UNPLUG. Magazine
Peaks and Plains
Unplug. Team
PUBLISHER
NATALIE GARGIULO
MANAGING EDITOR
KAY ESPOSITO
CONTENT DIRECTOR
JESSICA MITCHELL
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
AARON WILLIAMS
SYDNEY STONE
ADVERTISING
JOSHUA DAVID
A Climber’s Story
Conquering the Summit
As the morning sun cast a golden glow over the rugged peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, Alex Carter laced up his climbing shoes, chalked his hands, and prepared for the final push to the summit of a towering granite boulder For Carter, a seasoned climber with years of experience tackling some of the most challenging routes in the country, this ascent was more than just another climb it was the culmination of months of training, perseverance, and an unrelenting passion for the sport
Carter, 31, had spent years traveling the United States in search of the most demanding and scenic climbs From the sandstone cliffs of Red Rock Canyon in Nevada to the towering faces of Yosemite’s El Capitan, he had tested his skills against some of the most iconic formations in the country. But this climb, a daring boulder summit in Colorado, presented a unique challenge
“This is one of those climbs that requires everything strength, technique, and mental focus,” Carter said as he surveyed the towering rock face “It’s not just about getting to the top It’s about the process, the problem-solving, and the experience of pushing yourself past what you thought was possible ”
THE ASCENT BEGINS A
Journey of Grit and Determination
The climb he had chosen, known as The Sentinel, was an imposing granite monolith rising more than 60 feet from its base, with razor-thin cracks, sheer overhangs, and minimal handholds It was a problem that only a handful of climbers had successfully completed, making it a coveted challenge for those in the climbing community
As Carter made his first moves up the boulder, his body moved with precision, each grip and foothold deliberate The initial section required delicate footwork and balance, with small ledges serving as the only points of contact. With every move upward, his breathing remained steady, his hands coated in a fine layer of chalk to prevent slipping
The crux of the climb—the most difficult section—came about 40 feet up, where an overhanging ledge forced Carter to rely on his upper body strength to transition from one grip to the next His fingers clung to a narrow seam in the rock as he reached for the next hold, a move that required not just power but absolute confidence in his ability
THE MENTAL BATTLE
“I had rehearsed this section so many times in my head,” Carter later recalled “There’s no room for doubt when you’re in the middle of it. You just have to trust yourself, commit, and execute ”
For many climbers, the physical demands of the sport are only half the battle The mental aspect—the ability to remain calm under pressure, to focus entirely on the present moment—is what often separates success from failure
Carter knew this well. He had faced moments of doubt in past climbs, times when fatigue or fear threatened to overtake his confidence But experience had taught him how to silence those thoughts, to channel his energy into precise movement and unwavering determination
VICTORY AT THE TOP
Standing atop The Sentinel, Carter took in the sweeping view of the Rocky Mountains stretching endlessly into the horizon The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming, a feeling that only climbers truly understand—the reward of pushing past limits, of embracing discomfort in pursuit of something greater
“It’s not about conquering the rock,” Carter said, gazing down at the path he had just climbed “It’s about what you learn along the way—about yourself, your limits, and your ability to keep going even when it gets tough.”
As he neared the summit, his muscles burned with exertion, but his focus never wavered. He reached the final section—a smooth, almost featureless slab that required careful balance and delicate foot placement A deep breath, a steady push, and then —he was there
For Carter, this climb was just another step in a lifelong journey With each ascent, he found new ways to challenge himself, to explore the natural world in its rawest form And as he began his careful descent back to solid ground, he was already thinking about the next summit, the next challenge waiting to be conquered
A JOURNEY THROUGH UPSTATE
EXPLORING THE PEAKS AND PLAINS
TIPS EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS.
Butashereachedthetop,thestrugglewasforgotten.TheviewfromMount Marcywasnothingshortofbreathtaking—milesofuntouchedwilderness stretchingineverydirection,thepeaksoftheHighPeaksregionrisinglikeancient sentinelsabovethelandscape.
“There’ssomethinghumblingaboutstandinguphere,”Callowaysaid,hisvoicebarely audibleoverthewind.“Yourealizehowsmallyouare,howvastandwildthisplace stillis.Andthat’sthebeautyofit.”
AJourneyWorthTaking
Afteranightspentunderaskyfilledwithstars,Callowaybeganhisdescent, retracinghisstepsbackthroughtheforestsandplainsthathadcarriedhimtothe peak.Hismusclesached,hisbootswerecakedinmud,buthisspiritwaslight.
Forhim,thisjourneyhadneverbeenaboutconqueringamountain.Itwasabout theexperience thequietmomentsinthegrasslands,thesoundofthewind throughthetrees,thefeelingofstandingonthehighestpointinNewYorkand knowinghehadearnedtheview.
