Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast pre climb

Day One and All is Wet

So, I finally got to Seattle today. Easy flight on JetBlue. I had a great close up view of Rainier on the way in, and could actually see it from the ground too which I took as a good omen.

Got my car and started driving north. A few calls and a trader joe's stop later, I hit Bellingham. Stopped at TJ's for all the snacks, lunch type food, instant coffee and oatmeal. The hotel is fine as you can see from the photos. Not a Starwood property, but ok nonetheless!

Ran out to REI to buy some freeze dried foods for dinners including veggie curry, pad thai and chili, all vegetarian of course. Who wants freeze dried meat? YUCK.

Got back to my room and repacked my stuff and all of the food. It went pretty well, perfectly in time for me to unpack and repack everything tomorrow when I meet the guide.

I have to be at AAI at 7, and have to have eaten before I get there. Can't wait to eat gross food at 6 am! Oh well, this might be my last post until Sunday night or monday. Have a great weekend!

2 Days Until Departure

I am down to the wire and not blogging nearly as often as I should be. So, I leave Thursday morning from JFK to Seattle. Work has been very stressful lately, so I am happy to be jetting off to the remote wilderness where email and cell phones don't exist!

A lot has happened. My partner got sick, got a fever, felt he wasn't in shape, and backed out yesterday morning. So of course, I get panicked. Can I still go? Will the guide co cancel on me? I sent them a scared email last night, and got a reply today.

I can go with my guide, like a private mountain climbing lesson for 3 days, or I can join a group of 2 others. What are they like I asked? They have both climbed Rainier, one is going to climb in Bolivia, they have both taken 6 day courses and have prepped for Denali. Guess which one I opted for? Right, the one on one with the guide. I am realizing that this one is as much about my confiidence level as it is about the climb. Next time, I will go with the more experienced guys.

Any who, I will try and blog from out west with my cell, not sure if it will happen. I am very excited about this and very nervous at the same time. Will I summit? Will I sleep at all? Will I be able to eat? Will I crack my teeth on frozen Cliff bars?

I am trying to be Zen, enjoy the adventure for the adventures sake. It will be one of the most adventurous things I have ever done.

3 Weeks and 1 Day

I am now 3 weeks away from my trip. My plan is to travel to seattle and buy tons of food when I get there.

My training has been interesting. 2 hour hikes on the weekend with my 40 lb. Gregory Baltoro pack. 20 of the pounds coming from dumbbells. NOT FUN!!! but good training nonetheless. During the week I am using machines, treadmills and stairmasters while wearing the 45 lbs. Its interesting to wonder what the weight limits are. I am probably around 190, but with pack I am around 235. Is that legal? will that kill the machine?

Almost all of the equipment is now rented or purchased aside from a compressable down jacket. Any thoughts on a make and model?