10/26/2025
10 years ago I got to this spot on the Devils Backbone on Mt Baldy at 8,000ft (and vertical drops each side of 1000ft) and stopped frozen with fear and had to turn around. Four years ago I experienced a vision in my Ice Bath of me sitting peacefully at the top of Baldy even though I had never been to the top. That started a quest to get there and overcome a lifelong fear that held me back in so many ways such as avoiding high spaces, associated fear of flying, driving on high passes etc. I began a training regime of going to high spots around LA and walking to the edge using a breathing technique to calm myself, I visualized daily, sought out mentors and guides who took me back up the mountain a year later and I walked the Backbone in a state of power rather than fear. Yesterday was the first time back with my wife who was there 10 years ago and saw me at my most vulnerable. It was amazing to be with the Magnificent seven who had there own journey up there, my mate of 40 yrs Cam and my amazing wife. So many people live with a fear of heights, one in three, when they don't have to. It's something anyone can over come given the right tools and mentor. The biggest key is to turn FEAR into EXCITEMENT! My goal was never just to gutball the experience- it was to live free and experience life fully.
