Inspirations... Friends, Training and the Unknown

It's hard to believe tomorrow is already March 1st.  Less than two months away from my big adventure to climb Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous 48 states.

The journey so far has been very inspiring for me.  What's inspired me?

• My absolutely amazing friends and network of support.  Because this adventure is also a benefit climb to support Big City Mountaineers through Summit for Someone, I'm really finding out how absolutely amazing my friends are.  When initially selected by Backpacker Magazine to join them in this journey, my biggest fear was not the actual climb itself, but rather the thought that I was going to have to go out and raise $4,000 for the benefit.  My friends have supported me through this by donating both their hard earned money and talents through having their bands play a benefit.  I'm just humbled by all of this.

• Training - Getting ready for an adventure requires a lot of dedication and training to prepare for the trip.  Inspiration for training comes from a number of sources, including
• My fellow climbers and I've never even met them yet. 
• Again, my absolutely amazing friends.  Joining me on snowshoeing trips.  Asking me how training is going.  Training yourselves (that always makes me want to push harder.)   

• The Unknown - 
• Having done ice climbing, hiking, snowshoeing, rock climbing, backpacking, etc - but never having to do all of it on the same trip, inspiring.  
• Getting ready to meet a group of people I've never met before who all love to do the same things I do, inspiring.
• Knowing I'll help at-risk youth I'll never meet to succeed in life, inspiring.  

There are so many unknowns with this trip, as with most trips, but that's part of the adventure.  And what is life without any adventures.  Adventures are what inspires me.