UNCATEGORIZED

Former BYU linebacker summits Himalayan peak, eyes Everest

May 12, 2018, 9:12 AM | Updated: 2:17 pm

BOUNTIFUL, Utah—A former BYU football linebacker has ascended to new heights as an aspiring mountaineer.

Cameron Jensen, who starred for the Cougars’ defense over a decade ago, has since returned to his boyhood passion of reaching high places.

Jensen encourages others who are determined to climb to new heights to continue to reach toward their own goals.

“It’s just stayed with me throughout my life,” Jensen said.

In late March, Jensen traveled to Nepal and over two-and-a-half weeks hiked and climbed as much as 6 hours per day to reach the base camp of Mount Everest.

“The Himalayas—I mean, they are just a totally different view,” Jensen said. “It’s just like, ‘wow,’ that’s the tallest point on this earth!”

Rather than attempt to summit Everest, Jensen continued with a group to the 20,305-foot summit of neighboring Island Peak, or Imja Tse.

“I haven’t felt anything like that until that summit day than it was like football and workouts,” Jensen said. “To feel that again and just to challenge yourself in something like that, man I loved it—such a great experience!”

The journey wasn’t without peril.  At one point, Jensen found himself crossing a bridge made of metal ladders that had been tied together.

“When you’re looking at 5 ladders and a 60- or 70-foot drop-off right there, you’re starting to question, ‘should I be doing this?’” he shared.

Jensen, a tech entrepreneur, has always pushed himself to achieve more.

Jensen is now eyeing a new journey to the Everest summit in the coming years.

“There’s something with my sports background that I’ve always loved pushing my body and that mental aspect—when everything’s saying, ‘no, stop, stop, stop,’ and your mind kind of takes over and tells you to go,” Jensen explained.

He said his career in football, which brought him to the precipice of the pros, has helped him as a mountaineer.

“I thought there’s a lot of correlation of the grit mentality, because climbing is endured suffering,” Jensen said. “When you’ve done hard things, climbing isn’t as hard.”

Having survived the Imja Tse climb, Jensen is now eyeing a new journey to the Everest summit in the coming years.

“I’m doing a few things before to give me the experience that I need,” he said. “I definitely want to try at some point to do Everest.”

He encourages others who are determined to climb to new heights to continue to reach toward their goals.

“Hey—(it’s) step-by-step, step-by-step, right?” Jensen said. “Focus on your goal and take it step-by-step. That’s what I did. That’s what the best ones do.”

 

KSL 5 TV Live

Uncategorized

Luanne Monson

Get Gephardt: Medical Bill Mess TONIGHT 10PM

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook

17 hours ago

Luanne Monson

Get Gephardt: Medical Bill Mess MONDAY 10PM

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook

17 hours ago

Luanne Monson

Digital Inheritance TONIGHT 10PM

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook

8 days ago

Luanne Monson

Digital Inheritance MONDAY 10PM

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook

8 days ago

The Utah Committee for the Games in Salt Lake City presented their final pitch to the IOC on Tuesda...

Alex Cabrero and Mary Culbertson, KSL TV

Utah Committee for the Olympic Games makes final pitch to IOC

The Utah Committee for the Olympic Games presented its final pitch to the IOC on Tuesday, detailing the housekeeping plans of how Salt Lake will host the games in 2034.

17 days ago

Ellie Sabin, a Skyridge High School Student, playing Elsa in the school's production of 'Frozen the...

Mike Anderson and Mary Culbertson, KSL TV

Skyridge High earns first-in-Utah ‘Frozen’ musical rights

Frozen the Musical is only allowed by Disney for one high school each year to put it on. This year, Skyridge High takes the stage and is full of excitement, spunk, and love.

23 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Former BYU linebacker summits Himalayan peak, eyes Everest