She Explores Trust the Timing: Ski Mountaineer Caroline Gleich
Caroline Gleich is a ski mountaineer who knows the meaning of scary but rewarding: whether she's climbing 8,000 meter mountains in the Himalayas or anticipating her future as an adventure-seeking wife and mom. Years of hard work have brought her here and while she's a self described late bloomer, Caroline's learned to trust the timing in her life.
Looking back on 2018, Caroline shared on her Instagram that she summited 72 peaks and climbed 489,704 human powered vertical feet of uphill. Included in these peaks and vertical feet was the 6th highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu. We talked with Caroline about that climb and the family she sees in her future. Even though she’s ski mountaineered some of the tallest mountains in the world, her thoughts on fear, self-trust, and creating the life she wants for herself hit close to home.
Plus, we catch up with Karen Wang two years after we interviewed her for Episode 9, After the Pacific Crest Trail.
Women featured in this episode: Caroline Gleich and Karen Wang
Hosted by Gale Straub
The She Explores Book is now available for presale! Learn more here
In this episode you'll hear:
- What surprised Caroline about her climb of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world
- Why she continues to ski mountaineer despite the inherent risks
- How altitude sickness almost cost her the summit
- Why she proposed to her fiancé and not the other way around
- How what she learned on Cho Oyu will help her on her spring climb of Everest
- How Caroline copes with pre-trip anxiety and post-trip depression
- Why getting married and planning to have kids feels scarier than a big mountaineering trip
- Our up with Karen Wang two years after her "After the Pacific Crest Trail" interview
Sponsored by ThirdLove
Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group
Learn more at She-Explores.com
Sponsor Websites and Codes
- Thirdlove.com/explore: For 15% off your first purchase
Resources
- Caroline Gleich: Instagram & Website
- Karen Wang: Photography/Website & Blog
- Episode 9 - After the Pacific Crest Trail: Karen Wang
- Follow Through: A Film about Caroline by REI & Duct Tape Then Beer
- Headspace App
- RANGER Station Schedule at Outdoor Retailer trade show
- Natives Outdoors
- Flash Foxy
- She Explores Book, available for Pre-order!
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by Steve Combs, Mise, Josh Woodward, Evan Schaffer, and Meydan using a Creative Commons Attribution license.