Two Weeks Have Passed

But it seems like yesterday that I was in Washington climbing Mt. St. Helens with some pretty amazing people. Then, last week, more amazing people geared up to take the trek up Mt. Hood.

Neither climb group made it to the summit due to mother nature calling an audible. But in both cases it wasn't whether or not people made it to the top o the mountain, but rather it was about coming together for friend, family and even people we've never met - to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and support.

The support of those who climb together is powerful and the support received by those that make financial contributions is inspirational. They believe - as we do - and that there is a purpose and a chance.

I previously told you about my friends Rusty and Kira who made an incredible contribution to my climb. Well, I am blessed to say that they were not the only ones.

I have the pleasure of working with another agency - Couto Solutions out of California - who, without hesitation also made a significant contribution to my Climb to Fight Breast Cancer. The support of Justin and Rosa is overwhelming especially considering that Justin recently lost his father. When I took to the mountain, I brought his dad with me. I brought all the loved ones both still fighting as well as those who lost their fight along with me.

Without the support of people like Justin and Rosa, Kira and Rusty and each and every single person I could not do what I do.

So, even two week after I have climbed, I say thank you! You all inspire me and keep me putting one foot in front of the other.

Still Sporting the Pink for Fellow Climbers

This weekend the second of the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer treks is set to take place - on the mountain that started it all for me a year ago - Mt. Hood.

My friend Colin will join a number climbers, some of which are survivors, and trek up above the clouds on the way to summit and celebration.

In addition to Colin, I know another individual who is climbing this weekend - Lynn Lippert - the awesome breast cancer survivor who I had the privilege of meeting last year, and who's words of advice and support helped me every step of my climb on St. Helens last weekend.

Lynn is a survivor, but more than that, she is an inspiration. To meet her is to be changed. She puts a lot in perspective for a person and she doesn't pull any punches. She's real!

Tonight, I got an email from her saying they were at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and the "weather is crap. Here's hoping things improve."

I'm sending good, positive vibes to Lynn, Colin and all the other climber this weekend and hoping the weather does indeed improve.

Blessings for a safe and successful climb my friends! Can't wait to hear about your journey.

Respect the Mountain, Cherish the Friendships

The past two years I have done something I never imagined I would have the courage let alone the strength to do - climb not just one but two mountains.

And in these two climbs I have learned many lessons but none stand out more than what the title of this blog post says.... Respect the Mountain, Cherish the Friendships.

Mountain climbing is no joke. It pushes your limits. And if you don't take it seriously, you're going to be in a world of hurt!

I trained and trained for both of my climbs, and in neither case was I able to summit. My first mountain I wasn't "in the game" mentally and that's why I did not complete the climb. This past weekend I did "stay in the game" mentally and my determination to climb to the summit was definitely the driving force of my strength. But alas, once again I didn't make it to the summit.

The difference this year is that whether I made it to the very top of the mountain or not, I was okay. It no longer became about the mountain for me. It became about the bonds that were formed with each and every single person I walked along side of, in front of, and behind up as far as we were able to go and then down again.

I learned so much about myself this climb. And I learned that I have such an appreciation for the human spirit. Each of us participated in the Climb for different reasons, but in the end, the strength that drew us each to the mountain also carried us along the path - together.

I will never look at a mountain the same way again. Not only is it something that deserves my respect, but also my appreciation for building friendships that have been life-changing for me.

No matter why I started out on this journey, I have ended with respect for the mountain and cherishing the friends that I have come to know.

Blessings!

(group photo by Colin Stapp)

Overwhelming Support

One of the components of Climb to Fight Breast Cancer is not only to raise awareness but also funds for research.

I have to say that I was overwhelmed by the show of support I received, not only from friends and family, but from a couple of companies that I work with through my job.

I didn't know what to expect when I made my outreach, and when they both noted that they wanted to make a contribution, I was of course grateful.

Talking personally with one of the two agencies, Krobe Interactive, I learned that they weren't talking cheap. When I received their check, I was floored! Their generosity was heartwarming! That's when it was decided that they were going to be my "official / unofficial sponsors". Their show of support and belief in me and what we were doing with these climbs resonated with them and that's why, they said, they wanted to make a contribution.

So this past weekend when I made my trek up Mt. St. Helens, I carried with me a sign that they made for me (by request) and when we reached the end of our journey up the mountain, I pulled the sign out from my pack, held it proudly in front of me and had a few pictures taken.

Yes, the sign is fun, and shows humor, but I am confident in saying that this photo is NOT all that they got! :-)

They have also received the thanks and appreciation of so many that their contribution will help and they showed that all it takes is an open heart to make a significant difference! They have certainly made a difference to me...

Thank you Krobe Interactive! Your generosity and support will always be remembered.

Reflection

After returning home from my climb, having pizza for the first time in months (I gave it up as part of my training), and getting some sleep, I've had a chance to look back on this past weekend and the climb and truly appreciate everything around it.

From my training with Raymond, to the support of so many friends and family, this climb was about more than just climbing a mountain. To some, they may have seen me taking this trek as a way to push my limits of strength and fitness, while for others, they may have considered this was a way for me to raise awareness and funds for something that is so personal to me.

Both of those would be true. And I have to say, that was all I thought about this climb until this past weekend and I was on the mountain. That's when it hit me. I get it.

If you had to have an analogy for cancer and what a person who had been diagnosed with cancer goes through, then an analogy of a mountain climb makes for a pretty clear picture and pretty logical sense.

Consider the mountain to be cancer and the person climbing to be the individual diagnosed. The mountain will be challenging and it will take time and commitment and strength like you've likely never used before, but you can be successful in beating it. Just like a mountain climber can be successful in reaching the summit. With every step a climber takes toward the summit, they are one step closer to victory. The physical and mental challenges faced are extraordinary whether climbing a mountain or battling cancer but those challenges can be overcome.

If you asked me two years ago if I thought I could climb a mountain I would have laughed at you and said you were crazy. I would have also laughed at you nine years ago if you would have said my mother would be diagnosed with and die from breast cancer. And I definitely would have said you were crazy a year ago if you told my my dad would be diagnosed with cancer and I would be preparing to climb my second mountain...

A lot can change in a person's lifetime.

The experience of having a loved one diagnosed with cancer is life-changing. Climbing a mountain is life-changing. And celebrating victory to both is life ALTERING!

So no matter what you do in your life, challenge yourself to do something life-altering. Trust me, you won't regret it...


(p.s. This past May we learned that my dad claimed victory over cancer! THAT made this climb of Mt. St. Helens so much more memorable. Love you Poppy!)

I Climbed Mt. St. Helens!

It was intense and I was exhausted, but I didn't give in and I forged on ahead until the weather conditions became too much and then, with a feeling of great accomplishment, I went back down the mountain (proud).

I can't say it started off very well. It was hot/humid and before we even broke out from the trail leading out to the mountain, I was already winded, sweating and wondering if this was such a good idea. And it wasn't just straight snow climb either... There were rocks to climb as well making for an even more interesting adventure.

My pace was slower than the group and it seemed I needed more rest stops than the others. The mental (not so much the physical) challenge had begun. But something different happened this year, every time I started to have worry or feel doubt creeping in, I remembered Lynn's words of wisdom - "take it one step at a time. Go your pace." I began to settle back down only to begin stressing out each time Doug, the lead guide would stop the group and indicate we needed to have a quicker pace.

Finally, about 3 1/2 hours in, the decision was made that the group would forge on at the pace they were maintaining and I would continue to climb at MY pace with Nick (one of the Portland Parks guides in our group). This was the best solution and to be honest I was very happy about it. That worry of holding the group back dissipated and Nick and I began setting 'mini goals' along each section. He kept me motivated and never rushed me. He's a phenomenal guide and I felt very blessed that he was on this climb (I first met Nick on Hood last year and he an Colin kept encouraging me every step of that climb too).

I surprised myself at times as we continued to climb. There were some goal points where I said we would need to take a long rest stop only to take a brief water and energy 'standing break'. He even sang Beatles tunes along the trek to keep my steps 'on beat'.

As the day continued, the weather seemed to begin changing and the higher we trekked, we were met by more wind, cold, ice on the mountain and even some flurries.

When we reached the end of my personal climb, we met up with fellow climber Susan and her guide who were making their way back down the mountain noting that the rest of the group was not going to make summit either. The weather continued to get pretty yucky so we made the right decision.

We began heading back down, our group met up with us and then we made our way together. Along the way, we even got in a few good glissading runs. AWESOME fun! (I gave Colin my video recorder and he go some pretty cool footage of a great run. Keep an eye out foe a YouTube link soon)

In all I am very proud of my accomplishment. I didn't outthink it and I did what Lynn said to do - go my pace.

I am so thankful for the experience, for the people I have met and the support I have received. It had been life-changing!

Thank you for coming along on this incredible journey with me!

School Before the Climb

Today was snow school. This is the day we prepare for our climb, learn how to use the equipment, walk with trekking poles and an ice ax, self arrest and of course, glissading (this is pretty fun... It's sledding down the hill on a plastic sheet/sled or just on your butt). We practiced and prepared.

On Mt.Hood... Yup, you read correctly, I returned to the mountain that started it all... And it was grand!

Our guide, Doug, shared some insights with us on what to expect on St. Helens and what the pace and timing would be like. And also why we were doing snow school on Hood rather than Helens.

We begin our trek at 4:30 am Pacific Time on Sunday and in all, the climb will take us about 12 hours from start to finish. But when we're done, we'll have been up to the top of one of the world's most famous (active) volcanos.

I am so excited about this climb. I can not wait to reach the summit. I can not wait to embrace the entire journey from the first step to the last.

And I can not wait to share it through stories and pictures when we succeed.

Tomorrow's almost here, time to get a few hours of sleep!

One Step Closer

Theresa and I traveled to Woodland WA today where we met up with her sister Susan and checked into our hotel which we will be calling our "home base" the next couple days. The forecast is calling for rain showers but that's no biggie. Rain doesn't hurt.

Before leaving Portland today we swung by REI and picked up our gear and met with Lynn Lippert for coffee - she's the awesome "superwoman" I met last year on Mt. Hood. At 69 years old, this woman is a breast cancer survivor who is also battling bone cancer but is STILL CLIMBING! She talked about climbing St. Helens a couple weeks ago and the beautiful view from the top. She reminded me that I need to "put my big girl pants on" and kick the mountain's butt. She reminded me that positive attitude is stronger than physical endurance and that I WILL be celebrating from the top of St. Helens this Sunday! Just one step at a time is all it takes.

Well there you have it. Doubt doesn't get you anywhere. Positive attitude gets you everywhere - even to the top of mountains!

I am really looking forward to this weekend. And I can't wait to see the view from the top. Hope you'll follow along and check out the view with me right here...