Autobiography Title - In Search of Snow

A friend of mine put a post on Facebook asking "if you were writing an autobiography, what would the title be?"  Of course my answer was In Search of Snow.  And I started to wonder, why am I so fascinated by snow.

Snow Fascination

As far back as I can remember I've always waited for the snow to come.  And once it came I was like a kid in a candy store.  Growing up my parents provided us an appreciation (whether they know it or not) of the outdoors.  And I think I just appreciated the time more when there was cold weather and snow on the ground.  We camped, we snowmobiled, we ice fished and more.  I remember building snow forts, snowmen, sledding, and ice skating.  What other time of the year could you be so creative?

Snowmobiling in Northern Wisconsin

As an adult, my love of snow has continued.  I may no longer build forts or ride snowmobiles (prefer quiet sports now), but I still build snowmen and camp and now snowshoe, hike and more.  (Who knows, maybe this winter I'll build a fort.)

Snow Packed Vacations

Since around 2007/2008 snow and glaciers have been a major influence as to where I take my vacations.  Probably 95% or more of my vacations have been to places where I will be in or see snow and/or glaciers.  And now that we're seeing the melt off of our glaciers and snow packs, it's all that more important to me to find these areas.  Capture their essence in my memories and hopefully introduce their importance to others.

Fitz Roy & Torre Glacier - El Chalten, Argentina

I also find spending time outside in winter with the snow one of the greatest ways to unwind and relax.  It's one of the best ways to let your mind open up and let the freshness and newness around you in.  Maybe that's why it fascinates me.

Yes - my autobiography would be called In Search of Snow - and now I feel it's time to start planning that next search.  And then maybe ponder actually writing my autobiography.

Perrito Moreno Glacier

Fundraising, a Humbling Experience

Asking people for anything is not something I've had a lot of experience with.  As I'm preparing for my climb up Mt Whitney with Summit For Someone / Big City Mountaineers, I'm learning a whole new appreciation for anyone who works with, volunteers for or is involved with non-profit organizations.  You all do a very hard job and should be applauded for what you do.

I'm very appreciative of the people who've already donated on my behalf to Summit For Someone, you're all wonderful friends and you're making it easier to reach my goal of raising $4,000 by February.

Next up I'm going to try my hand at creating some fun events to also support the cause.  First I'm working to pull together some great local Milwaukee bands to play a fundraiser at a local bar (that's also a co-op, pretty cool).  Then... still planning.

But for anyone reading this blog - Thank You.  And save the date:

When:  January 11th, 2013
Where:  Riverwest Public House
What:  Live Bands

• Floor Model
• More to come...

Thank You All!!  

Training for Mt Whitney - the Fun Training Day

Mt Whitney Training Schedule

As I'm getting ready for my climb up Mt Whitney next April, I have a weekly workout schedule that Summit For Someone suggests we follow.  The schedule has us working out 5 days a week with Monday's and Friday's off.

The weekday schedule comprises of cross training, cardio and weight training.  Not bad, but now with it being dark in the morning and night, it means training indoors which isn't quite as much fun.  I've been trying to figure out what can I do to make it more exciting.  So I've decided to dig out my Pimsleur's Spanish CD and refresh my Spanish.  So if anyone sees me walking around speaking Spanish, don't be surprised.  Just answer me.  (habla Espanol?)

The weekend training is the best part.  Cross training and hiking.  I specifically like the hiking day.  It's not only good training for the trip, but I have some great friends who are coming along on the hikes and making the day all that more enjoyable.  You almost forget you're out there for a reason.  (Not that I really need a reason to hike.)

So a big thank you to my friends - I'm glad I have you all to make hiking all that much more fun!

Gracias!

Lapham Peak - Fall Colors and a Great Hike

Time to get ready for the big climb.  Though still 6 months off - it's never too early to start training.  And what better time to start training than in the fall.

Day 1 of training was an unexpected hike with the dogs at Lapham Peak in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest.  Saturday turned out to be a beautiful fall day and after taking Jasmine to the vet in the morning and getting some housework done, I couldn't take it any longer.  I needed to get out.  I decided to take the dogs out and do the 7 mile advanced black loop at Lapham Peak.  I'm not quite sure why it's "advanced", but maybe it's just me and my non-stop hiking and visits to as many mountains as possible that makes the hills on this trail seem fairly easy.

What started off as being a typical walk with the dogs in the woods and their normal 20 minute or so miles (they always seem to need to pee, poop or sniff something) turned out to be a brisk walk through the woods.  With the cooler temps, the dogs decided to move quick - even Wailea with her hip dysplasia and repaired knee.  What typically would have taken us about 2 1/2 hours or so ended up taking us just 2 hours.  Wow - those girls moved.

With that there only a few occasional breaks to enjoy some of the fall colors that were left.  What a perfect day, the remainder of the colors were bright and strikingly orange and red colors.  And what a perfect way to start training for the climb up Mt Whitney.  Based upon this, I'm hoping the rest of my training days go just as well.

Fall colors at Lapham Peak, Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

Climbing the Tower

After finishing the 7 mile hike in 2 hours, I let the dogs take a break while I took a quick run up the tower at the park to get an overhead view of the fall colors in the Delafield area.  Wow - it always amazes me, no matter what time of the year at how this area looks from above.

Fall colors from the tower at Lapham Peak, Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

Fall colors from the tower at Lapham Peak, Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

I think the best part of running to the top of the tower was the trip down.  As I was walking down the stairs of the tower I saw a group of kids running to get to the stairs to climb up.  And one of the kids exclaimed - "this is a high tower, but this isn't no Eiffel Tower".  No kid, you're right, it's not the Eiffel Tower, but it is a view into the heartland of Wisconsin in fall.  

Here's to hoping fall, winter and spring bring just as many beautiful days for training.  Because if so, training is going to be a blast.

To find out more about my bid to climb Mt Whitney with Summit for Someone and Backpacker Magazine - read some of the following:

• Climber Story
• Backpacker Magazine Makes Its Selections
• I Want to Climb Mt Whitney

Climbing Mt Whitney

Backpacker Magazine Makes It Selections

And yes, I was one of the lucky ones selected to join them for the summit attempt on Mt. Whitney.

First off, a big special thanks to everyone who made a comment on my blog post "I Want to Climb Mt Whitney" when I was pleading for them to select me.  All your comments helped.

And for those of you who don't know - Mt Whitney is the highest peak in the continental 48 states (find out more).  And it is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains which is on my bucket list of places to get to.

Big City Mountaineers

Why climb Mt Whitney?  Well - in response there two reasons.

1. Because as mentioned earlier - this area is on my bucket list and climbing Mt Whitney would be the best part of experiencing it.
2. Because it's going to help raise funds for a great cause - Big City Mountaineers

One of the greatest reasons I wanted to do this was because it's part of Summit For Someone.  They provide great opportunities for individuals to summit incredible mountains around the world all while raising funds for Big City Mountaineers.  This is something I've been wanting to do for years.  

Big City Mountaineers is a great cause and helps under resourced and at risk teens to gain valuable life skills through wilderness mentoring expeditions.  Some facts about the youth involved in the programs:

• 100% are eligible for free or reduced lunch programs
• 83% are from families that report an average household income of $15,000 or less
• 71% are from single parent or guardian-led households

After participating with Big City Mountaineers, 100% of the youth report significant improvements in:

• Commitment to Learning
• Positive Values
• Social Competencies
• Positive Identity

 (source: BigCityMountaineers.org)

So twofold for me.  We are able to help out youth who may never get to experience what the wilderness is like and provide positive influences through mentoring.  And (personal hope) that these youth gain an appreciation for our natural places and share that with their community of influence.

How Can You Help?

My climb is part of the fund raising program for Big City Mountaineers, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  As part of  my climb, I'm required to raise a minimum of $4,000 that will be used to help teens overcome a lifetime of challenges.

My Challenge To You

Help Me get there and help these youth get the opportunity to participate in this wonderful mentoring opportunity.

Donating is both easy and tax deductible.  

• Go to my Summit For Someone Climber Page
• Donate $100 or any amount you can give 
• Get a big thank you from me!!

Really - if you do donate, I want to thank you in advance.  Your donation and generosity will be greatly appreciated by those who are able to experience the Big City Mountaineers program.

Donate Now

Mother Nature's Paintbrush

Changing of the seasons

I think my favorite time for each season is when it changes into that season.  It seems like that's when you get the most vibrant and vivid colors.  Spring brings on the newness of green, summer the vibrant colors of the flowers, winter brings on the beauty of white and fall brings colors of all.

Fall in Wisconsin

This year I've been chasing the "mountains" of Wisconsin and the Driftless area of Wisconsin.  This fall I'm "Chasing the Rainbow" as Skittles would say and viewing Mother Nature's Paintbrush at work.   The colors of fall - the reds, yellows, oranges and even the browns - make you amazed at what nature can do.  It makes you take a step back and just pause to take it all in.

Fall Colors @ Peninsula State Park in Door County, WI

For me it just reminds me of being young, raking leaves and then running and jumping in the piles.  Makes you wonder what happened to those days.  Today I visited a store in Door County, WI on my way home and saw a sign that really made me think.  I can't remember exactly what it said, but I'll paraphrase.

As a child we learn to play and have fun.  Playing and fun do not go away when we get older, but live on inside of us.

Or something like that.  So if nature can change - I think we should too.  Take time to view those colors, build a pile of leaves and bring that child that is inside of you out.  Go jump in a pile of leaves!

Fall Colors at Peninsula State Park in Door County, WI

And if you need to know where in WI to find the color - here's my little secret (probably not so secret).
Fall Color Report (Travel Wisconsin).

I plan to take my own advice and go out and search for more of Mother Nature's Paintbrush and the fall colors next weekend.  This time, I'll combine my search for "mountains" in Wisconsin and the colors.  Because what better place to see fall colors than from atop a "mountain?"

Healing Powers of Nature

In a world like we live in today, I have found that escaping on weekends and going into the woods is the greatest way to heal a tired mind and body.

Over the last two years and summers, I've found myself drifting at every possible moment away from the city and away from the connections we've all become so dependent upon in our every day lives.  To leave behind the wireless connections and become unplugged and become at peace with nature is the best healing power I can think of.

Nature has a way of making us slow down and look at the world with our mind and our senses.  Our mind takes in what is around us and makes us aware of what is going on while making us contemplate our every day existences.  Our senses take in the beauty of the sky, forest, meadows and more while listening to the hustle and bustle of the earth moving and the animals making a survival.

Finding peace with nature begins with exploring nature

So if you ever feel stressed, keep in mind one of John Muir's great quotes:

"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away once in a while and climb a mount or spend a week in the woods.  Wash your spirit clean."

I like to take John Muir's advice because he is right.  Nature has great healing powers that we all can use.