It’s been a strange year in climbing. For me, it seems as though more have died this year than in recent years. It feels as though every time you go onto some sort of blog or news feed, someone else has died in the eyes of outdoor adventure, namely Climbing.
The idea of all these people dying has been weird for me. I suppose it’s mostly to do with the fact that I’m pursuing this adventure sport more then ever right now. And with this level of pursuit you indulge yourself, more so, into more facets of the sport. Whether meeting lots of new and great people, learning more about the industry, writing for various publications, whatever it is, but it’s almost as though you become apart of a world wide “community”. Thus, when someone has “fallen”, it hits you harder then expected.
I first got a taste of this “dark feeling” a couple of years ago when a good friend of mine fell while soloing a mountain in the Lake Louise area. Hearing about his death, on a climbing trip I might ad, shook me more then any “usual” death in the past. Upon receiving this news I even tried climbing the day after…but that was a disaster. I was terrified to get off the ground, whether it was a “ladder” I was going up or whatever. It didn’t matter–I was scared all of a sudden, to the point of not wanting to climb at all or maybe even anymore.
When I was first told about Guy Lacelle dying it stopped me in my tracks. Now here’s a guy who was “super natural” when it came to climbing ice. Climbs I dream about sending, he’s soloed in his sleep. He was an inspiration in many ways to many people–the kind of guy that was supposed to be elite from injury; that couldn’t die. However faster than a speeding bullet, he was gone. A reality check was slammed in many faces, including my own.
We have a simplified understanding of death when it comes to old age, but when it comes to death taking the form of accidents etc., our level of understanding is quickly replaced with a sense of emptiness. We search endlessly for reasoning, justification, or peace that allows us permission to move on. On the contrary, my scurrying around in search of my understanding always leaves me with the short end of the stick. But perhaps that’s the point…that we’re not to understand but more so have trust and faith in a greater force. This force? The one who’s in control, the one who “Is”.
A friend, after telling me about Guy Lacelle’s death, told me, “I hope you can find peace with this through your beliefs….”. And instantly, I felt a sense of warmth. That was a reminder to me that I needed to stop fighting with understanding and give up to God. I needed to put my trust in Him, knowing, believing that He had things under control. I was reminded that my faith lays in the hands of what I can’t see, not what I can see. God is good, so good infact. And with all the deaths that have taken place in recent years, it’s still hard to deal with, but God brings comfort, He brings light to all of it. Maybe not right away, or as soon as we hope, but He does in His good timing. Through anything He can bring greatness, enrichment, and peace.
I give praise to my creator. I trust Him (although it can be hard at times). And I ask anyone who’s reading this, who hasn’t had the opportunity to share a relationship with Christ to open your heart to such love. You never know, you might just find something you’ve been longing for. You think climbing brings excitement and adrenaline? Chillin’ with God super-seeds any such “rush”.
Keep pursuing your passion, and if another comrade “falls”, raise your glass and embrace the great moments that they have left for you to smile about.
Cool.
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