Mt Whitney - The Journey

Applying to Join Backpacker Magazine

It's hard to believe it's been just over 9 months already since I applied to join Backpacker Magazine and their editor Jonathan Dorn to climb Mt Whitney, the highest point in the "lower" 48 states.  Knowing it would be an incredible journey if I was picked not only because would it provide me a chance to combine skills I've gained from various other climbing and hiking I've done into an actual mountaineering experience, but also because it was in conjunction with Summit For Someone (SFS).  I've seen the ads in Backpacker Magazine for years, checked out their website for climbs and have contemplated going on a journey with them because of what SFS stands for and how it supports and benefits Big City Mountaineers.

And with the help of a lot of friends who showed their support by posting comments on my "I Want to Climb Mt Whitney" blog post about why I should be selected, I found out in October 2012 I was selected.

Getting Selected to Climb Mt Whitney

I think the day I found out I was selected to go along on this journey I went through a lot of emotions.

• Excitement - wow, I was going to get to do this.
• Worry - do I have a pet sitter?  My parents will be in Hawaii in April.
• Distress - What did I get myself into?  
• I now have to raise $4,000 
• I have to train for another climb (having just done Mt Kilimanjaro earlier in 2012)

But again - all of the things I was worried about fell in place.  My parents arrive back the day before I leave - pets will be taken care of.  Training started immediately in October and I'm feeling pretty good and strong. And again, incredible friends reached out to me when I put out the call that I was going to climb Mt Whitney and helped me to raise the money for this great cause.

And Now It's Time to Climb Mt Whitney

• The training is done.  
• The gear not already owned is purchased.  
• Test packing all this gear in the pack is done.
• Travel from Las Vegas to Lone Pine is coordinated.
• Mentally, I am prepared!

And most importantly - team Whitney Four-Teeners is psyched about what we're doing, the reason we're doing it and having the opportunity to meet and make some new lifelong friends.

And as John Muir said  -  "The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go."  

The time has come, the journey begins and a summit is within our near future.  Mt Whitney - here I come!

Summiting Mt Kilimanjaro

I did it!!  I made it to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest point on the continent of Africa. 

Top of Africa - March 13, 2012

The trip and experience was well worth it.  The group of guys I went with were a blast and the Aussie that joined our group fit in well.  Climb Kili's guides and the team did an amazing job for us.  It's amazing the work the porters did for us and they still welcomed us to camp with a song and dance.

The surprising part to me was that with all the training I did, the actual trekking was easier than I expected.  The pace was slow and steady with the perfect amount of time to acclimate to the climate.  The toughest part for me was the summit day.  And I don't think it was the toughest because of the 4,000 foot climb to the top, but rather the diamox I was taking to help with breathing in higher elevations wore off about 2 1/2 hours before we summited.  Instead of taking a break to dig another pill out of my bag, I continued on hiking.  I ended up slowing down and working harder to breathe, but still made it to the top.  Lesson learned - next time take the break and take the pill. 

Would I do it again?
Yes, I would do it all over again.  If I ever do go up Kilimanjaro again, the next trip would include a night in the crater.  The crater was amazing looking.  We only got to see it from the top, I think it would be cool to trek down there and spend some time there.

Glaciers of Kilimanjaro

Overall the trip was amazing and I can't recommend enough taking the time to visit Tanzania and taking a trek up Kilimanjaro.  And then don't forget to reward yourself afterwards with a safari trip.  I would recommend the Ngoro Crater - it had all types of wildlife to see.  And considering I really wanted to see some lions, I got my wish.  This group passed in front of my truck and eventually met up with another group of lions.  Total, I saw 12 lions.  Too bad the zebras smelled them and took off, these lions were definitely looking like they wanted to hunt.

Lions in the Ngoro Crater

Next up?  Taking another summer of "mini vacations" and taking my dogs camping.  Maybe a fall trip to Northern Michigan / Canada to do some backpacking with the dogs.  And then out to Washington State to close out 2012. 

Next Adventure
Realistically it will have to wait until 2013.  And will probably include something more technical than climbing Kili.  I would like to try

• Climbing Mt Rainier (Disappointment Clever approach)
• Take on Summit #2 - Aconcagua (South America's highest point - ~3,400 feet higher than Kili)
• Hiking / Camping / Climbing on Antartica

Yes, I may be crazy - but you only live life once.  And why not experience what other's only dream about. 

2012 Adventures - Here I Come

So 2011 ended up being a good year.  A number of adventures taken, new places visited and a goal met of camping/backpacking and sleeping in a tent 40 nights.  Night 40 came on a backpack trip in the McCormick Wilderness in northern Michigan on December 29th. 

Now for 2012...

A little over a month ago I was asked if I had ever climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and if not had an interest.  And since I hadn't climbed it, of course I was interested.  So it is, I will be going to Tanzania in March and climbing Kili.  Yes, that's two months from now.  It's very exciting and I am looking forward to it.  Wow, Kili!  All I can think is thank goodness I love to hike, backpack and just being outside.  It turns out everything I did in 2011 has helped me to prepare for this trip.  And having already planned a winter backpacking trip in February to the Pacific NW, this should help in preparations. 

As for the rest of 2012 - who knows yet.  More camping with the dogs, snowshoeing with friends, and just continuing the love of the outdoors.  Where that will all happen, who knows yet.  Looking forward to a good 2012 in the great outdoors.