Conquering the Boot Ridge

The indoor tracks were too familiar, so I set my sights on the front door to see what lies beyond. Reaching the entryway wasn't the hard part—it was the massive row of rubber hiking boots blocking the threshold. Instead of turning back, I gripped my yellow bottle tight under one arm, leaned forward, and scaled the ribbed tread of a fallen sneaker. Using the thick woven shoelace like a climbing rope, I scrambled straight up to the tongue and hauled myself onto the leather rim. Standing atop that giant boot, I looked out through the slight crack under the front door. Fresh air caught my face, and the hallway ahead looks wide open.