Excited!!

Ok, a little bit of exiting news. I have some fun stuff coming up that i wanted to let you all know about. First, in two weeks, on April 11th and 12th I will be attempting to climb Uncompagre Peak (Pictured). It is the 6th highest mountain in Colorado and the 35th highest in North America. A total of 14,321 feet. The upper slopes will be covered in snow fields and ice, so my partner and I have decided to use crampons and ice axes! A technique I have alway wanted to try. Don't get me wrong, I have experience in using both of these tools, however not on a large scale mountain. We will also be employing a rope team. Basically, we will be tied to each other and climbing at the same time, so if one person falls, the other has a chance to stop them before they go careening off the mountain (basically, through your axe in a solid hold, stomp your crampons in and prepare to take a mighty force, all in a few seconds. Actually, thats about all there is to it...). Also, if there is a more technical section, one person can 'lead' the pitch while the other belays, and then vice-versa. If we reach the summit it will be my first 14er, and my highest summit yet! Not to mention my first 'winter' ascent. (I say winter because it pretty much will be up there.)

Now my second piece of exiting news. On April 24th I will be participating in a relay for life held at my school. I joined a team put together in one of my classes, and we will be walking the track (in relays, go figure) all night! I am exited to do this because I have always wanted to. My grandmother was very important in my life (she taught me an appreciation of adventure and the outdoors, not to mention how to snowboard!) and she died of cancer when I was still very young. Also my aunt had cancer a few years ago as well as multiple other members of my extended family. I want to relay to put an end to cancer. So no one else has to lose their grandmothers the way I did. Grandma Monge, this is for you!

More info to come as both of these events get closer.