I procrastinated just a little in sending my application. Fear! I've never done any mountaineering. The closest I've come to mountaineering is backpacking and hiking. But the climb was advertised as "beginner friendly" so I kept considering it.
Here's the announcement that started the whole thing for me: Climb Shasta with Me
Then there was the $4000 fundraising requirement. That's a lot of money and I am NO development director so that was a very overwhelming part of the challenge.
I generally keep these types of decisions quiet and this time was no different. But I talked to Lorrie about it a lot and she kept encouraging me to apply. I think she encouraged me so that I wouldn't regret not applying! Neither of us really thought I would be accepted for the climb. I didn't anyway! With my lack of experience and my "no name" identity, I didn't see why I would be.
But then I got an email from Darin Fearday, Director of Big City Mountaineers, welcoming me to the climb. WHAT??
So now I'm committed. I've got a ton of physical training to do and I need to figure out my mental strategy as well.
The Physical
I'm not sure but I'll keep doing yoga and walk/running the stairs for sure. Obviously some weight training is in my near future as well.
The Mental
At this point I need to work on some imagery and some self-talk. What I do know about summiting is that it can be slow intentional going and that one needs as much mental strength as physical to make it. Since I don't know what to expect, being a beginner, I need to do more research so the surprises are few.
The Emotional
For now…. nervousness and excitement are emotional flavors of the day!
Donate here: http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
The Invitation
From the Backpacker Magazine website...
In the January 2014 issue of BACKPACKER, I invited readers to join me on California’s Mt. Shasta, one of the country’s most beautiful volcanic peaks. The climb will be a great adventure, of course, and it’s also a way to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing today’s youth. Participants will be fundraising for Big City Mountaineers, a nonprofit that introduces urban teens to the outdoors.
A group of us will attempt the peak in June 2014 with guides from Shasta Mountain Guides and pro athletes from The North Face. We plan to reach the 14,179-foot summit via the crowd-free West Face. The readers who join the climb will get gear and training consultation from BACKPACKER editors, plus gear from our sponsors and cameos in a story about the climb.
How do you get on the team? Commit to raising $4,000, and register for the climb you prefer (June 5-7 or June 7-9). Darin Fearday, the Summit for Someone Director, will then approve you for your climb and help you to set up your donation page.
Your perks • Guiding and instruction from local experts • All meals on the trip • $750 worth of gear from BCM sponsors • Gear and fitness consultations from BACKPACKER Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter and other staff editors • Your picture in the magazine!
Best of all: Your fundraising will get under-resourced urban youth out on their own backpacking trips, where they’ll receive invaluable mentoring from adult volunteers. If your own love for the outdoors has inspired you to give back, you’ll never find a better opportunity. Let's do it together on Shasta.
To register for the 2014 Mt. Shasta climb, click here.
Dennis Lewon
Editor in Chief - Backpacker Magazine
Mt. Shasta is a great challenge for beginner and experienced climbers alike. The snow-covered West Face is an ideal route for learning ice axe and crampon skills, and instructors from Shasta Mountain Guides will make sure everyone is prepared. Over the three-day climb we’ll set up a basecamp in remote Hidden Valley, where we’ll stage our (hopefully!) successful summit bid. The route offers a much less crowded way of reaching this very popular peak, with spectacular vistas the entire way.
CLIMB SHASTA WITH ME
In the January 2014 issue of BACKPACKER, I invited readers to join me on California’s Mt. Shasta, one of the country’s most beautiful volcanic peaks. The climb will be a great adventure, of course, and it’s also a way to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing today’s youth. Participants will be fundraising for Big City Mountaineers, a nonprofit that introduces urban teens to the outdoors.
A group of us will attempt the peak in June 2014 with guides from Shasta Mountain Guides and pro athletes from The North Face. We plan to reach the 14,179-foot summit via the crowd-free West Face. The readers who join the climb will get gear and training consultation from BACKPACKER editors, plus gear from our sponsors and cameos in a story about the climb.
How do you get on the team? Commit to raising $4,000, and register for the climb you prefer (June 5-7 or June 7-9). Darin Fearday, the Summit for Someone Director, will then approve you for your climb and help you to set up your donation page.
Your perks • Guiding and instruction from local experts • All meals on the trip • $750 worth of gear from BCM sponsors • Gear and fitness consultations from BACKPACKER Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter and other staff editors • Your picture in the magazine!
Best of all: Your fundraising will get under-resourced urban youth out on their own backpacking trips, where they’ll receive invaluable mentoring from adult volunteers. If your own love for the outdoors has inspired you to give back, you’ll never find a better opportunity. Let's do it together on Shasta.
To register for the 2014 Mt. Shasta climb, click here.
Dennis Lewon
Editor in Chief - Backpacker Magazine
Mt. Shasta is a great challenge for beginner and experienced climbers alike. The snow-covered West Face is an ideal route for learning ice axe and crampon skills, and instructors from Shasta Mountain Guides will make sure everyone is prepared. Over the three-day climb we’ll set up a basecamp in remote Hidden Valley, where we’ll stage our (hopefully!) successful summit bid. The route offers a much less crowded way of reaching this very popular peak, with spectacular vistas the entire way.
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