It's ON!

Mile...Mile & A Half met the threshold for ticket sales approximately 5 hours before the deadline. We were so far from reaching the threshold just 2 days ago. I don't know what happened and I don't care. I'm just so happy that the film is going to be screened in Woodland on May 7, 2014. I am thrilled to see this film on the big screen and even more thrilled to see it with a theatre packed full of people who love the outdoors. There are still about 23 tickets left now before the event is sold out. It's amazing to be in that position of planning for a sell out. Whoa! What a community!

We've already got some pretty great raffle prizes and now that the film has been confirmed, we are on the hunt for some more. So if you know anyone in the Sacramento/Davis/Woodland area that would like to donate goods or services, just let me know! There will be about 80 outdoor and art lovin' people at the screening that any business would be lucky to have as customers! And I know there are many businesses in the area that would serve the community well!

I think I might be on a high from this film being confirmed. lol

But here's the (sort of) downside. I like coming up with the ideas and I like the planning. Sending a million messages to various individuals and groups was a little difficult because I'm not a pushy person. But even that was okay because I was focusing on people that I knew would love this film... or I guess I'm assuming since I haven't actually seen the film yet. And I love that all the promoting was so successful that we met our threshold and got the event confirmed. And then. It hits. I am in charge. What?? I will have to stand up in front of said 80 people and introduce myself and some others. I'll talk about Big City Mountaineers (BCM) and Summit for Someone. The information is easy. The standing in front is not. I'll talk about my "Made in USA" sponsors. Of course I'll mention all the incredible businesses who provide raffle prizes. Easy breezy! No. But I will do it because I believe in the cause of BCM and I really think people need to know about it. Besides... I am a psychologist and I can handle my anxiety! Just don't look at my shaking legs up there!

If you believe in the cause of BCM and want to help get youth out into the wilderness so they can learn that nature is an option they have in their lives, please go to my Summit for Someone page and donate. To help youth have these great experiences outdoors with beautiful views and awesome people, please go to my Summit for Someone page and make a donation: http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney

Palisade Trail - 12 miles of rocky technical challenge

I've never hiked with more than 5 or so people. So I took a huge leap for today and signed up for a Meetup in which 41 people had RSVPd. That's a crazy number! But even I knew that so many people would not actually show up and that the large number would also lead some to drop out. How could I be so right?? We ended up with 26 people. Still large! But about 8-10 of them were McSpeedies so they basically took off after the first mile and said goodbye to the organizer. The rest of us were left in their dust to hike at a comfortable pace while scrambling over rocks and roots, walking along tiny ledges with incredible death drops to one side, and stopping to enjoy the incredible vistas. We were on the Palisade Trail in the Calistoga, CA area. We started at the top trailhead and worked out way down to the end at Silverado Trail and Hwy 29.

It was a little stressful for me as an introvert with little experience in hiking 12 miles to join a group of people that I don't know and had never met with an event description that included, "12 mean, rocky, technical, challenging, narrow, eroded, rugged miles. Not for beginners." But I could not have asked for a better outing to join! The 16-18 of us that ended up hiking together naturally rotated so that each of us hiked with everyone. I brought up the rear for awhile. Then I led. Then I was middle of the pack. So I got to spend time with a variety of people and even hiked one section for about 30-45 minutes on my own. I admit that was a little disconcerting since I was used to seeing others to that point so I did wonder periodically if I was lost. But with the aforementioned death drops, there hadn't really been any opportunity for me to get lost.

I had decided, because the distance was a little longer and the ruggedness a little more than I had experienced, to wear my Ahnu Montara Boots rather than my heavier Asolo Power Matic Boots, which was a very good decision. I needed to be light on my feet with all the scrambling. By the end of the hike, we were mainly going downhill. Sounds easy enough. But it was downhill on these small rolling stones that would roll under our feet so we would slide and walk... slalk? I suppose we could have tried glissading but I don't think that would have been very comfortable. And not to complain, but my big toes were not happy and actually look like they are bruised. Darn! Just glad I didn't have the heavy-duty boots on!

An interesting part of hiking to me lately has been when we get close to the trailhead and run into fresh smelling people! Actually, I don't think "fresh" is the right word. "Perfumed" would be more accurate. They've taken a shower, used hair product, lotioned up, and maybe even actually used perfume before heading up the trailhead. This is not a criticism or judgment in any way. The people I'm talking about are generally going out for a social stroll rather than a hike so it makes more sense to prettify. I only mention it because of how often I experience it... being out in the woods, getting smelly and sweaty and then coming closer to civilization and meeting up with them. On this particular hike, we met up with a large group of teenagers who seemed to be exploring the area just a mile or so from the trailhead. They turned around about the time we met up. So there was this motley crue of hikers who have been "out there" for about 6-1/2 hours along with a bunch of perfumed teenagers making our way down the trail together. It made me wonder if they got as much a whiff of us as we got of them! lol Eau de Trail.. or Eww de Trail!

One of the guys on the hike who I think should be trail named "Pizza" kept talking about how many calories we were burning so that we could have pizza at the end. Six and a half hours! Pizza! lol When we got to the end, we did go into the pizza place that had been mentioned in the description. And "Pizza" went ahead and ordered pizza for everyone. He was super excited! lol Unfortunately he got the supreme and I don't eat beef or ham so I couldn't share in that excitement. But I enjoyed some chicken wings while another guy who is vegetarian enjoyed his salad. Funny thing about the vegetarian is that I had no idea who he was and didn't recognize him. Turned out he was one of the 8-10 who had gone ahead at the very beginning so I'd never really seen him. lol

One thing I learned from this experience is to be wary of parking at the trailhead for a one-way hike. I took 4 of us up to the trailhead and left my car there with the plan that I would get a ride back up at the end. Well at the end, everyone left.  ha! So the 4 of us who drove were left waiting for the organizer who has been doing this for years and probably knew to make sure her car stayed at the end of the trail for just that reason. Definitely not a big deal though I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure if the organizer had actually left her car at the bottom. That would not have been a fun walk up the road!

So it was a full day of hiking with some awesome people who I hope to meet up with again soon and some incredible views. An easy drive home (new tires on D'Azul!) with little traffic topped it off. What a great day! I might be getting into this longer distance hiking thing.

To help youth have these great experiences outdoors with beautiful views and awesome people, please go to my Summit for Someone page and make a donation: http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney

"Made in USA" Sponsorship #1

Awesome news! My first "Made in the USA" sponsor is 40 Below!

From their website:

Forty Below Ltd was founded in the 1970's, based on the serious need to have effective foot protection in extreme cold environments. The company founder, Bill Lokey of Tacoma, WA, built his first insulated boot covers, called overboots in 1973. After his experience of several years in Antarctica and numerous expeditions around the world, he developed the original Forty Below® Mt. Everest™ model overboot, which became known and trusted in the worldwide mountaineering community. 

Today, with over 30 years of experience, the Forty Below® line of products continue to be trusted and used on the most challenging of cold weather expeditions. Our goal is to provide functional insulating products for extreme environments. 

We also make Forty Below® Brand insulated covers for bottles, specialized clothing, and a line of Forty Below® insulated covers for brewing products,as we are also active home brewers since the 1980's. All of our products are carefully designed, and proudly crafted in the U.S.A. 

We take pride in helping you achieve your goals, and look forward to helping you match up our products with your activities! You can call, write, or email us for information. 

Our mission is to help you have warm feet and cold beer! 

Happy Adventures!
Joel Attaway
President, Forty Below

Owner Joel Attaway responded to my request saying that they believe in the Big City Mountaineers program and they want to help. I appreciate and respect a company that supports youth! Especially in getting youth into the great outdoors!

I could not be more excited about being supported by a company that has made all their products in the USA for the past 30 years! They create many different products for your outdoor needs from Camp Booties, Bottle Covers to keep water from freezing, Overboots, and so much more. Check them out here: 40 Below!

I still need about $2000 to reach my $4000 fundraising requirement! Please consider donating to help under-resourced, usually urban, youth have the opportunity to enjoy being outdoors and spending time in nature!

To donate, go to my Summit for Summit page.

Davis Enterprise

http://www.davisenterprise.com/arts/davis-natives-feature-documentary-to-screen-in-woodland/


Davis Native's Feature Documentary to Screen in Woodland
by Special to the Enterprise

April 16, 2014

Davis native Jason Fitzpatrick brings his award-winning feature documentary, “Mile … Mile and a Half,” to Woodland for a screening at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7. Fitzpatrick c0-produced and co-directed the film with Ric Serena.

The movie is hosted by UC Davis sports psychologist Jennifer Gildner, a climber with Summit for Someone. The showing is part of a fundraiser for Big City Mountaineers and will take place only if at least 80 people reserve tickets by April 30 at  www.tugg.com/go/80r5b9.

The documentary follows the epic journey of five friends who leave behind their daily lives to hike California’s historic John Muir Trail, a 211-mile stretch from Yosemite to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Their goal — complete the journey in 25 days while capturing the sights and sounds they encounter along the way.

Inspired by their bond, humor, artistry and dedication, the group continues to grow to include other artists, musicians and adventure-seekers.

Before they reach the summit, hikers and viewers alike affirm the old adage: It’s about the journey, not the destination. “Mile … Mile and a Half” is the feature-length documentary of that journey.

Fitzpatrick — who combined his passion for nature with his love of filmmaking — has nearly 20 years of film and television industry experience, working on everything from network sitcoms to studio features.

In its 13th year, Summit for Someone — a fundraising program owned by and to benefit Big City Mountaineers — is the No. 1 mountaineering fundraiser in the country. Big City Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, instills critical life skills in under-served urban youths through transformative wilderness expeditions. BCM has a hub in the Bay Area that will benefit directly. Five percent of ticket sales and all proceeds from raffles and donations go to BCM.

Gildner has been working at UCD for the past three years. Gildner’s next summit goal is Mount Shasta, her first trek above 14,000 feet.

Please donate to give urban youth the option of the outdoors:
http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney

The Balance

The balance between making sure to train and enjoying life is sometimes difficult! Especially when this type of training is new to me and not a core routine just yet. It's becoming that way! And the reason I know that is when I don't train to the level I need to, I feel antsy about it. Could be a good thing. Could be a bad thing. I'm going with… good!

This weekend involved supporting artists and "arteries" around town. Our good friend performed with the Free Range Singers at the Pence Gallery, which was awesome. I also found is incredibly entertaining that there was a young (high school age?) rock band playing just outside the building. They didn't compete at all, the soundproofing was great. But I loved going back and forth between the positive encouraging music of the Free Range out to the loud hard rhythms of the "youngens." Friday is my day off from training so no worries about doing little more than standing, swaying, a little air guitar, maybe some lip syncing (maybe not!), and walking around.

Saturday was a little more difficult. Picnic Day in Davis is either something you jump into or something you run from. The past two years we have spent most of Picnic Day at Good Humus enjoying our own kind of picnic with friends. They have "make your own" wood oven pizzas that are to die for! How can they not be great if you make it yourself?? We walked around a little admiring the flower garden and the plants they have on sale. But I certainly wouldn't call it "exercise." When we got back, I felt a little at a loss about what to do. My calf is not cooperating with my running. Our gym was already closed (lame!). And the population of Davis has quadrupled for Picnic Day. So I just walked with about 30 lbs on my back for a couple hours. Funny how doing that is actually exercise! I have never been much of a walker. Maybe because I'm one of those "5 minutes late" kind of people so I usually have to fly on my bike. So it's been interesting to feel a different kind of soreness… and a different kind of relief from stretching. I feel my hips more. Not pain at all… just an awareness that seems to have come with walking more. I like it!

Then Sunday we were up so so early. SO early! I'm a night person so when I was younger, if I had to get up when the first number is 4 or lower, I would just stay awake. That doesn't work anymore so I actually did sleep. We jumped on Amtrak to visit our friends in Santa Cruz. Let's be honest. We jumped on Amtrak to go visit our friends' baby in Santa Cruz! (= We walked all along the ocean. SO peaceful and such a great recovery. But in the back of my mind I was thinking that I needed to hike 3 hours with weight to stay on top of my schedule. Where is the balance?? I wanted to spend time with our friends the baby. And how is that NOT a good thing?? So I let it go. Not the baby. The need to train. It only came back briefly as we were lounging on the beach and I thought, "Hey! I could sprint up and down this beach 10 times and that would be a good workout!" But I let that go too… and took a little nap. Maybe that was the wrong choice because I was punished with very sunburned feet! lol

I'm happy for the busy social weekend with which we were blessed! I can feel a pang of regret for not working out more. My mental exercise today will be to move forward toward what I can do now as well as cherishing the overall feeling of relaxation that I am experiencing from such a great weekend!

Maybe that is my balance.

Please donate to give urban youth the option of the outdoors:
http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney

The Sounds of Hiking

Two hours. Thirty-five pounds.

Those were my instructions for today. What does a nerd carry when instructed to add weight?

We hiked up to the confluence of trails at Stebbins Cold Creek Canyon. It's a step-heavy route and with all the recent rain, it seems some of the dirt had eroded making many of the steps even higher. So it was a pretty darn good workout with beautiful scenery. We usually would keep going up over the ridge but this time decided to hike back down the stairs. Ahh the relief at first of descending after you've been climbing for awhile. But then it becomes just as difficult in a different way.

We were definitely reinforced for getting there early today! By the time we started down, everyone and their mother had decided to spend some time there. Our favorites were the two groups with loud music playing as they walked up past us. This was the first time water was really running in the river, again because of the rain, so it was a really beautiful sound to accompany our walk. Then the guys with their techno music came along and made it so much more festive! lol

What I learned today is that my fitness definitely still needs some work! What I've done so far has paid off for sure. As of tomorrow, I have 9 weeks before my Summit for Someone Climb on Mt. Shasta. That seems so long and so short all at the same time. My mindset is very good right now. I am really focused on doing my best and not invested in summiting. I know I'll be happy with whatever happens if I just "leave it on the mountain." I realize as I'm writing it that it sounds totally cliche. But that's okay with me.

As hard as today was, I can't help but think about some kid out there who would love to work hard and sweat like that while getting an opportunity to smell the spring flowers, hear the creek water, climb over rocks, and sit in the dirt but who can't because maybe they don't even know it's an option or even if they do know it's an option, they have no resources to get out there.

Please donate to give urban youth the option of the outdoors:
http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney

Mile… Mile & A Half - Tickets now AVAILABLE

Tickets are on sale for the fundraiser I've been waiting a long time for! I've wanted to see Mile… Mile & A Half for many months but missed out on a showing nearby and then never really had a reason to host it myself. Until now!

With help from Tugg, Mile… Mile & A Half will be screened on May 7th at 6:30pm at Cinemark Movies 5 in Woodland, CA. Here's a bit more information:

To see the entire event page and to reserve tickets, please go to http://www.tugg.com/events/8701.

The way the Tugg system works is that I need to sell 79 tickets in order for the event to happen at all. Of course there are a limited number of tickets based on the size of the theatre but I'm not too worried about that at this point.

Also, the producers of Mile… Mile & A Half are donating DVDs and posters of the film for us to raffle. So if you like the movie, perhaps you'll win a copy. We will also be giving out postcards with discounts to the Muir Project store so you can buy your own discounted copy of the movie if you don't win.

Cinemark Movies 5 is located at 1579 A East Street, Woodland, CA. Yolobuses 42A and 42B drop off  right there in the parking lot of the theatre, which is part of the County Fair Mall. Riding the bus is $2 and the times work out well.

Those of you who live in Davis and are thinking, "But we have 3 perfectly good theaters here! Why didn't you use one of those?" The answer to that is that the Cinemark in Woodland has chosen to be part of the Tugg network. I haven't a clue what goes into being part of the network so I can't make any judgments on the situation. Suffice to say that I did list Davis theaters first in my request but they just can't be considered at this time.

If you are reading this and you're thinking, "Hey! I don't even live in California, why the heck am I reading this far into this blog?" Well, it's probably because you would like to buy a few tickets and gift them to people who otherwise would not be able to see the movie. Once the 79 tickets are reserved, you will receive your tickets and you can just send them to me to distribute.

If you are reading this and you would like to see the movie but can't afford the $11, please send me a message and I'll will put you on the list to receive the tickets generously donated by others. I would love to have you attend!

Finally, a little more about the ticket prices. They are $11 each. Five percent of that $11 (55¢) will be donated to Big City Mountaineering as part of my Summit for Someone fundraising. When I sell 100 tickets, that will be $55. As I've always said in my physical fundraising, ANY amount helps! Seriously, $55 goes a long way in getting a youth out into the wilderness!

If you are someone who likes detail or you are thinking about using Tugg and have some questions, please know that you are welcome to contact me! I'm having a blast with this project and enjoy any opportunity to talk with others about it!

Please donate to give urban youth the option of the outdoors:
http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney