>>1371318When I was young I escaped to the desert because I saw cycles of violence in my life that I knew I had the power to end. Out in the middle of nowhere I met a man named Kyle Beauphis. He became a mentor to me; taught me how to climb, to navigate, to hunt and find water but more than that he showed me I had the means I needed to take back my own life. I became very sick, and had to leave the West. He was like family to me, but we lost contact nonetheless, because I didn't have the courage to tell him what I was diagnosed with, that in all likelihood at the age of 19, I was going to die.
I was very sick for three long years, but I held my own and slowly recovered. Much of that fight was possible because I wanted to get back to those wonderful wild places, because of all that he'd taught me about the strength in letting go. As I healed, I started to re-gather the people in my life, to apologize for leaving them. I tried calling, but he wouldn't answer. I figured he got a new number, so I turned to Facebook to find him. In early 2016, Kyle was on an expedition up Mt. Rainier in Washington State, when some of his party's equipment failed. He made the best risk assessment possible, and descended alone to get help. On the way, he was caught in a freak snowstorm and died. I never got the chance to thank him, for showing me the way to survive, and for this I will never forgive myself.
I work as a guide now. I lead mountaineering expeditions into very dangerous places. The only reason I can do so is because of everything he taught me. His work was left unfinished, so carrying on in his place is the truest way I have to honor him. When I am out there I know that he is with me. I channel his fighting spirit and those of the great mountain guides before us, and I teach my students to do so too. He lives on in our hearts. In a way, he will never truly die.
I miss you man.
