With an utter disregard for advice and caution from gym trainers, medical community, insurance companies, well meaning family & friends and complete strangers, who have slammed on the brakes of their automobiles to offer us a ride home/nearest hospital, whenever they see us jogging (and I use the term jogging with a fairly wide interpretation of its meaning) on the sides of the road, Chris Awad and I continue to test the already seams-stretched boundaries of Clint Eastwood axiom: A Man has got to know his limitations!
Perhaps it was our famous learning disability or perhaps it was the power vested in me by that bottle of brand-less beverage I bought in India, we signed up for yet another Climb to Fight Breast Cancer.
PRE-PRE-PRE Climb
A profoundly philosophical internal dialog which took place in the wake of commitment already made.
Is it OK to ask for donations from the same donors, who donated generously the previous year?
Absolutely yes.
Is it OK to expect them to donate generously again?
Are you kidding me? Why shouldn’t I?
Is it OK if they start avoiding you?
They will never do that.
Is it OK to call them and remind them multiple times?
With kids and mortgages, they sure forget a lot. It is my solemn duty to remind them.
Is it OK to invoke HIS name in vain and make false promises in HIS name during fund-raising?
Of course yes. HE has forgiven me before for other minor and a few major infractions…..Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Would you be grateful?
If they only knew how much
PRE-PRE Climb
Seeds of doubt about the standards of education in the state of New Jersey were sown in my mind back in 2010. In 2011, these seeds sprouted into a healthy looking plant in the “Rain Forest” of Olympic National Park. And plant grew into a tree in the yards of California State Capitol Building in Sacramento this year. Folks, I admit that English is not my primary language (in fact it is a distant third) but just as the Rain Forest is the Forest where it rains a lot, “Show Oranges” are just for show and not for eating. Chris Awad knows exactly how Show Oranges taste and how quickly to spit them out before your palate becomes permanently infected.
PS:
If you happen to be ever in Sacramento, make sure to visit a farmer’s market. You have no idea how much fruit can be bought for just five bucks…..from pretty Latinas, who will let you practice your Spanish on them absolutely gratis.
PPS:
The Gobernator Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrait is still not done for corridors of state capitol. They are waiting for his muscle mass to decrease just enough so that they can fit him into the same state mandated standard portrait frame, where Ronald Reagan almost fell out of, during the hanging. Apparently size does matter.
PRE-Climb
Scientists will tell you that alcohol is the worse dehydrator which should be avoided before any high altitude climb. And yet, the liberal attitude with which extra large libations are consumed at any pre-climb eve gatherings is just another testimony to the sheer determination with which these folks try to dispel all scientific myths, including gravity. And every now and then science wins and this time it just whooped me.
But we must treat this as a learning opportunity (for others). First lesson of course is that one must imbibe responsibly. And second and more important lesson is not to mix different varieties of alcohol. These lessons are especially important for young folks, who have often mentioned to me that they have come to look up to me as an elder brother. The fact that they are putting more emphasis on “Elder” rather than Brother hasn’t gone un-noticed either. Little do they know that time is as much their enemy as it is mine.
In all, there were nineteen Hutch climbers this year on Mount Shasta. Team Goat, Team PPB (Powerful Pink Bunnies) and Team C-4. Together, we had raised over $100,000 for Breast cancer research before getting to this point.
Climb: Day 1 (June 29th)
Waking up with a blurred memory of previous night’s events is never easy but someone has to do it. Gear check took place at a lazy pace, bags were packed and it was time to head to the bunny flat trailhead. Perhaps you would like to know what it feels like to see other climbers merrily hiking their way to camp one with their 40+ lbs. pack, while you trudge along nursing the after-effects of pre-climb excesses. But I am not going to tell you. I want you to learn from your own experience. System flushing continued with pure fresh Shasta water.
On humanitarian grounds, Chris and I had a tent which was pitched at a safe distance away from rest of our group (Monica, Dave, Bob, Jim). Bean burritos for dinner were yummy. Sleep came in just a few short spurts. Otherwise just toss and turns.
Distance Covered: ~2 miles, Elevation gained: 1000 ft., Altitude: 7900 ft.
Climb: Day 2 (June 30th)
A late wake up, pack up and eat up. Last use of real facilities and second part of climb began. It is always hard traversing the rocky path in climbing boots. I feel like Frankenstein (with looks to match). But soon we were in the avalanche gulch and felt nice to be on snow. Deep breaths, step rest routine and we began to feel like real climbers. We made it to the next camp site in decent time. All covered in snow with a view so beautiful that one can never get tired of it. Tents were pitched, snacks were consumed and it was time for snow school. Walk up, walk down, self-arrest. A little rest, an early dinner of macaroni and cheese and it was time to hit the sack for next day starts at 2:00 AM.
Distance Covered: ~1.5 miles, Elevation gained: 1500 ft., Altitude: 9500 ft.
Climb: Day 3 (Summit Day, July 1st)
Guides came to wake us up at 2:00 AM but we were already awake. Infact, I did not sleep at all. Sleep or no sleep, it was time to get ready. It was really cold out there. A quick deposit in the brown bag, get dressed, put on harness, helmet and head lamp. Shove down the oatmeal, gulp down tea. Backpack felt so light now with just few essentials. At 3:00 AM in the morning, lamps on, poles in hand and it was time to go and climb a mountain.
Early morning hours on the steep slope, a mixture of rain, frozen rain and snow flakes came down. Wind made a few howling runs but we were told that it was just a squall. Everything calmed down when sun came up. It was a beautiful sight with multiple climbing teams making their way up to the Red banks. Crampons had to be taken out at close 11000 ft. and then came the rope. After Red banks, came the Short hill, which is not short at all. Infact, it was reasonably steep and about 1000 ft. of elevation. Then came the Misery hill. All the miserable jokes were told while climbing Misery hill (Q: How many Democrats are needed to screw a light bulb? A: Only one. Bill Clinton. He can screw everything including a light bulb). And then summit came into view and we got the first rush of success within reach. The view from this spot was incredibly beautiful. On the way to summit, there are small hot springs where John Muir once stopped by. Pervasive smell of H2S made Chris really confused and guilty conscious….”Not me, Not me man, Not this time” was uttered a few times. Another 250 ft. of elevation gain and we were home. The beauty of vistas from the top of Mount Shasta can not be described in words. If you ever develop an ability to step out of an airplane in mid-air and walk around, you might see something similar. It was about 11:00 AM. After basking in glory for some time, it was time to head down to base camp, pack up and head back to trail-head. It was a long day.
Distance Covered: ~7.5 miles, Elevation gained: 4700 ft., Elevation Lost: 7200 ft.
Conclusivo
In the end, all this is about people. People who gave us life. People who nurtured us. People who taught us how to wade through this maze called the world. People who influenced us. People we met at random in a strange country. People who made us laugh, when just a smile would have done it. People who are still here and people who will continue to look at me from their heavenly abodes with a raised eyebrow, until time comes for me to depart and take up my assigned duties outside the boundary walls of heaven.
And talking about people, I can’t help but be thankful to wonderful guides of Team C-4. One guide came in a large frame with a carefully concealed southern accent brought out at crucial moments. The other came in a compact, intelligent and comely package with a self-deprecating sense of humor (Q: What is the difference between mountain guide and saving bond certificate? A: Savings bond certificate eventually matures and becomes useful). It was no surprise that I had to finally learn the proper use of my large Butt from a woman, when glissading down 2500 ft. I was misguided but all I needed was a little Miss-guidance. And as if these lessons of such humility weren’t enough, our guides brought another quasi-guide, an extremely charming denizen of an always humble, hockey playing neighbor from north of the border.
On these adventures, there comes a time when your body’s fuel gauge seems to be at E and it seems that there is just enough left to take perhaps one more step. In such times, some people breathe in thin air and go another mile and redefine the meaning of will power. On Mount Shasta, I have had the privilege of huffing and puffing along with more than a few such uber-extraordinary people.
Click here to enjoy the pictorial trip.
Perhaps it was our famous learning disability or perhaps it was the power vested in me by that bottle of brand-less beverage I bought in India, we signed up for yet another Climb to Fight Breast Cancer.
PRE-PRE-PRE Climb
A profoundly philosophical internal dialog which took place in the wake of commitment already made.
Is it OK to ask for donations from the same donors, who donated generously the previous year?
Absolutely yes.
Is it OK to expect them to donate generously again?
Are you kidding me? Why shouldn’t I?
Is it OK if they start avoiding you?
They will never do that.
Is it OK to call them and remind them multiple times?
With kids and mortgages, they sure forget a lot. It is my solemn duty to remind them.
Is it OK to invoke HIS name in vain and make false promises in HIS name during fund-raising?
Of course yes. HE has forgiven me before for other minor and a few major infractions…..Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Would you be grateful?
If they only knew how much
PRE-PRE Climb
Seeds of doubt about the standards of education in the state of New Jersey were sown in my mind back in 2010. In 2011, these seeds sprouted into a healthy looking plant in the “Rain Forest” of Olympic National Park. And plant grew into a tree in the yards of California State Capitol Building in Sacramento this year. Folks, I admit that English is not my primary language (in fact it is a distant third) but just as the Rain Forest is the Forest where it rains a lot, “Show Oranges” are just for show and not for eating. Chris Awad knows exactly how Show Oranges taste and how quickly to spit them out before your palate becomes permanently infected.
PS:
If you happen to be ever in Sacramento, make sure to visit a farmer’s market. You have no idea how much fruit can be bought for just five bucks…..from pretty Latinas, who will let you practice your Spanish on them absolutely gratis.
PPS:
The Gobernator Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrait is still not done for corridors of state capitol. They are waiting for his muscle mass to decrease just enough so that they can fit him into the same state mandated standard portrait frame, where Ronald Reagan almost fell out of, during the hanging. Apparently size does matter.
PRE-Climb
Scientists will tell you that alcohol is the worse dehydrator which should be avoided before any high altitude climb. And yet, the liberal attitude with which extra large libations are consumed at any pre-climb eve gatherings is just another testimony to the sheer determination with which these folks try to dispel all scientific myths, including gravity. And every now and then science wins and this time it just whooped me.
But we must treat this as a learning opportunity (for others). First lesson of course is that one must imbibe responsibly. And second and more important lesson is not to mix different varieties of alcohol. These lessons are especially important for young folks, who have often mentioned to me that they have come to look up to me as an elder brother. The fact that they are putting more emphasis on “Elder” rather than Brother hasn’t gone un-noticed either. Little do they know that time is as much their enemy as it is mine.
In all, there were nineteen Hutch climbers this year on Mount Shasta. Team Goat, Team PPB (Powerful Pink Bunnies) and Team C-4. Together, we had raised over $100,000 for Breast cancer research before getting to this point.
Climb: Day 1 (June 29th)
Waking up with a blurred memory of previous night’s events is never easy but someone has to do it. Gear check took place at a lazy pace, bags were packed and it was time to head to the bunny flat trailhead. Perhaps you would like to know what it feels like to see other climbers merrily hiking their way to camp one with their 40+ lbs. pack, while you trudge along nursing the after-effects of pre-climb excesses. But I am not going to tell you. I want you to learn from your own experience. System flushing continued with pure fresh Shasta water.
On humanitarian grounds, Chris and I had a tent which was pitched at a safe distance away from rest of our group (Monica, Dave, Bob, Jim). Bean burritos for dinner were yummy. Sleep came in just a few short spurts. Otherwise just toss and turns.
Distance Covered: ~2 miles, Elevation gained: 1000 ft., Altitude: 7900 ft.
Climb: Day 2 (June 30th)
A late wake up, pack up and eat up. Last use of real facilities and second part of climb began. It is always hard traversing the rocky path in climbing boots. I feel like Frankenstein (with looks to match). But soon we were in the avalanche gulch and felt nice to be on snow. Deep breaths, step rest routine and we began to feel like real climbers. We made it to the next camp site in decent time. All covered in snow with a view so beautiful that one can never get tired of it. Tents were pitched, snacks were consumed and it was time for snow school. Walk up, walk down, self-arrest. A little rest, an early dinner of macaroni and cheese and it was time to hit the sack for next day starts at 2:00 AM.
Distance Covered: ~1.5 miles, Elevation gained: 1500 ft., Altitude: 9500 ft.
Climb: Day 3 (Summit Day, July 1st)
Guides came to wake us up at 2:00 AM but we were already awake. Infact, I did not sleep at all. Sleep or no sleep, it was time to get ready. It was really cold out there. A quick deposit in the brown bag, get dressed, put on harness, helmet and head lamp. Shove down the oatmeal, gulp down tea. Backpack felt so light now with just few essentials. At 3:00 AM in the morning, lamps on, poles in hand and it was time to go and climb a mountain.
Early morning hours on the steep slope, a mixture of rain, frozen rain and snow flakes came down. Wind made a few howling runs but we were told that it was just a squall. Everything calmed down when sun came up. It was a beautiful sight with multiple climbing teams making their way up to the Red banks. Crampons had to be taken out at close 11000 ft. and then came the rope. After Red banks, came the Short hill, which is not short at all. Infact, it was reasonably steep and about 1000 ft. of elevation. Then came the Misery hill. All the miserable jokes were told while climbing Misery hill (Q: How many Democrats are needed to screw a light bulb? A: Only one. Bill Clinton. He can screw everything including a light bulb). And then summit came into view and we got the first rush of success within reach. The view from this spot was incredibly beautiful. On the way to summit, there are small hot springs where John Muir once stopped by. Pervasive smell of H2S made Chris really confused and guilty conscious….”Not me, Not me man, Not this time” was uttered a few times. Another 250 ft. of elevation gain and we were home. The beauty of vistas from the top of Mount Shasta can not be described in words. If you ever develop an ability to step out of an airplane in mid-air and walk around, you might see something similar. It was about 11:00 AM. After basking in glory for some time, it was time to head down to base camp, pack up and head back to trail-head. It was a long day.
Distance Covered: ~7.5 miles, Elevation gained: 4700 ft., Elevation Lost: 7200 ft.
Conclusivo
In the end, all this is about people. People who gave us life. People who nurtured us. People who taught us how to wade through this maze called the world. People who influenced us. People we met at random in a strange country. People who made us laugh, when just a smile would have done it. People who are still here and people who will continue to look at me from their heavenly abodes with a raised eyebrow, until time comes for me to depart and take up my assigned duties outside the boundary walls of heaven.
And talking about people, I can’t help but be thankful to wonderful guides of Team C-4. One guide came in a large frame with a carefully concealed southern accent brought out at crucial moments. The other came in a compact, intelligent and comely package with a self-deprecating sense of humor (Q: What is the difference between mountain guide and saving bond certificate? A: Savings bond certificate eventually matures and becomes useful). It was no surprise that I had to finally learn the proper use of my large Butt from a woman, when glissading down 2500 ft. I was misguided but all I needed was a little Miss-guidance. And as if these lessons of such humility weren’t enough, our guides brought another quasi-guide, an extremely charming denizen of an always humble, hockey playing neighbor from north of the border.
On these adventures, there comes a time when your body’s fuel gauge seems to be at E and it seems that there is just enough left to take perhaps one more step. In such times, some people breathe in thin air and go another mile and redefine the meaning of will power. On Mount Shasta, I have had the privilege of huffing and puffing along with more than a few such uber-extraordinary people.
Click here to enjoy the pictorial trip.
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