The excitement among the climb team was infectious Monday as they made their final preparations to hit the trail for base camp on Tuesday. They were assigned to their rope teams and met the fabulous Shasta Mountain Guides staff who will be leading them up the mountain. The rope teams and guides gathered for a final gear check to make sure that all of the climbers have everything they need and nothing they don't—weight matters when throwing a pack on to climb a mountain! Once the gear was whittled down to the necessities, the guides shared their wisdom on organizing a pack efficiently with the weight of the load balanced properly.
We capped off the day by gathering for a BBQ potluck where friendships new and old were deepened over good food and great vibes. The evening was abuzz with the anticipation that comes with fully realizing that, yes, it really is climb time! Past climbers shared wisdom that eased worries and inspired confidence with an understanding that comes only from those who have walked the same path. The relating of past experience on the mountain and personal insights about the journey is one of many beautiful facets of this Climb Against the Odds community. With months of training under their belts along with the the support of teammates, guides, loved ones and our amazing sponsors, this team of inspiring women is geared up and ready to go in every way.
Go Climb Against the Odds team! At this moment you all are hiking to basecamp and I am sitting at MDAnderson in Houston Texas waiting for my mammogram - 2 years since my breast cancer diagnosis, 1.5 years since treatment and 1 year since I climbed Shasta with the Breast Cancer Fund in 2011. Thank you to each of you for the challenge you are taking on this week and the money you are raising. It is important to people around the world. Hello to my Breast Cancer Fund friends and good luck to all the climbers!!!! Leann Ferry
Posted by: Leann Ferry | June 19, 2012 at 09:22 AM