Mason's Story
Mason shares his journey through depression and loss, and how climbing the Seven Summits is helping him build hope, resilience, and purpose.
"I want to create a positive change and inspire the youth around me to face the mountains in their own lives and stand up for what they are passionate about."
One foot down, then the other. Just one step at a time, I have always told myself. I have to be stronger than who I was yesterday.
Since I was young, climbing mountains has been on my mind. I grew up watching Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Alex Honnold in documentaries like Meru or Free Solo thinking this could be me.
I wanted to climb.
I needed to climb.
I had my sights set out on the Seven Summits, which are the tallest peaks on each of the seven continents: Puncak Jaya, Vinson Massif, Mount Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Denali, Aconcagua and Mount Everest
I remember reading No Summit Out of Sight by Jordan Romero and Linda J. LeBlanc as a kid and being in absolute awe. This is possible, I thought to myself, I could do this. However, the Seven Summits would have to wait. I was growing up, and life was starting to get busy. As I entered freshman year of high school, I was faced with so many new experiences. Right out of the Covid-19 pandemic, not sure of who I was and unable to find my own crowd. I was facing my own mountains to climb. Could I climb them? Could I pass the test?
Those mountains to climb, those tests to pass were how I was dealing with my own severe anxiety and depression. I felt alone in the world, angry at myself and those around me for countless things that I could not control. I didn’t know how to back off. It got to the point where I was debating ending my own life.
One foot down, then another. One more step.
Breathe.
I began talking to people and working through these struggles. As I did that, only then did I realize that it takes a team to climb a mountain, and having that team did not make me weaker. This was not just something I could do on my own. With their support, for the time being, I would press onward.
I ended up switching high schools in my junior year. This presented me with a clean slate and an opportunity for me to start fresh. It was amazing, and that school changed my life. The new environment, unorthodox approach to learning, and new friends that I would make would further prove that point. But the year would not go without struggle.
In April of my junior year, I lost two friends to suicide within the space of a month. I almost lost a third, but luckily, he is still with us today. Those losses, along with multiple other passings in my family, nearly broke me. To this day I still struggle knowing these friends and family are no longer in my life. By some miracle, perseverance or whatever you may call it, I made it through to fight another day. Now, with the support of loved ones looking over me.
I will not fail.
With the losses of friends and family, and my own challenges with my mental health, I could now perceive how much those around me were struggling to climb their own mountains. I would always tell myself; I have to be strong. If I could help even one of these people, then there is hope, and hope is God. I have seen the extent of how abuse, addiction and mental health issues can affect someone. I made a promise to myself that I will not lose another friend to suicide. That still holds true to this day. I strive to support those around me as best as I can, and advocate for those who may silently fight their own battles.
Now, at the time of writing this I am 19 and a freshman in college. I’d like to think I have a decent head on my shoulders, and I have come to realize that when I am not outside, moving, or physically and mentally exhausted, I have this grey cloud that just follows me around, almost like a constant fog of depression. I know I could be out partying or having fun, but I have my sights set elsewhere. I have this desire to push myself and figure out what I truly am capable of achieving. While in college, my mind has returned to that childhood dream of the Seven Summits. Now more passionate than ever, realizing that this is within the realm of possibility.
I want to do this.
Kong-Style.
I will never climb just to climb. Not on the big mountains.
No way.
My goal is a massive undertaking, and if I climb with purpose beyond myself, I can spread mental health awareness along the way. There are three main reasons that I will be climbing the Seven Summits.
- First, I want to show people that no matter their age or background, they are capable of overcoming any challenges or mountains life may have in store.
- Second, to raise awareness for men’s mental health, and support the community that still continues to have stigmas around speaking up and asking for help.
- Lastly, I want to create a positive change and inspire the youth around me to face the mountains in their own lives and stand up for what they are passionate about. Kong-Style. The only way I can climb.
This project will be divided into three phases.
- Phase One will include Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Denali.
- Phase Two will include Puncak Jaya and Vinson Massif.
- Phase Three will include Mount Elbrus and Mount Everest, along with Manaslu or Gasherbrum 2 to ensure I can properly function above 8000 meters.
I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro August of 2026 to kick off Phase One. One foot forward, I plan to climb them all. For those who feel like they can’t.
Mason Kong
Minnesota, United States
_masonkong
Through his journey climbing the Seven Summits, Mason is raising funds for HeadsUpGuys to support men facing depression and help break the stigma around mental health. You can support him here: