Camp Muir

Another 5 am trip to the mountain took place this past weekend. We met the CFCA team at Paradise Sunday morning and began the day with a quick team meeting specifically discussing avalanche danger due to the death of a climber the previous weekend and the extreme warnings the ranger station had been broadcasting. We were also introduced to Bronka Sandstrom, the oldest women

to have ever climbed Mt. Rainier. This woman summitted in one day... 19 hours of climbing. What an inspiration! She hiked with the CFCA group for roughly the first 1,000'- an absolute honor to have her in our presence. By 9am we set off onto the sun soaked snow field with 35lbs of gear on our backs. Camp Muir, 4.5 miles and 4,600' from Paradise was our goal.

As we learn more about this mountain climbing thing, we learn the little things can be most important. For instance, putting on sunblock includes putting it inside your mouth, in your ears, and up your nose. The sun will reflect off of the snow and as I witnessed last week on a couple of fellow climbers (who suffered 2nd degree burns), the sun on the mountain can severely severely sunburn you to the point of hospitalization. Resting is another 'simple' component often overlooked while climbing. Using the 'rest step' and getting off of our legs while breaking have proven to be critical in saving enough energy and strength to make the summit.

What an amazing day, the visibility was crystal clear, the sky open and blue and the mountain commanding our every attention. The "Muir Freeway" was bustling and full of energy. Hiking up we could look back on the trail confettied with other climbers.

By mid-way, the group had spilt into two groups due to varying speeds. Mandy and I continued in the first group though feeling our legs burn and hearts race as the mountain never wavered in its lack of grace. At times we'd hear thunder, see smoke and all pause in wonder as an avalanche would make its way down a face of Rainier. The beauty of where we were was constantly in competition with the reality of its power.

3.5 hours into the trek, Muir was in sight. Our guide, Mike, stopped the group and wanted to remind us that the mountain can truly psych you out. He said, while Muir looked 'right up the hill' it was still an hour out and to try and focus on smaller distance goals other than camp, like the flags marking the path or even as one climber called out, "I'm just trying to make it to the footsteps in front of me." The reminder was noted and grateful we were for it, as the distance to Muir truly messed with our minds. I swore I could reach out and touch it, but every fifteen minutes, it's proximity to us never lessened.

After another 20 minutes of exhaustion, we had to just keep our heads down and just get there... 4.5 hours after we set out, get there we did. Setting foot at camp, the team celebrated with cheers and high fives. We stopped for lunch in the clouds and got to evaluate where were at physically and mentally as we had just made it to our soon to be summit's half-way mark.

After lunch had been had, the group began the decent. As we left Muir and looked up at the mountain we could see about fifteen dark spots speckling the glacier... another team making their way from the summit. In 28 days, this was going to be us.

k&m

'Jack's' Letter

30 days... we have just 30 days left. It seems like we've been training forever yet at the same time, we wonder if we need more time to prepare. Regardless of what we think though, come July 16th, we will be on that mountain and climbing toward the top.

Throughout this great adventure, we have been so blessed to have our friends and family support us in every way. In addition, there is a specific individual that choose to support us that I'd like to tell you about. Please note, this was a personal letter to myself and Mandy and our wish in sharing it with all of you is that you find yourself as inspired as we were.

We have never met him, we have never spoken to him and yet, when he heard our story chose to believe in us. Remember back to when our climb was featured on the Ron and Don Show? We received two donations from a listener named 'Jack'... one in each of our names. We knew nothing more about this man or why he chose to donate to our team and this cause. We wanted badly to say thank you but there was nothing more than a name noted on the donation. A couple months went by before I found out that we actually had access to all of our online donor's email addresses. Immediately we wrote to 'Jack' simply wanting to say thank you. That very day we received an email back. I want to share this email with all of you:

Katie/Mandi-

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad I could do something to help and I only which I could do more. I was very touched when you and Mandi shared your story on the radio. I lost my brother 'Brad' in 2005 to lung cancer, he was only 43 years old. I think about him ever day, especially now that I'm the same age as he was when he passed away. My brother was amazing, he never once said why me, he just focused on loving the people in his life to the fullest with the short time we had left. My brother would love what you are doing, he loved the outdoors and was always out hiking or fishing and just enjoying the great Northwest. I want you two to know that I find you both inspiring and I know that this journey you are on will forever change your lives. Sometimes we need to tackle what we think is impossible to really know that we are living. Please know that I will be thinking of you both in July and my brother and I will be rooting you both on. I really think this will transform how you approach the rest of your lives and I think you are both amazing and strong young women. Please keep me updated along the way and know every step you take is a step forward for all of us that care. As Don would say, keep your head up, your shoulders back and kick some ass!!! Go for it!!! -'Jack'

As we move into our final days of training, its too often that we complain about the long gym workouts, the sore muscles, the lack of time on the weekends, and the pure exhaustion of it all... We are on this amazing adventure and 'Jack's' words reminded us that long gym workouts are time given to prepare, the sore muscles are evidence of our growing strength, lack of time and exhaustion proof that we are getting this chance to live- really live- this gift of life.

k&m