Preparing to summit the Grand Teton was no small feat. It required months of focused training, gear selection, and commitment to lifestyle choices—much like those we champion every day at Pritikin—to prepare our minds and bodies for what lay ahead. After such an accomplishment, I took time to reflect on what the experience taught me about preparation, mind-set, and heart.
It started with a simple exchange.
“Hey, I’m going to summit the Grand Teton,” I told Jared back in November.
His response? “Can I go too?”
And just like that, our journey began.
While I’ve spent decades in endurance sports and Jared is a young powerhouse in his own right, neither of us had ever attempted mountaineering—let alone a mountain as technical and demanding as the Grand Teton. We brought in a third teammate, a former colleague and friend Amy, and our team was complete. Guiding us was Derek Toshner, our coach and a seasoned mountaineer whose expertise and steady confidence earned our full trust.
The preparation was no small feat. Months of focused training, gear selection, and commitment to lifestyle choices—much like those we champion every day at Pritikin—prepared our minds and bodies for what lay ahead.
The Ascent
Day 1: With 40+ pound packs strapped to our backs, we began our climb to basecamp. Due to unexpected circumstances, we pivoted and set up camp at the Moraines instead of the Lower Saddle—adding hours to our summit push but lightening our summit-day load. The team was undeterred. We were ready.
Lights out at 6:00 PM. Alarms at 2:45 AM. Geared up with harnesses, helmets, and headlamps, we stepped out under a sky dotted with glowing headlamps of fellow climbers heading toward the summit. The climb was on.
Roped up, climbing with care and confidence, we moved upward—step by step, ledge by ledge. The most harrowing section? A roped "belly crawl" across a narrow ledge with a 4,000-foot vertical drop to our left. It was cold and windy, and our hands shook, but no one faltered. We climbed with purpose. No distractions. No fear. Just presence.
And then—Derek offered a short detour. "It’ll add 15 minutes,” he said, “but it’s worth it.” He was right. The summit ridge offered jaw-dropping views and brought us face to face with the top of the Grand.
As we reached the final five feet, emotion surged. Hugs. Tears. And Jared unfurled the Pritikin flag at the summit—a moment that symbolized everything we stand for: focus, lifestyle, grit, and joy.
At the summit, I looked at Jared and said, “There is nothing we cannot do.”
The Descent
The summit is only halfway.
Now came the test of patience, fitness, and mindset—Derek’s three non-negotiables for any successful climb. Repelling down thousands of feet, we relied on trust: in ourselves, in our training, and in each other.
By the time we reached the Lower Saddle, we paused briefly. I even squeezed in my daily mile to keep my running streak alive (with Derek cheering me on). Then it was back to basecamp for food, reflection, and rest.
Day 3: The Final Push
With our backpacks loaded again, we hiked the 4.5-hour descent to the trailhead. Legs tired, hearts full.
We did it.
No complaints. No “are we there yets.” Just a team—fully committed and fully present. Despite being decades older than my teammates, I gave myself grace when I was the caboose and accepted help when offered. That, too, is strength.
This Was More Than a Climb
This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And one of the most rewarding.
It was about lifestyle. Resilience. Preparation. Mindset. And joy.
And yes—there was celebration: pizza, beer, and belly laughs at the Mangy Moose. A perfect end to an unforgettable journey.
