We are excited to introduce, Brooke Weeber, one of our can-do partners who took a risk and went for it. We sat down with Brooke to hear the story behind her photos and sense of adventure. What we learned captivated us and has us praying for snow again! Check it out...
"I hit the ski slopes for the first time on New Year’s Day, 2017. You could say, I was shaking in my boots. I didn’t know how my body would react to having two long flat sticks strapped to my feet for the first time. I took a quick lesson and was pointed downhill. I gained speed and made a few funky turns as a huge grin spread across my face. I was hooked.
My intention for learning how to ski was to find a quicker way down the mountains I climb each spring and summer. Walking down a mountain for hours with exhausted legs has always been my least favorite part of the climb. But skiers always make it look so easy and exciting, whooping and hollering as they quickly make graceful lines in the snow. I thought, “that’s going to be me someday.”
Fast forward to May 2018. I’ve spent some time learning the ropes, but I’m far from an expert. I can handle myself on the groomed routes, but I’ve had zero backcountry experience. One day, out of the blue, I get an invite from a friend to join her and some other women on a ski summit of Mt. St. Helens. I tossed the options around in my mind for awhile before responding. “Would I have enough skills to ski this terrain? Am I in shape for a climb? What would happen if I lost control and skied off a cliff?” Despite all the doubt swirling around my brain, I answered “Yes.” I often approach situations like this. I blindly agree and hope for the best. I suppose I would consider this my can-do attitude. I try to believe in myself until moments of failure arrive, then I handle those problems as they come (sometimes with tears and a few expletives).
It was a beautiful day on Mt. St. Helens and I felt strong. Skinning up the mountain was a dream. There were tough moments when the terrain got steep and the wind picked up, tossing us around like rag dolls. But overall, I enjoyed the slow and steady 5,000 foot ascent. I was relieved when we reached the top. My legs were tired and the snow was getting soft under the bright midday sun. I was looking forward to the descent with a little trepidation and a lot of fear. I put my skis in ski-mode and practiced a couple turns. No problem. Then I pointed downward and lost control of everything. It only took a few sloppy turns before I fell. And then I fell again. And again. And again. I fell so many times that my body turned into a rigid, clunky mess. All of my confidence flew out the window. I took my skis off a few times when I felt too afraid to continue. I skied through the trees only after my friends coerced me into submission. It wasn’t pretty, but I made it. Despite the struggle and the long hours, the challenge felt good and the minute we were back at the car I was elated. Maybe I didn’t look like the most skilled skier out there. Maybe I looked downright horrible. But I took the risk and went for it, and I’m so glad I did. I hope it’s just a first of many ski summits in my climbing career. Time will tell!"
So many of us cast risk aside saying it is "too hard" or "there is no way I can do that." But you can! And although you may not be an expert your first time, you try and try again, and may find something new and exciting out there that you've never experienced before.
We love @brooke_weeber 's feed on Instagram. Check it out and maybe her story and imagery will inspire you to take up skiing or something else you'd always wanted to try. Life is short, get outside! Cheers!
"I Was Hooked"
"I hit the ski slopes for the first time on New Year’s Day, 2017. You could say, I was shaking in my boots. I didn’t know how my body would react to having two long flat sticks strapped to my feet for the first time. I took a quick lesson and was pointed downhill. I gained speed and made a few funky turns as a huge grin spread across my face. I was hooked.
My intention for learning how to ski was to find a quicker way down the mountains I climb each spring and summer. Walking down a mountain for hours with exhausted legs has always been my least favorite part of the climb. But skiers always make it look so easy and exciting, whooping and hollering as they quickly make graceful lines in the snow. I thought, “that’s going to be me someday.”
Fast forward to May 2018. I’ve spent some time learning the ropes, but I’m far from an expert. I can handle myself on the groomed routes, but I’ve had zero backcountry experience. One day, out of the blue, I get an invite from a friend to join her and some other women on a ski summit of Mt. St. Helens. I tossed the options around in my mind for awhile before responding. “Would I have enough skills to ski this terrain? Am I in shape for a climb? What would happen if I lost control and skied off a cliff?” Despite all the doubt swirling around my brain, I answered “Yes.” I often approach situations like this. I blindly agree and hope for the best. I suppose I would consider this my can-do attitude. I try to believe in myself until moments of failure arrive, then I handle those problems as they come (sometimes with tears and a few expletives).
It was a beautiful day on Mt. St. Helens and I felt strong. Skinning up the mountain was a dream. There were tough moments when the terrain got steep and the wind picked up, tossing us around like rag dolls. But overall, I enjoyed the slow and steady 5,000 foot ascent. I was relieved when we reached the top. My legs were tired and the snow was getting soft under the bright midday sun. I was looking forward to the descent with a little trepidation and a lot of fear. I put my skis in ski-mode and practiced a couple turns. No problem. Then I pointed downward and lost control of everything. It only took a few sloppy turns before I fell. And then I fell again. And again. And again. I fell so many times that my body turned into a rigid, clunky mess. All of my confidence flew out the window. I took my skis off a few times when I felt too afraid to continue. I skied through the trees only after my friends coerced me into submission. It wasn’t pretty, but I made it. Despite the struggle and the long hours, the challenge felt good and the minute we were back at the car I was elated. Maybe I didn’t look like the most skilled skier out there. Maybe I looked downright horrible. But I took the risk and went for it, and I’m so glad I did. I hope it’s just a first of many ski summits in my climbing career. Time will tell!"
So many of us cast risk aside saying it is "too hard" or "there is no way I can do that." But you can! And although you may not be an expert your first time, you try and try again, and may find something new and exciting out there that you've never experienced before.
We love @brooke_weeber 's feed on Instagram. Check it out and maybe her story and imagery will inspire you to take up skiing or something else you'd always wanted to try. Life is short, get outside! Cheers!