Day 4: Divide, Decide, and Commit

Today we split the team.

Joe, Jacob, and Jonathan headed out to ski off the longest tram in the world. Big terrain, big exposure, and a chance for them to keep building confidence in a way that matched where they are right now.

And me?

I went up to the hut with James and Maya.

Because tomorrow… is a big day.

The Plan

We’re going for a summit attempt on April 30th.

It’s not a casual day.

Roughly 7,000 vertical feet up
And 9,000 vertical feet down on skis

In less-than-ideal conditions.

The kind of day that requires everything:

Fitness.
Focus.
Decision-making.
And a willingness to stay in it when it gets long.

If all goes well, we’ll be back down in town by dinner.

Which sounds simple… until you realize what it takes to make that happen.

The Turnaround Window

Because the day doesn’t end at the summit.

It ends when you’re safely back.

So the plan is:

Get down.
Shower.
Unpack.
Repack.

And get ready to go again.

The Decision About the Boys

I made a call today.

One that I knew was coming, but still carried weight.

The distance and the exposure, especially the serac section, is just too much for them right now.

So on May 1st, we’re adjusting.

They’ll take a helicopter to bypass that section and still get the experience of going for the summit… without carrying unnecessary risk.

Leadership Lesson: The Goal Isn’t to Prove Toughness. It’s to Make Smart Decisions

There’s always a temptation to push.

To say,we’ll just do it the hard way.

But leadership, especially as a parent, is knowing when to adjust the plan so the experience stays powerful… and the risk stays appropriate.

This doesn’t take away from what they’ll do.

It allows them to step into it fully.

The Part I’m Sitting With

If things line up…

I’ll summit Mont Blanc two days in a row.

Once from the hut tomorrow.

And again with the boys the next day on the helicopter.

Even writing that feels big.

Leadership Lesson: You Don’t Shrink the Goal. You Expand to Meet It

There’s a moment where you can either pull back…

Or you can say:

This is challenging. And I like challenges.

Not because it’s easy.

But because it asks more of you.

And you’re willing to give it.

Gratitude in the Middle of It All

Spirits are high.

And I’m very aware of what’s making that possible.

Our guides have been incredible.

Navigating changing weather, shifting plans, and finding options that give all of us a real shot at summiting… safely.

Because that’s the goal.

Not just the summit.

But getting there in a way that we come home.

Where We Are Tonight

At the hut.

Gear ready.
Plan set.
Energy focused.

Tomorrow is a big push.

The kind of day you train for.

The kind of day you respect.

Final Thought

I keep reminding myself:

This is hard.
And I chose it.

And I’m grateful to even be in a position where this is possible.

Tomorrow… we climb.