Inside Prevention

Fond farewells and photos

Since coming down from the mountain on Thursday, the 2012 Climb Against the Odds team has been basking in the glow of their shared adventure. The climbers have been recounting their incredible expedition on Mt. Shasta by sharing stories, photos and memories of a lifetime. The community forged by this journey is powerful and enduring, like the individuals who comprise it, so we part ways knowing that this is not goodbye, just happy trails until we are together again.

 

Check out stunning photography of this awe-inspiring team's journey. These photos document the 2012 expedition very well and more shots will be added to the collection in the coming weeks.

Has following the 2012 team's journey inspired you to climb and become a part of this amazing community? Sign up to be among the first to know when the 2013 Climb Against the Odds expedition begins accepting applications!

 

Back to civilization

Groups from the climb team started arriving to the the Bunny Flat trailhead around 11:30 a.m. this morning to cheers, hugs and a whole lotta love! Everyone is safely down from the mountain and we will all be gathering with locals from the Mt. Shasta community to celebrate their journey and hear their stories this evening. Enjoy a few shots from the return to the trailhead.

 

 

All safe and sound at base camp. Time to sleep!

Last report of the day: all climbers have returned to base camp safe and sound. Considering they began their ascent at 2:30 a.m., and they've been climbing and glissading ever since, they'll likely tuck themselves into their tents early tonight for some hard-earned sleep.

Go, team!

Check back tomorrow to read about the team's descent from base camp to the trailhead, where they'll meet their cheering fans. We should have a report and photos for you by early afternoon PST on Thursday.

Almost ready to call it a day—and what a day it's been!

Twenty-three of the 27 climbers are back at base camp at Hidden Valley, and the last group of four is in sight, glissading toward their tired but exhilerated teammates. All are in good spirits. Those back at base camp are sharing stories and photos from their amazing day and and enjoying some well-deserved rest.

We're so proud of each an every climber. As Breast Cancer Fund President Jeanne Rizzo says, summiting is optional, but getting down is not!

Down here in town the climbers' families and loved ones are arriving in anticipation of the team's descent off the mountain tomorrow around noon. Tonight we'll eat pizza together and make signs that we'll wave tomorrow as we cheer our climbers home.

What a day it's been! Thanks for all of your support, and stay tuned for more news tomorrow!

Climb Against the Odds team reaches new heights

Under sunny skies and near perfect conditions, the 2012 Climb Against the Odds team had an amazing day on Mt. Shasta. Each climber reached new heights on their journey and we are so proud of and humbled by each of these amazing women!

As the team makes their way down to base camp here is a list of climbers and where they reached their personal summits:

La Dawn Beardsley—14,179 feet, summit
Pam Bennett—14,179 feet, summit
Jennifer Bray—14,179 feet, summit
Blair Brown—14,179 feet, summit
Christine Bunting—14,179 feet, summit
Michele Cobble—14,179 feet, summit
Teasha Curren—14,179 feet, summit
Hazel Dagala—11,600, west face
Hendy Dayton—14,179 feet, summit
Tarsha Ebbern—14,179 feet, summit
Ann Eikenberry—11,200 feet, west face
Lori Fallace—13,000 feet, near the saddle between the west face and Misery Hill
Shannon Hahn—14,179 feet, summit
Deirdre Hockett—14,179 feet, summit
Hayley Jensen—14,179 feet, summit
Alisa Johnson—14,179 feet, summit
Pam Keefe—14,179 feet, summit
Amy Legate—14,179 feet, summit
Linda Morton—14,179 feet, summit
Joanne Padilla—14,179 feet, summit
Madeline Prager—10,500 feet, west face
Diane Silberman—14,179 feet, summit
Katie Singleton—14,179 feet, summit
Jane Small—14,179 feet, summit
Cathy Ann Taylor—14,179 feet, summit
Leslie Vanoni—13,000 feet, near the saddle between the west face and Misery Hill
Sally Werth—9,600 feet, just above Hidden Valley

Spectacular pics and news from the summit

 

As proof of the stunning condition reports we've been getting from the mountain we received these gorgeous photos from the summit a short while ago!

More news from the mountain:

Katie Singleton and Diane Silberman reached the summit at 11:00 a.m. Haley Jensen, Joanne Padilla, and Michele Cobble summited at 11:20 a.m., followed closely by La Dawn Beardsley, Alisa Johnson, and Jen Bray at 11:30 a.m. Amy Legate, Teasha Curren, Tarsha Ebbern, and Linda Morton reached the top at 12:10. And the final group to summit included Deirdre Hockett, Hendy Dayton, Pam Bennett, and Christine Bunting at 1:05.

Hazel Degala reached her personal summit on the west face at 11,600 feet and is now back at camp. Leslie Vanoni and Lori Fallace reached their personal summits at 13,000 feet near the saddle between the top of the west face and Misery Hill and are now on their way down to base camp.

The first group to descend has reached the top of the west face and the conditions are so great that the climbers will be able to glissade most of west face (from 12,800 to 9,440 feet) after hiking 200 feet down the head wall ...woohoo!

 

 

Prayer flags are flying on the summit!

We've just received reports of the first summit of the day! Blair Brown, Jane Small, Shannon Hahn and Pam Keefe have reached 14, 179 feet.

Two rope teams that include La Dawn Beardsley, Amy Legate , Linda Morton, Alisa Johnson, Jen Bray, Teasha Curren, Michele Cobble, Joanne Padilla, Hayley Jensen, Diane Silberman, Katie Singleton are at the top of Misery Hill preparing to make their summit approach.

The rest of the climbers Lori Fallace, Pam Bennet, Deirdre Hockett, Christine Bunting, Leslie Vanoni, Hendy Dayton, and Tarsha Ebbern are heading up Misery Hill from the west face.

Conditions continue to be gorgeous and perfect for our climbers, among the best we've ever experienced on the mountain!

Go Team! We are so proud of you all!

 

Get your bearings

Want to know where Misery Hill and the west face are in relation to base camp at Hidden Valley and the summit? Check out this graphic of the routes on the South West Side of Mt. Shasta to help get your bearings in relation to climb status updates. Click the image for a larger view.

 

First team up, approaching Misery Hill

Team 3 (Tarsha Ebbern, Blair Brown, Jane Small, Shannon Hahn, and Pam Keefe) was the first to set off this morning. This just in from their guides: they are at the top of the West Face (at approximately 13,000 feet). They are now poised to traverse at the top of the west face and then head up Misery Hill  which is just below the summit.

Photo: Dane, Pam, Jane, Blair and Shannon on West Face

Up they go, it's summit day!

We've received our first summit day report from base camp! The climb team made their alpine start as planned in the wee hours this morning.  The weather on the mountain is gorgeous and yesterday’s wind has died down so the team is climbing in perfect weather.

The base camp team can see the climbers on the west face at between 11,000 to 11,500 feet and the guides report that the teams are going strong!

Three team members have reached their personal summits as of 7:20 a.m. Sally Werth reached her personal summit just beyond basecamp and Madeline Prager reached 10,500 feet, both climbers have returned to camp. Ann Eikenberry reached her summit at approximately 11,200 and is on her way down to camp now.