Jenothy's Journal Entry #1

Why climb a mountain?  It's hard to know where to begin to explain the "why" behind my desire to climb a mountain.  Growing up in the foothills of the Rockies, along the Wind River Range, we climbed mountains because they were there!  From a very young age, I have loved the mountains and the sensation of reaching the top.  I guess the short answer is as simple as; because I can, because I have always wanted to summit a "fourteener", because I wanted to do something to mark my 40th year of life, because I was invited, because there is nothing like it! 
I have tried to talk myself out of going on this trip more than once.  Telling myself it's selfish to take a trip like this without my kids and husband, its too much money, I shouldn't take off from work, and the money could be better spent on something else. Those reasons are, to some degree, all true, but there are two reasons I didn't back out: 1. A husband who understands my inner drive and fascination with adventure and 2. A dad who told me, "you'll never complete your bucket list if you always wait for a better or perfect time." 

Am I excited? Nervous? Thrilled? Anxious? Yes, yes and YES!  I hope to use this blog as a way to share my training and preparation,thoughts and reflections, and goals and excitement...and maybe a few funny stories about Joey!! It is my prayer, this will be an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a tremendous cause (Alzheimer's Assoc.), as well as participate in something I will never forget.

I hope you'll join our team and be a part of A Climb to Remember!

One step at a time...one foot in front of the other...
Jenothy

Alzheimer's Disease awareness

Building upon the previous 'why to climb' theme...

For now, I'll keep the long story short.  Our climb has been approved as an official fundraising event by the Alzheimer's Association.  You can make your tax-deductible donation to the Alzheimer's Association using our Contribution Form via the link above the blog archive.  At least 90% of your donation will go to the Alzheimer's Association and the remainder will reimburse expenses associated with the fundraising.  Don't forget to check with your employer to see if they have a matching gifts program!

Remember that every little bit helps.

Thanks for your consideration.

Why climb and why Rainier??

I'm new to the blog world, so here goes nothing.

Why climb a mountain?  And why Mount Rainier?  These questions have been posed to me several times by several people.  And frankly, I've got several answers.  

Why climb?  One of my main answers is adventure, but it's not like any of my previous adventures which in my opinion pale in comparison to a summit attempt of Rainier.  I have zero mountaineering experience.  Am I concerned?  A little.  Am I excited?  To say yes would be an understatement.  One other reason is the challenge of it.  I'll be 35 years old in October, more than a decade removed from my playing days.  Since college, however, I've done a couple minimarathons and have remained fairly active.  But this is no 2-hour run, not a nice little dayhike, nor an ordinary overnight backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains.  I figure I'll be pushing the limits of both my strength and my endurance more than I ever have.  There are more reasons, and more on that in a following post.

Why Rainier?  I first read about Rainier in Backpacker Magazine about 5 years ago.  It stands 14,410 ft above sea level and is the most glaciated peak in the lower 48.  In my humble and novice opinion, it will provide a taste of mountaineering without having specific mountaineering training/experience.  Contrary to popular belief, I am not an idiot, so I have hired Rainier Mountaineering Inc. (RMI) as my guide service.  The planned route is considered a non-technical route but does employ the use of crampons, an ice axe, harness, etc.  Upon reading a bit, Rainier is used heavily as a training ground for Denali and even Everest.  Before you get too impressed, keep in mind there are several routes to the summit, and we're taking the easiest.  Mount Whitney in California is ~80 feet higher than Rainier, but from what I hear you can summit Whitney in shorts, a t-shirt, and a your favorite hiking shoes.  Not quite the mountain experience I'm looking for, but Whitney would be a good bucket-lister.

There's much more to share.  Stay tuned.

-J. Ott