YouTuber Kira Shannon summits highest peak in Costa Rica as experiencing 'incredible emotions'

YouTube star Kira Shannon has talked about her experience summiting Cerro Chirripó in Costa Rica.

YouTuber Kira Shannon’s passions go beyond creating content for her 1.5 million online followers. While her excitement for adventure can be seen in her lifestyle vlogs, it’s her love of solo traveling that sets her apart from the rest.

Notably, Kira summited Costa Rica’s highest mountain, Cerro Chirripó. Named after the “land of eternal waters,” Chirripó sits at 3,821 meters (12,533 feet) high and bestows one of the most beautiful landscapes during sunrise, where both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts can be spotted on clear days.

In a new interview with Mirror US, the YouTuber explained how deep-rooted her relationship is with hiking, saying it’s the “challenge” of it all that triggers “incredible gratification,” adding, “I find my favorite way to experience awe is in art and nature.”

With a view like no other waiting for her at the top, Kira was determined to summit the mountain; however, like many climbers, she began to second-guess herself along the way.

“I was doubtful throughout most of the hike that I would be able to finish it,” she elaborated.

“I tried as much as possible to separate that voice in my head from my personal narrative, and instead of letting it consume me, I used it as motivation to prove the part of myself wrong that was doubtful.”

Kira noted that by combining her strong will with her innate confidence, she was able to push through the climb. “I believe that as we extract and eliminate self-doubt, it recalibrates our thought patterns and self-esteem and allows us to do more advanced challenges and mitigate the risks that come with them more effectively,” the YouTuber shared.

When she was at the entrance to the national park, Kira was inspired by a sign that read, “From my weakness, I got a strength that never left me,” something that stuck in her mind as she journeyed to its peak.

It would be that quote that led to several “breakthrough moments” for Kira.

“I was motivated by this quote because as the trail exposed my physical and mental weaknesses, I was able to persevere; I was hopeful that the strength and fortitude waiting for me on the other side would be worthwhile and integral to character growth,” Kira explained.

“There were moments that were incredibly difficult during the hike, as the elevation and steep uphill nature of the trail made it difficult to continue on,” she added.

When Kira finally summited Chirripó, she realized she needed to return for another round. The YouTuber plans to give the mountain another climb during her next visit to Costa Rica, where she travels for one month every year.

In the meantime, Kira plans to hike in Peru and share her experience through vlogs on her YouTube channel.

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