Stephen Koch

I saw Cory Richard’s short film, COLD, on Saturday at the Adventure Film Festival’s Jackson stop. The rawness and honesty of the writing moved me. I liked how Cory narrated it and told it like it was. This past February 2, 2011, Simone Moro, Cory Richards, and Denis Urubko experienced brutal COLD as they completed the first winter ascent of Gasherbrum II (8,035m/26,362′) in Pakistan, the thirteenth highest mountain in the world. Not only was this the first of five 8,000ers in Pakistan to get a winter ascent, but was the first time an American climber made a first winter ascent of an 8,000 meter peak.

After their ballsy go for broke lay it all on the line before during and after the 36 hours of possible good weather ascent, as they are descending in the teeth of the storm, totally shattered physically, mentally and emotionally, they are hit by a massive avalanche. As Cory’s tears flowed with relief at being alive, fear and possible disgust at himself for risking it all while his new wife is at home alone, I was touched. This moment in COLD brought me back in time, back to 1998 to Mount Owen, where I was going for my own bit of glory, the first descent (ski or snowboard) of the North East Snowfields of Mount Owen. It was here that I was also taken by an avalanche. I am sure that I would have cried if I hadn’t to use all my energy for survival. I also would have used a cell phone if I had one. Or a SPOT satellite rescue beacon, but those things were not available to the masses in 1998. What I did experience while watching them stand from the avalanche was relief. Relief that they were alive. I also felt deep gratitude my life was not extinguished that day. And happiness at having found my spectacular wife who has bore me two beautiful sons.

Life goes on, especially after harrowing experiences. And with the super challenging experiences comes growth and renewal. My body has healed, my ambitions in the mountains have mellowed and now I am looking towards a bright future after serious struggle the past several years. In my envisioned future, I find new goals and the strength and determination to find a way to accomplish them. I owe it to myself and to my family to learn to thrive outside of the mountains. The way down below is much less obvious and wrought with (at least for me) severe challenges. But with boldness and humility I will succeed.

And Below is the trailer:

COLD – TRAILER from Forge Motion Pictures on Vimeo.

Stay warm on your next epic with a Down Jacket from Backcountry.com. I always carry one with me now when I venture into the mountains in winter.