Matterhorn Fail, but Whitney's on the Horizon

So 2 weekends ago I attempted to climb the california matterhorn, but due to level 3 (of 5) avalanche danger I didn't even make it past 8,000 ft. But some of the good news is I got great avalanche training and awareness and great winter camping experience. It was pretty darn cold while I was climbing the daytime high was in the low teens and the night time low was -4 degrees. Thankfully my gear performed great I was warm all the time except for my toes because i got snow in my boots.... I think I got a bit of frost nip because right before my toes were a tad pale and i could not feel them until i used my hands to warm them up. Even more good news is I will be heading back up to Bridgeport for either a 2nd shot at the mountain this month or next month or a advanced snow and basic ice climbing class AND I may climb Mt. Baldy this weekend AND I'm climbing San Gorgonio on the 19th. So I have an exciting month coming up. Best of all I just got my permit to climb Mt. Whitney this june 4 days after I graduate. Even more exciting is I will have a famous mountaineer go with me. He once held the record for the fastest ascent of the 50 high points in the USA this includes Denali and Rainier and Whitney and he did it alone. So I will be in good hands for those of you who worry about me. So although I failed my most recent summit attempt there is still much more to come and the journey is still just getting started.

Mission Accomplished

I've met my fundraising goal for Big City Mountaineers! As of right now I've raised $2,050 for Big City Mountaineers which is $50 over my goal! I'm super happy I have now raised enough money to send 5 kids with 5 mentors into the back country for 1 week with all their gear and food. Now one half of my project is over and the second half will be finished next week when I go on a 3 day climb to the summit of the California Matterhorn. But that does not mean I will stop climbing or fundraising for BCM or updating my blog. So keep checkin in with updates with all my future climbs.

Geared Up and Ready to Go!

I just got my last piece of gear this friday so now I am 100% geared up for my 3 day climb to the summit of the California Matterhorn in two weeks. When I got my Black Diamond Sabretooth Crampons in the mail I was super pumped as I inspect my new toys i realized how much fun climbing is and I know these crampons are going to take me though a lot of climbing they can do anything from climbing Everest to Technical Ice Climbing so i know i wont have to buy any other crampons. I know I had crampons before but I had to return them because they did not work well with my Vasque Radiator mountaineering boots that I got from REI. They were a steal $205 for boots that go for $425 Im very happy with them and I know they will take me far as well. Now all that is left is to wait out these next 12 days until I leave for my climb! I am really nearing the end of my project with my final climb 2 weeks away and being only $90 from my fundraising goal itseems like this project is over just as it was really getting started. But at least I already know climbing mountains will be a lifelong passion of mine.