Scaling Heights: Laura Clark's Inspiring Journey
Adventure, resilience, and empowerment—these are the words that best describe Laura Clark's remarkable journey. In a recent heartfelt conversation on the Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel, Laura Clark shared the profound experiences and challenges she encountered on her path to becoming the first woman to solo summit all of Colorado's "Fourteeners" and the state's 200 highest peaks an achievement detailed in her book, Wild Wanderer: Summiting Colorado's 200 Highest Peaks.
Growing up in urban Southern California, Laura discovered early that her form of rebellion was the tranquility of nature and hiking. Her move to Colorado marked the turning point, transforming a hobby into an obsession. Here, she discovered the Colorado Fourteeners—peaks rising above 14,000 feet—and realized she had found her calling. This calling would not only test her physical limits but also shape her character and resilience through the transformative power of nature.
First Peaks and Lasting Lessons
Laura's first summit, Pikes Peak, wasn't just physically demanding—it became a catalyst for her future. Leading a group of Girl Scouts, Laura encountered a freak snowstorm that tested their survival skills and camaraderie. It taught her the profound lesson that mountains often have unpredictable weather and that preparedness and teamwork are crucial for survival. This experience fueled her passion and ignited her determination to climb even more challenging mountains.
The Solo Journey
Laura's journey to solo summiting over 600 peaks above 13,000 feet wasn't planned initially. It was born out of necessity due to the difficulty of finding partners willing to tackle such challenging ascents. She recounted that solo hiking taught her valuable lessons in self-reliance, mental resilience, and overcoming fear. She discovered that the most significant obstacles were often mental, not physical. Laura learned to navigate exhaustion, false summits, harsh weather, and even a life-threatening incident involving falling into icy waters. Each challenge reinforced her belief in her capabilities and the importance of mental fortitude.
Trailblazing Challenges
Being the first woman to solo summit the Fourteeners and Centennial peaks brought Laura unexpected challenges. She faced skepticism and criticism, particularly from a male-dominated mountaineering community. However, the female community's support and inner resolve enabled her to overcome these external and internal barriers. Her mantra became, "Don't live your life through someone else's fears."
Lessons Beyond the Mountains
Laura's experiences extend beyond climbing mountains, profoundly impacting her approach to life and relationships. Solo hiking provided a therapeutic space for introspection and emotional healing, allowing her to process life's challenges in solitude and clarity. Additionally, her longstanding involvement with Girl Scouts as both a scout and leader helped instill values of environmental stewardship, survival skills, and leadership skills she passionately passes on to younger generations.
Advice for Aspiring Adventurers
Laura emphasizes the importance of preparedness for those considering their adventures. Her top recommendations include taking first aid and wilderness survival courses, always informing someone about your hiking plans, and carrying a trekking pole for safety. She encourages beginners to start with familiar, popular trails to build confidence before attempting solo hikes or more challenging climbs, providing a roadmap for those who seek to follow in her footsteps.
A Life of Adventure
Laura continues to embrace new challenges, planning future adventures in South America and constantly updating her extensive bucket list. Her enthusiasm extends into other passions, including homesteading, hiking nearly 150 days a year, and balancing a full-time job. She is a living testament to the fact that a life of adventure is not just a phase, but a way of life.
Her book, Wild Wanderer, isn't just a record of her achievements; it's an inspiration for anyone looking to find courage and self-discovery through the transformative power of nature.
Laura Clark's journey is a testament to human resilience and the extraordinary things we can achieve when we venture beyond our comfort zones. Laura's story reminds us that no dream is too high and no challenge is too great.
You can purchase a copy of Laura's book here: Buy
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