“Man (+ God) Vs. Wild”
I here confess that I like to watch “Man vs. Wild” on TV. Last night I saw Bear Grylls fly a motorized hang-glider above Mt Everest! Note: Grylls has also summited Everest. He’s a phenomenal physical specimen who does the craziest, most adventuresome things. And, Grylls is a follower of Jesus.
I looked up his website today, and Grylls talks about how he trains. Here are some quotes.
“I routinely train for three to four hours a day to keep my physical fitness at the level needed to sustain the pace of each shoot; this routine includes weights, running, yoga, rucksack runs, yomps, and circuit training. In addition I need to dedicate time and energy every day to maintaining my skill levels within each discipline I use: such as skydiving, climbing, paragliding, yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts.
In between all this I have my family to love and hang out with. I have two great boys and a wife who means the world to me. My challenge through a lot of the craziness of the last couple of years since Man Vs Wild took off, is to balance my family life with my training and filming schedule.
The final part of the equation is my Christian faith…I look at this as the thread that binds all these other elements together. I pray daily for my family and we also have little quiet times together, and I pray hard when out filming for safety, good judgement and for protection in all the dangers.” (24 October 2007)
Well, I am a follower of Jesus, too. So, inspired by Grylls’s Everest adventures, I recently *summited the highest point in Monroe, Mt Munson. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I am always in training for this climb. My training regimen includes: reading books, going to meetings, and eating at potlucks. Above is a picture of Mt Munson before I went for it. I took this shot from below the peak, in base camp 1. Conditions can be deadly at the top. Many out-of-shape persons have found themselves in danger, especially making the treacherous descent. Finally, as the picture above shows, conditions were perfect. So, for at least the 500th time, I did it again!
*Warning: adults should never attempt this climb without supervision of a child.
November 26th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I am really surprised at the lack of snow at the “summit!” I would never attempt “that” climb without the services of a qualified guide-preferably a three year old. Did you require oxygen at the peak?
Mike
November 27th, 2007 at 7:52 am
I hate to brag, but I always summit Mt Munson without oxygen. I consider myself a sherpa.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:29 am
……….but can you hit a softball to the top?
November 27th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I cannot hit a softball to the top from base camp 1. But, I can hit a softball from the top to the bottom. It’s the same distance.
November 27th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I think you’re funny! I’m going to put it in the bulletin this Sunday that you will be taking our entire 2-3 year old class to Munson after church. They then will be staying the night at your house and will be expecting ice cream sundaes. You’re so good with children!
November 29th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
This is very funny, John. It is my absolute favorite one of all your blog articles.