Exhaling a laboured breath from deep within my chest, “a little while longer, just a little while longer” I assure myself. My eyes dart up to the seemingly vast, endless blanket of white hugging the rocky mountainside. My mind is plagued by draining ruminations. Inhale. Exhale. I refuse to let myself become incapacitated by these pessimistic worries. I am here to demonstrate to myself that I can endure, that I am stronger than my mind- I’m here to solidify I am more than my fears, more than the raging storm wreaking havoc in my mind. With a new found determination I continue my acsend, each step proving to myself I am much stronger than I think.