First Post! and backstory..

When I was a kid, I had the opportunity to go to Washington state and visit Rainier National Park with my dad. On one of the trails that lead to one of the approaches to the peak, not too far from the snow level, we were stopped by a sign that declared one must carry a permit to continue on.

Fearless and confident as only a nine-year old could be, I was sure I could have kept on going – right to the top. It just looked like a big mound of snow, after all. After I asked him if we could get one of those permits that day, my dad assured me, smiling: it’s not as easy as it looks. As I regretfully headed back down the trail with my dad, I promised myself I would do it one day. All I needed was one of those silly permits..

In the years to follow, I continued to explore and climb other mountains with my father, on my own, and with friends. I quickly learned that one needed more than just a permit to climb a mountain like Mt. Rainier. A successful summit, more often than not, required one to be in excellent shape, have the right gear, and be a good teammate.

I have been so blessed in my life to have had the many opportunities to experience the beauty of the wilderness. I am so happy to now be a part of fundraising campaign that will help youth that otherwise would not have such opportunities, to go out and explore like I did. There were several peaks to choose from for this benefit, but I thought Rainier would be most fitting.

In addition, I will be dedicating my climb to my friend and co-worker, Nicole Llerena (5/28/87-7/16/09). I had the opportunity to take Nicole on her first backpacking trip, and I’ll never forget her enthusiasm and energy, despite rain, extreme heat, and heavy packs. I am so happy to continue helping others experience the joy of the outdoors through this next adventure.