• Author | Brant Bell, PA-C
• Date | 2/17/2021 8:00 am

Conquering Mt. Elbert: Colorado’s Tallest Peak

At times, life can seem as though it is nothing more than one obstacle after another.

Some obstacles we encounter are of our own doing, and others are completely out of our control. On August 30, 2020, a bright, windy day in Colorado was the setting for yet another difficult obstacle for me to overcome. This one was of my own choosing.

My alarm sounded at 3:00 AM on a cold, dark morning. I rolled out of bed, ate a protein packed breakfast, filled the bladder in my backpack with water, dressed in removable layers of warmth, and laced up my boots. A daunting mountain climb lay before our group of five. We approached the climb with varying levels of preparation…ranging from an Iron Man participant whose 2020 events had all been canceled due to the COVID pandemic all the way to me, a physician assistant without an ounce of preparation for the thin Colorado air, or any conditioning for the physical or emotional obstacles I was about to endure.

I had never climbed a mountain before, so why not choose Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s tallest peak, and the second tallest peak in the lower 48 states, as my first climb? I have been very blessed genetically and at the age of 51, I maintain a pretty thin physique. I thought it would be tough, but not nearly as tough as it turned out to be. As the air thinned, the temperature dropped, and the grade of climb grew steeper, we kept marching one step after the other. Two of our five ended their climb at “tree line,” the 12,000-foot point from which trees stop naturally growing. The Iron Man among us kept hiking without any stops along the way. The other two of us hatched a plan to walk 50 steps, stop, catch our breath, then walk 50 more. The stop, catch our breath, then walk 50 more steps plan became increasingly difficult as the day wore on, but we kept pushing each other along.I had never climbed a mountain before, so why not choose Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s tallest peak, and the second tallest peak in the lower 48 states, as my first climb? I have been very blessed genetically and at the age of 51, I maintain a pretty thin physique. I thought it would be tough, but not nearly as tough as it turned out to be. As the air thinned, the temperature dropped, and the grade of climb grew steeper, we kept marching one step after the other. Two of our five ended their climb at “tree line,” the 12,000-foot point from which trees stop naturally growing. The Iron Man among us kept hiking without any stops along the way. The other two of us hatched a plan to walk 50 steps, stop, catch our breath, then walk 50 more. The stop, catch our breath, then walk 50 more steps plan became increasingly difficult as the day wore on, but we kept pushing each other along.

There is a phenomenon in mountain climbing called false peaks.  Occasionally, as you climb over a certain rise you will encounter what appears to be goal of the day, the mountaintop summit. Excitement courses through your veins as you enjoy renewed energy and pick up the pace only to soon realize it was a mirage, or false peak, making you think the end was closer than it really turned out to be. After 3 false peaks sparked moments of exhilaration then discouragement, we finally succeeded in reaching the summit at 14,440 feet. Our goal finally realized! But then, after celebrating and memorializing the moment in pictures, you quickly recognize that the descent presents a whole new challenge as you engage different, already fatigued, muscle groups and pound your toes into the ends of your boots while retracing your steps back to the base of the mountain. The exhilaration is real, but the pain, fatigue, and blisters are just as real. What an experience!

 So, you might be asking what the recounting of this experience has to do with my taking care of patients with orthopedic issues? As I reflect upon one of the most physically challenging days of my life, I can see several analogies that have something in common with recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic pain.

When you take time to think, you will see that orthopedic issues, whether acute or chronic, have several things in common with my story above.

Our issues are sometimes caused by something of our own choosing, but sometimes come along due to an accident and absolutely no fault of our own. Our issues sometimes seem daunting and maybe too significant to overcome (like attempting a 14er with no conditioning). Our issues sometimes feel like we just can’t fully recover, because we’re just worn out with the process and ready to throw in the towel (the next seemingly impossible, steep climb is staring you in the face). Sometimes no matter how well we plan, the road to recovery is filled with obstacles that work against our efforts to recover (like the thin Colorado air). Our issues are sometimes best overcome by working with someone else who helps push us beyond our own limits, such as a physical therapist (pairing off with a climbing partner). Our issues sometimes seem to be nearing recovery (false peaks), only to suffer a setback (the grueling descent) that can discourage and knock us off course.

At 7 Springs Orthopedics, we understand the range of emotions that come with either acute or chronic pain. We welcome the opportunity to walk in step with you as you climb the mountain of recovery and get back to life! Sometimes there is a lesson in the pain that makes us all stronger for having gone through the process.

Written by Brant Bell, PA-C

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