"I think it's good enough to just be passionate about something that you really care about, regardless of what this is. It doesn't need to be some complicated, deep thing... You're just lucky that you have something you're that psyched about and that passionate about."
- Josh Wharton
Colorado-based climber, Madaleine Sorkin, is considered one of a few women in North America who are highly active in the styles of adventurous and challenging free-climbing.. And just last fall she became the first woman (and 5th person ever) to redpoint the infamous Longs Peak Route, The Honeymoon Is Over.
"Sometimes you have to get more insecure than you want to in the end."
- Madaleine Sorkin
The Honeymoon Is Over is among the most difficult high-altitude rock climbs in the world, and is considered the most difficult route up the Longs Peak Diamond. It's unique in the sense that you are climbing at such a high altitude while tackling an equally difficult climb - even before the altitude is factored in. Hiking in can take 3 to 4 hours on it's own, which most people choose to do very early in the morning. For those of us familiar with Colorado weather, summers can bring thunderstorms in the blink of an eye; as a result, the route itself is often wet and the weather can be extremely unpredictable... Though it required several failed or partial attempts to tackle, she didn't give up.
"Actually failing doesn't feel that different from anything else. Thinking about failing or feeling like a failure - those feel terrifying."
- Madaleine Sorkin
With each attempt and failure, she was forced to muster deep for perseverance, and recall on her passion to reach the top. Check out the video below to witness how Sorkin approached the challenge and then achieved her goal!
