Michelle West Accomplishes a Lofty Goal

Earlier this year at Weststates training in Elko I was inspired to climb a mountain.(Literally)  Totally Toni was sharing her hiking experience with us and it made me think about my goals and what I wanted to accomplish.

Years earlier I had climbed to a certain point on the famous “Angels Landing” in Zion National park, but I had never made it to the very top.  The last ½ mile was a very treacherous climb with sheer sandstone drop offs. I had planned that “someday” I would hike Angels landing again and go all the way to the 5785 foot high top. I was always waiting to be a certain dress size or a certain weight at which I thought was ideal to even think about that mountain climb. Of course that time never seemed to come. When I listened to Toni I realized I had to just set the goal and accomplish it instead of waiting on ‘the perfect time’ that may not ever come.  I decided to give myself a few months to build up strength and set the date for October 8^th, the weekend of mine and my husband’s 11^th wedding anniversary. So this past weekend, along with my husband and two friends, I climbed Angels Landing- all the way to the top. There were points where my feet were on 6 inch wide ledges and I was gripping the chain bolted into the side of the mountain, where I could not remember why I thought this was a good idea.

However, eight hours, a few bruises, skin rubbed raw from sandstone, and many sore muscles later I finished the hike.  It was an amazing sense of accomplishment.

I honestly do not think I would have even attempted this if it had not been for the Weststates training. I am so thankful for a company that not only cares about its employees- but also for people that their employees are.

One of the girls that did the hike with me has a son who is 7 years old and has stage IV Neuroblastoma. He is currently flying back and forth to NY for treatments. He made me a card for finishing my hike. At first I noticed the drawing, (and LOVED that he drew my husband falling on a cactus!) Then I fought back the tears as I read the other side.

Michelle West ~ Area Supervisor & Manger @ Millstream & Sun River Apartment

(see attached slide show at the right)