Beyond the Mountain: Lessons from 29029 Everesting in Whistler

When I signed up for 29029 Everesting in Whistler, I knew it would be one of the toughest physical challenges of my life. The event, where participants climb the vertical equivalent of Mount Everest (29,029 feet) by hiking up Whistler Mountain repeatedly over 36 hours, demands more than just fitness. It requires grit, consistency, and a willingness to push beyond comfort zones. But what surprised me most was that the biggest takeaways had less to do with the mountain itself and more to do with life off the mountain.

Here are some of the lessons that will stay with me long after the red hat was placed on my head and the medal around my neck.

1. Follow Through on Commitments

The moment I signed up, I made a commitment—not only to the event but to myself. With a waitlist of eager participants, being chosen was a privilege. That meant 20 weeks of disciplined training to show up ready.

Following through didn’t just mean finishing; it meant refusing to give up when it got hard. Honoring commitments—even when it’s inconvenient or painful—is the foundation of growth.

2. Have Fun and Enjoy the Journey

It would have been easy to focus only on the struggle—the steep climbs, the fatigue, the endless switchbacks. But I realized that if I wasn’t enjoying the process, I was missing the point.

Joy was a conscious choice. If the journey is stripped of joy, then the accomplishment becomes hollow. Everesting reminded me to stay present and appreciate the experience, even at my limits.

3. Step Outside the Comfort Zone

This challenge forced me to confront discomfort head-on: exhaustion, nausea, and the mental battle of climbing the same mountain again and again.

Each time I hit a wall, I discovered I had more left to give. Growth requires discomfort, and leaning into it opens doors we never knew were there.

4. Be Curious

The mountain wasn’t just about me; it was about the nearly 350 other participants climbing alongside me. Everyone had a story—reasons why they signed up, struggles they were overcoming, dreams they were chasing.

By staying curious and listening deeply, I gained new perspectives on resilience, motivation, and the human spirit. Life is richer when we stay open to learning from those around us.

5. Control What You Can

There were many things outside my control—the weather, the terrain, the steepness, and the exhaustion. Dwelling on them would only drain me further.

What I could control became my focus: nutrition, hydration, rest, mindset, and pacing. By doubling down on these elements, I preserved energy and stayed positive. The same lesson applies in life: don’t waste energy on what you can’t change.

6. Seek Community

Community transforms impossible challenges into achievable ones. From my trainer, my husband, my friends and family who supported my journey to fellow climbers, coaches, and volunteers, I leaned heavily on encouragement.

When I struggled, I communicated honestly, and others rallied around me. And in return, I cheered them on. No great accomplishment is truly a solo effort.

7. Focus on the Present

It was easy to feel overwhelmed thinking about how many climbs still lay ahead. But focusing on the summit lap on day two or the final few hikes only made the task seem impossible.

I had to focus on the next step, the next switchback, or even the next reflector post. Progress, in life and on the mountain, comes one step at a time.

8. My Race Is With Myself

I realized I wasn’t racing anyone else. It didn’t matter what someone’s pace was or how fast they finished. The only competition that mattered was with me.

The same is true in life. Comparing myself to others—their careers, homes, or lifestyles—is wasted energy. My focus is on showing up better than I did yesterday and keeping my family at the center of it all.

9. Define Your “Why”

Perhaps the most important lesson was knowing my “why.” For me, it was my kids. They watched both me and my husband train for five months, and I wanted them to see what commitment and perseverance look like in action. Every step I took was a step toward showing them what’s possible when you set a goal and refuse to quit.

Final Reflection

Completing 29029 in Whistler was about more than climbing a mountain. It was about resilience, joy, discomfort, curiosity, community, and purpose. The mountain tested me, but the real reward was discovering the lessons that apply far beyond its slopes.

Because in the end, Everesting isn’t just about reaching the summit—it’s about how the climb changes you.

Would I do this again? Heck yes! I hope to sign up for 2026 and take on the mountain once more.