About three years ago, my husband Jim and I began daydreaming about how great it would be to hike a really high mountain and that’s when we started looking at fourteeners (14ers).  Fourteeners are mountains that exceed 14,000 feet above sea level.  Only four states have 14,000-foot mountains.  Alaska has twenty-one, Washington has two, California has twelve and Colorado has the most in the United States with fifty-four.  We focused on Colorado because of our love for the Rocky Mountains, as well as its proximity.  We dreamed of one day accomplishing our goal of climbing all fifty-four.


In the process of reaching our goal, over the last few years we developed our own list of “14er Rules.”


• Summit early or get wet.  Thunderstorms are no fun at the summit!
• There is no such thing as an easy 14er.  Some are classified as easy but they should all be taken seriously, you need to be prepared.
• There are no short cuts.  You may think you could go straight up to the summit instead of following the switchback trail but it will only make your hike longer and harder.
• You must wear sunscreen. It is so easy to get burned at high elevations.
• Eat and drink frequently even if you are not feeling hungry or thirsty, or you will bonk and be miserable for the rest of the hike.
• Never pass up an opportunity to relieve yourself.  There is no hiding above tree line and you are rarely alone on a summit!

In 2006 we climbed our first two14ers, Redcloud and Sunshine.  The summits are a mile apart, joined by a saddle.  It was the hardest hike that I had ever been on, but I was already making plans to hike the next mountain before we got back to the car.  That is when, as they say, “the addiction” began.  There is nothing like hiking in the backcountry.  I absolutely love it!  On our first 14er I thought we would be the only ones camping at the base of these mountains, but I was surprised to see that there were quite a few other campers there when we arrived.  I thought,  “Surely not many people do this,” but we quickly learned that you are never completely alone when hiking, even with the remoteness that a 14er brings.  On our hike we saw at least twenty other hikers throughout the day. There’s actually a pretty big 14er hiking community.  There are 10,000 members on 14ers.com and that is only one of several websites frequented.


Creation is a testament to the Lord’s awesome power!I remember on this first hike a beautiful creek we encountered early on.  I was amazed how the rock turned from red to silver, at a very distinct point along the trail.  The creek was so calming and inviting.  I felt the urge on many occasions to sit down and enjoy the serenity.  The valley we went though next was very green and dotted with brilliant wild flowers; the mountains engulfed us on all sides.  Huge majestic mountains!  Any time I am in the mountains I am reminded of how small I am, but how mighty God is.  Amos 4:13 says, “He who forms the mountains; creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness and treads the high places of the earth the Lord God Almighty is his name.”  There are other verses in Psalm and Judges that speak of the mountains melting like wax at the presence of the Lord.  That is a very powerful picture to me.  To think that huge mountains that seem unshakable to melt before the Lord!  I am always in awe of God when in His creation.  Creation is a testament to the Lord’s awesome power!“He who forms the mountains; creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness and treads the high places of the earth the Lord God Almighty is his name.”


When we reached around 13,000 feet we had the summit of Redcloud in view.  Standing at that elevation we had 360-degree views of the mountains, they encompassed us on all sides.  I was really exhausted at this point.  At 13,000 feet it took everything in me just to keep going and take the next step.  One lesson I learned is that you have to keep eating and drinking even if you don’t feel hungry or thirsty.  I kept thinking, “I am so close to being at the summit I don’t want to stop now”, but, you have to take those breaks or you will crash and be worthless for the rest of the hike.  It was such an incredible feeling to summit Redcloud.  It was extremely tough but it was so rewarding and the views, as Jim would say, are worth the price of admission!


Another lesson learned on our first 14er experience is that the mountains can be a dangerous place.  You need to be prepared.  We thought leaving at 6am would give us ample time to summit both mountains without getting caught in any afternoon storms.  We summited Redcloud at 10:30am and Sunshine at about noon.  As we were approaching Sunshine we heard thunder and could see a storm coming so we quickly summited, signed the log, and then went back down as fast as we could, which was actually pretty slow.  Unless you’ve had a lot of training at high altitude, you don’t have the energy to run.  We discovered at around 13,000 feet we hit a ceiling.  We noticed a distinct difference in the amount of energy we had, it seemed like we were moving in slow motion.  The only way back down was to resummit Redcloud.  We reached the saddle between the two summits and that’s when it began to rain.  We thought, “No big deal, we have our rain gear with us”, so we put that on and we didn’t hear any thunder, yet.  But, the weather can change so fast in the mountains.  It was sunny and beautiful on our first summit; then it turned to rain, sleet and eventually thundering around us within an hour.  As we were summiting Redcloud for the second time, it began pouring, and then the lightning came.  That’s when we started to get a little scared.  If you’ve ever been in a storm in the mountains then you can relate to this verse in Psalms, “His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.”  As we huddled together on the trail listening to the thunder echo around us, we felt exposed, like lighting rods.   We heard buzzing and Jim noticed my hair standing up.  We realized at this point that the same God, who controls the lightning, also has our lives in His hands.  It was amazing how comforting this simple truth was, it was a great relief just to trust in Him.  The storm passed quickly and the sun came out again.  This was definitely a lesson learned. Leave early or get wet, and we didn’t want to get caught like that again!  The song that kept running through my head the entire day was “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman.  That song became very alive for me that day; I felt the Lord’s strength, and presence with us.  The rest of the hike was peaceful.  We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and began making plans for our next hike.


The next summer, in June of 2007, we hiked Belford, Oxford, and Missouri Peaks in one weekend.  This was our first backpacking trip.  Normally, we treat the 14ers we do as day hikes.  We leave early (3-4am) travel light so we can move quickly, and be back to camp around lunchtime.  But, since these three are together we wanted to maximize our time there and camp two nights so we could hike all three.  We parked at the trailhead and hiked three miles, camping in a beautiful meadow at the base of Missouri Mountain for two nights.  Camping at an elevation of 12,500’ feet made for a restless night sleep.  Needless to say, we didn’t sleep much either night.  We learned later that your sleep cycles are shorter at high elevation.  We definitely had the solitude that we wanted, so that was nice.


There is nothing like a sunrise in the mountains. It is so beautiful to see the first light of day reflecting on the mountains.The next morning we got up early and began our hike at about 4am.  As we were making our way up towards Oxford’s summit, the sun began to rise.  There is nothing like a sunrise in the mountains.  It is so beautiful to see the first light of day reflecting on the mountains.   It is called alpenglow; right before the sun rises the mountains reflect so many different colors.  And with snow still seen in spots, the sunrises are brilliant!


Just before we reached the summit of Oxford we saw a bull Elk.  He looked at us for a split second and then quickly trotted down the mountain out of sight.  Since there is no significant vegetation or shelter, it surprised me to see Elk at that elevation.  This was the first time that we had seen big game at such elevation.


We summitted both Oxford and Belford that day and then the typical rainstorm came in the early afternoon.  So the next day we hiked Missouri Mountain.  This was a tough one for me at the beginning until we got to the ridge (at about 13,000 feet).  I was drained physically from being at that altitude for almost two days, it really messes with your body.  I was tired and nauseous and like I told Jim “You know I really want to summit because everything in me says no way!”  It was definitely a situation where I had to put my mind over matter.  One of my favorite quotes is by Sir Edmund Hillary, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”  I have learned a lot about myself through these hikes.  I have discovered my limitations, and my strengths.


I began to feel better at the ridge approaching Missouri.  It was amazing!  We walked along the ridge with incredible views on all sides.   The wildflowers on this mountain were especially brilliant with many different varieties.  It amazes me that wildflowers not only grow, but also thrive above 14,000 feet.  I am reminded of Matthew 6:28 “..Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.”


I can’t think of a more amazing place to praise God.We were the first ones to summit Missouri that day.  It was a beautiful Sunday morning and I can’t think of a more awesome place to praise God.  I was singing praises on top of that mountain!  The view is forever seared in my mind.  I counted at least seven different mountain ranges, as far as the eye can see.


There are many reasons why I enjoy climbing.  I feel closest to God when I am exploring His creation.  I find I am free of distractions and the daily grind; being in the outdoors allows me to clear my mind.  I have the best climbing partner in the world; it is wonderful to accomplish these hikes with my husband.  We dream of taking our kids with us when they are older!  It is such an awesome feeling to accomplish our climbing goals.  At times it is challenging but overcoming these obstacles is very rewarding.  Being in the outdoors gives me a renewed spirit and I leave longing for the next time I can get out there!

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Jennie Johnson is a Women’s Ministry founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship.

When I got to college I took a job with the Forest service I absolutely loved. I lived for being outside 100 percent of the time, never knowing what to expect. My experience offered quite an adventure and I gained a tremendous amount of independence during that time.

The next year I took a job as a grasshopper surveyor. Each day I was to catch as many grasshoppers as I could and put them in jars and bring them back to an entomologist. I hate grasshoppers, but I loved being outside.

After that summer life kind of took over. We as women tend to put our old loves on hold for the new loves. I don’t regret my new loves; children, marriage, work and church. All have been a wonderful adventure for me.

A RENEWED ADVENTURE

Last year my husband asked me to go hunting with him. Of course the answer was no the first 20 times. But then I broke down. How could I say no when my birthday gift was a 20 ga. Remington model 870 and brand new camo. After it sunk in that my gift was gear, I thought how cool is this?

Since then I have been on one spring turkey hunt, a duck hunt, were I actually got one, and one elk hunt. I feel like another person when I am out there. I think when I am out there I just get back in touch with that fearless side of me. The wild streak comes out and I all the stress and pressure of life goes away.

Also, I love being with my husband. We connect on a whole different level when we are out there.

As an example, when he took me duck hunting for the first time we just had such a great time. It felt like it was something we had always done together. It was just comfortable and no pressure for me. I didn’t have to prove anything. Apparently the comfort level was mutual because in the midst of some small talk Lance looks over at me, in all seriousness and asks hey do you want to smoke a cigar?

Now I have been asked to do a lot of things, but that was a new one. I just casually said no and we went about our business.

CONNCTING IN THE OUTDOORS

Ladies, I plea with you to get out there and experience the connection.

Men if you want your favorite girls out there, just ask. And if she says no, keep asking. Remember the clincher is the shotgun. Outfit her no less than you would yourselves.

I want you to know that the purpose of this article is not to tell you about all of my adventures. Rather my hope would be that I inspire some of you to get out and find your own adventure.

I can’t begin to describe what it is like to be trudging chest deep in water for 45 minutes in the cold. Certainly to some of you it sounds like torture. But you know for me it is when I honestly feel the most alive.

When you are out there and you look around you realize that you are probably among only a handful of people that have experienced the view from where you are standing. And when you see wildlife all around you, you realize how very small you are. It gives you perspective into God’s design. You know that everything is the way it is supposed to be.

FACING THE BOOGIE MAN

If that’s not reason enough, then get out there for your children. Our kids don’t have the passion for the outdoors like we used to. The outdoors has become the boogie man. It’s too dangerous. We worry about our kids getting hurt.

The report by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports indicate 2/3 of American children can’t pass a basic physical fitness test. Forty percent of our boys and 70 percent of our girls, ages 6-17, can’t manage more than one pull up. Forty percent show early signs of heart and circulation problems.

So who is the real Boogie man? Maybe he’s the x-box.

THE DISCONNECT

It is apparent kids are becoming disconnected to the natural world. They lack an understanding of our natural food sources. Society has become so urbanized that children and even adults have an unhealthy view of wildlife and domestic animals.

They want to protect and humanize them all. Some even have an irrational fear of them. You have the power and responsibility to teach them otherwise.

TIME FOR CHANGE

There are so many reasons for more women to enjoy the outdoors. I am not saying you need to hunt. You don’t’ need to hike or bike. It doesn’t need to be anything strenuous at all. But because nature is Gods creation, we have on obligation to, at the very least, admire it.

Ladies I know it’s hard to find time, but what are you waiting for? I think you are ready for something different.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “… to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the Power that works within us…”

Every woman has the desire for adventure in her soul. God, says you have the ability to do “exceedingly abundantly” beyond what you think. Perhaps, you just never asked yourself about it. I promise if you try something new it will change you. And even if you hate it, you at the very least will love the fact that you tried it.

Mark Twain was quoted, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Don’t live for regret. Don’t let that spark that’s in you go out. Get out there and find your adventure.

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Jaime Cherry is the Women’s Ministry founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Jaime, Jaime@crosshairsforchrist.org