We went to the gym on saturday...I ran (2 mi) and swam (1/2 mi) and lifted weights. Yesterday was a rest day, in part due to the Superbowl and in part due to my body's inability to do much else. It looks like today will be a bit of the same, except that my mind will be occupied with work stress. Eeew.
I want to talk a little bit about what I've gotten myself into, because I just realized that I haven't really laid it all out for everyone to digest:
-Mt. Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon, reaching a height of 11, 237 ft.
-The climb will begin at 1 AM from a starting elevation of ~ 8,000 ft. and we should be back at camp by around 10 AM
-The climb is scheduled for the middle of June when the weather patterns on the mountain have stabilized
-Although most of Portland will be in summer mode in June, the peak stays a bit chilly, as the mountain has a glacier on top of it.
-Average temps during the climb are expected to be in the 20s, and colder if it's windy
-The mountain face and peak at the elevations we will be climbing are covered in snow, which will require the use of crampons, an ice axe for self arresting, and roping into your team mates at certain points.
-Weekly training hikes with the Team officially begin at the end of February. I've been on a solo mission to get into good shape for this climb, to ensure my safety and to make sure that Dean isn't up at night worrying about me.
More important than all of the statistics above is the "why" of the climb. Reach the Summit is sponsored by the American Lung Association of Oregon. They are a non-profit that derives most of its funding from fundraising activities such as this one. They are also funded by government grants and donations. Their organization allocates their funds towards Lung Disease research, fighting for clean air, and raising awareness on Lung Disease.
Did you know that every day in America, at least 11 people die from Asthma attacks? I was astounded by this figure. I mean, we live in America, where education and research into illnesses is light-years ahead of other countries....imagine what the rates are in third-world nations?
did you know that most of the people who die from asthma attacks are people of low socio-economic status? they are the ones who don't have insurance so can't afford inhalers and stuff like that.. that was part of my undergrad thesis.. so sad :( you're doing a good thing!!
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