Who Is The Most Difficult Challenge?

In Matthew Hedger’s article “Yosemite National Park Day Hikes: Vernal Falls Death March”, he claims that you don’t always know what you’re getting into and find that things are harder than they seem. Hedger supports his claim with a story of his hike up Vernal Falls. His purpose is to inform his readers that you can always get through difficult things and that they’re stronger than they think. The intended audience is anyone who enjoys a good story and wants to know about hiking.

We were all encouraged to choke down as much food as possible. Any kind of energy was essential. A melancholy atmosphere hung heavy as the journey progressed. Minutes walking slowly progressed into hours, the sky seemed to darken steadily. All of us were oblivious to the danger shrouded by the dim evening. Only moments after scaling a rather steep ledge did nature dice to turn sour. A deafening rumble made each climber perk up. Snow began to descend at an alarming rate. Thunder began to mic the steady beating of a drum, causing more concern among the ranks of climbers. The powdery snow became more of a risk than ever, climbing under pressure and leaving nothing to stand on. Third base was more than three hours away. Three hours wasn't possible at the rate. Snowfall this bad could be detrimental to the climb’s success. Snow obscured vision and numbed faces. Shouts and orders deemed lost in the screaming wind; people’s figure became shapeless blurs frantically shifting, hoping if they struggled against the wind hard enough, they might find someone. Of course, this was to no avail. Not a single person doubted their demise would come at this point: the stakes were high and no-one could play too well against Mother Nature. The snow crept up to knee-level, making it harder and harder to travel. Death and I were face-to-face. To some, they couldn't bare the idea of dying up here; they had families and friends, children who need parents and

“I accepted the assignment because I was in the grip of the Everest mystique . In truth, I wanted to climb the mountain as badly as I’d ever want anything in my life” (84).

CW3 (Ret.) Brydges taught me not to be fixated on leaving a mark or self-absorbed with how people will remember me. I want my influence to be genuine, based on my strong personal values and morals. As a Drill Sergeant, I have a large impact on how new soldiers interpret the Army. It is important to me not to violate their trust, instill standards and discipline, and show them true professionalism. They say that soldiers will always remember their Drill Sergeants. When soldiers reflect back on their experience in Basic Combat Training I want them to say, “Drill Sergeant Lawrence, she was an amazing leader. She taught me a lot about the Army and about myself. She motivated me and inspired me to do my best.” That is it. The same way Basic Combat Soldiers view me is how I want all soldiers to see me. A leader whom provides mentorship, develops them into leaders, and empowers their potential. I want to motivate soldiers by leading by example and lead with confidence even in adverse conditions. I would like to leave a legacy built on the truth of who I am as a leader and how I influence others. Most importantly, those that I have influenced and developed as leaders will be my true

I never thought I would rock climb blindfolded, yet last summer I climbed fifty feet of rock with a bandana over my eyes. This is not the first time I have done something so adventurous. I have always been determined, and this quality has led me to repeatedly push myself beyond my comfort zone. I have done out of the ordinary things from rock climbing to spelunking, things some people go their whole lives without doing. I have worked towards a single goal for years, hoping that my tenacity will lead to the attainment of that goal. My determination enables me to push myself to try new things, let my adventurous side shine, and labor long for something I desire.

The final thing I did to prepare for the climb of Leatherman Peak, was to mentally ready myself for the hardships I was going to endure. The mountain brought up many things, like rocks and roots in the trail, thoughts like the top will never come, and the mountain is sucking out my life source one deadly step at a time. By being mentally secure, I have found that these rocks in life crumble to pebbles and vanish into dust. But I must endure these events because, as Muhammad Ali stated, “It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out, it is the pebble in your

Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.

Ever since that moment I realized how much I want to help people in distress and possibly save lives. Now I find myself only a few months away from having a cross of my own on my back and helping other people on the mountain. After two years of being told “you're too young and there's no choice but to wait,” so I could get a head start at becoming a member of the decorated Snow Summit Ski Patrol team . While the only thing left to do is pass some the tests, every year I come closer to the patrol family and one step closer to leaving a mark and standing out in our team. For several months I would drive up to Big Bear every other weekend to attend a hands on portion of a first-aid class, while Wednesday's our group would attend a conference call

Last year, I got the opportunity to go to Snow King Ropes Course in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I had always been a fearless person and rarely backed away from a challenge. As I rode up the chairlift, the sun was beating down, and the air was cool. As I reached the top, I saw a 20-foot tall web of ladders, bridges, tightropes, and other obstacles. I so excited to begin, I did not stop to notice the obstacles farther up on the tree, which led into a heavily wooded area. As I prepared to hook into the safety harness system that would, other people in my group began climbing. I watched as they hooked in, and climbed up to a 30-foot platform that towered above the rest. I was shocked to see that there was another course, leading up the mountain. As I looked around, I noticed the sign displayed at the base of the course I had originally seen; ‘Children’s Ropes Course.’ At that point, I thought the adult course would be similar, just higher, so I bravely pressed onward. I was not

Accomplishment surges through my heated body, calves burning, as the last few steps are taken. As the mountain inclines, the vibrant green trees and grass are replaced with luxurious ruby rock that looks as though it is bleeding from its sides. The windy trail, wrapping itself around the mountain as thought it was giving a hug. The air, thin as a sheet, makes breathing a strenuous task. The trail, only wide enough for a sole body, has a sheer 5,790 foot drop from both sides. If you were to take one step left or right, you would succumb to the mighty cliffs. A long metal chain is drilled in the rock as a support, for the steep cliffs and thin trails have claimed over seven inexperienced hikers within the past few

Growing up as a military kid, I cultivated a strong sense of discipline, adaptability and compassion. During my formative years, my insatiable curiosity of how the

Gen. Powell’s second leadership principle resonates with a large portion of my military and civilian life. The principle, which in summary, states that you have failed as a leader when Soldiers stop bringing you their problems. This is an example of the Soldiers losing confidence in you to either help them in finding a resolution to their problem or being a supportive person, a rock, for them. Throughout my life, the people I have looked up to the most and the ones that I have felt where great leaders and mentors were those that I could take my professional and even my personal problems to. On the military side, now MSG McTighe, was a Soldier, a mentor and a leader that I trusted and still trust to take my issues to. I know he will listen in detail and offer sage advice in the fields he has knowledge in. At times, it was to vent about an issue and at times it was to request pieces of his, what seemed to be, limitless military knowledge base. Being approachable, able to listen, and able to deliver sound advice, has made MSG McTighe a desired mentor of so many junior and even senior leaders. In my military profession, I have had experiences where the Soldiers chose to come to me rather than their direct leadership, their friends, or their peers. I can distinctly recall a Soldier who was facing unemployment, homelessness, and a baby on the way who sought me out to talk through his problems. It was not because I was his friend or him and I shared few jokes around the MKT. I feel it was because I

The three of us had to always stay together, even in the airports. I usually love flying, but this particular trip was 15 hours of flying, then waiting, then more flying and more waiting. I was getting nervous. After four planes and a bus, we finally got to our guard station, Blue Mount Point. It looked like the training facility, bland as ever. All around us was red boulders and loose dirt. On top of the hill was a shack, greyish green in color, stood a mere 5’6’’ high. I guess being short wasn’t such a bad thing. I was expecting to get a good night sleep before starting, but we got straight to work. The three of us got in our jeep and patrolled enemy territory,none of us really understood the severity of the task. We were all joking around and laughing. I usually told the jokes and we laughed and made up different ways to tell the same joke, which made us laugh even harder. However, today felt eerie. Maybe it was just because I've never really left home before but I was sure my buddies could see the nervousness in my eyes, darting around quickly. Maybe this was not what i was trying to do with my

The hike started off really scary, but when I remembered something my Dad always told me, and still does, it changed my thoughts of the hike, I then felt relaxed, and determined. The first time I heard him say this to me was a moment in my life I will never forget. It strongly, and wisely told me, “If you want to achieve and experience all the great things in life, you can’t let problems get in the way of perseverance.”

"Come with me! Training begins now," ordered the unrelenting stranger. I obeyed, following him until we reached a group of cadets standing on a hill overlooking dunes that extended for miles toward a colossal mountain. "Run to top of the mountain and back," he demanded. Confused,