In the world of backcountry skiing, there is not much room for notoriety or accolade. In fact, most people shun the spotlight in hopes of getting away from civilization and reconnecting themselves with nature.
But there are some people who can’t escape a bit of press. One man, Greg Hill, has seen worldwide attention for his quest to attain, and completion of, skiing 2 million vertical feet in a single year. This does not include chairlifts; instead the 2 million vertical feet was also uphill … despite the numbers being logged in only one direction. That makes the record much more outstanding.
I had a chance to ask Greg a few questions about his amazing accomplishment, to get into his mind on what makes someone with such an amazing goal keep going, even when there are many who do not believe he can do it.
Steven Andrews: What made you want to ski 2 million vertical feet in a year?
Greg Hill: I am a math-based person–simple math, nothing too complex–but I planted trees for years and spent every day fixated on the number of trees I could plant. So I turned this math fixation into ski touring and started with trying to get my days bigger and bigger. Then I did a 5,500 foot day and realized that if I did that every day all year it would be 2 million. This was in 1999 and I thought it would be cool to do 2 million in the year 2000. I was not even close and I spent ten years getting faster, earning mountain sense, figuring out how to eat and push myself beyond what I could do. Eventually I went for it. There were many years before 2010 that I dreamed of doing it but always had an excuse.
SA: What did your friends/family think of the goal?
GH: My wife had been used to me setting ludicrous goals and she just figured this was another. She lived with me when I set the record of 50,000 feet in 24 hours; actually she was my pit crew. Then when I did a million, it didn’t feel too bad for her. So two mil seemed feasible to her, but in the end it was really hard on her.
SA: Were there doubters/naysayers?
GH: Lots of people. Even my Dad, who was always telling me to push harder and work harder–at 1.5 he suggested I take her easy and just set the bar at 1.7. I laughed and said no way.
SA: Did you notice any difference in people’s enthusiasm when you got closer to your goal?
GH: Many more people where psyched as they realized that I might make it.
SA: How did you stay motivated?
GH: I focused on my bigger goal but tried to enjoy the smaller daily ones. Keep doing small ones and eventually the larger ones will also get smaller. I am able to relax and get things done.
Clymb: Anything you’d like to say to our readers?
GH: Challenge is what we all seek, and it’s a personal thing. Find your own levels and expand them. Life is about progressing, and enjoying yourself.