds lit up pink and then gold with the early rays of morning light. Beautiful, but . . . I knew those clouds meant we were not going to have the time we had anticipated.

Mount Sherman (14,036’) in Colorado’s Mosquito Range is considered to be one of the easiest 14ers in the state, second only to Quandary Peak in the Tenmile Range. With relatively low elevation gain and mileage, we thought this would be the perfect mountain to close out our last week in Buena Vista, Colorado, because we didn’t want to do anything too strenuous before we had to travel in a few days.

Mt. Sherman

And it really was not a strenuous hike by mountain-climbing standards. The higher we climbed, however, the stronger the wind became, and the white mounds around us reminded me of pictures I have seen of the wild wastelands of Siberia.

We were feeling pretty confident up to this point. After all, since arriving in Colorado in April, we had successfully summitted every peak we had attempted. We had made it to the top of two 13ers on our very first climb. We had conquered Humboldt Peak (14,064’), a satisfying victory after last year’s failure, plus we had summitted its almost-equally-foreboding neighbor, Colony Baldy (13,705’). We had overcome an exposed snow cornice on Huron Peak (14,003’) in the Sawatch Range and also summitted La Plata (14,336’), one of the more difficult Sawatch 14ers. Though we have learned to never become overconfident and expect to summit, let’s just say that we didn’t think Mt. Sherman would be what it was.

La Plata Peak

Exposed snow on Huron Peak

We forgot that a mountain never lets you go that easy.

When we crested the rocky ridge, we entered the heart of the blizzard. Pelting snow drove into  our clothes and packs, freezing onto our eyelashes and stinging our faces. I looked down to see the straw of my water bladder almost completely frozen. I looked up to see fine snow and loose rock in every direction. We were alone in an alien world, trapped in a deadly snow globe. Again, thoughts of Siberia came to mind . . .

So cold that hair and eyelashes froze!

Soon, even the faint line of the trail began to fade out. Picking our way carefully along the side of the steep east face, it became apparent that it would be safer to crest the ridge and continue along it. Working together, we helped each other to safely scramble up the icy rock to the top of the ridge. Staying just below the narrow line of rocks beside us, we made it to a point where the terrain leveled out a bit, and we were heading toward the summit on a relatively flat plain of powdery new snow. I looked to my left down the west face—white cloud. I looked to my right – the same. There would be no view at the top.

Congratulations for us! First 14er summit with no view. It happens . . .

The descent was as … uncomfortable? . . . as the ascent, but this time we kept to the ridge for longer instead of descending the way we had come up. Through one wild notch, the wind whistled across the ridge at estimated speeds of 40-50 mph.

Thankfully, near the saddle that connects Mt. Sherman to its neighbor, Mt. Sheridan, the clouds lifted somewhat to afford us a view of the surrounding landscape. After that, the descent was fun and uneventful, and we made it to the car (mostly) unscathed.

Finally some clearing!

We did it! But, boy – never underestimate a mountain.

Isn’t it so easy to overestimate our ability to overcome temptations, make it through trials, and perform the tasks God has given us to do? Even when you wake up in the morning and expect a comparatively simple day, you need God’s help to guide you to make the right decisions, to give you strength to resist sin, and to grant you success in the smallest endeavors.

Never start the day unguarded. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

Photos by Jenny and Paul Venturo