Happy New Year and thank you for your generous support of Climb For Hope. In just a couple of years Andrew Buerger's vision of using mountaineering expeditions to raise awareness and desperately needed funds for Breast Cancer research has become a reality. Your generosity and that of hundreds of others has helped CFH raise over a half a million dollars. Our nation's financial situation has resulted in an even tighter competition for grant dollars. Dr Leisha Emen's immuno-based therapy study has benefited greatly from your donations. You are ensuring her research continues to move forward.

Michelle Timmerman is currently down in Ecuador in an effort to summit the highest active volcano in the world, Mt. Cotopaxi. Michelle and I were initially hoping to go together, but we started our fundraising a little late and only one of us was able to go. I was fortunate to make it to the summit of Cotopaxi in 2007 and this opportunity definitely belonged to Michelle. So, I figured I'd give you a "Michelle Update"…

First, the team. Michelle is a part of a seven person team, including two professional guides from Earth Treks. She emailed me an update from Quito, so I figured I'd share a little about them in her own words:

"Ross is living the dream, having the time of his life and riding high! He has always dreamed of going on this expedition, it started over 15 years ago. He is a family man and misses them very much but he is so happy to have the opportunity to be here. He is a character and is always breaking out some crazy stories either about his family or friends. His sister in law passed away Jan. 12 of 08 from breast cancer and he was committed that day to trying to help in some way in the hopes of finding a cure for breast cancer. He signed up for CFH the very next day."

"Travis is a great guy with a big smile! He is so thrilled to be a part of the CFH team. He has been hiking/mountaineering for over 25 years and has been waiting for this opportunity to climb a high peak, let alone be able to contribute to raising money to help fight breast cancer. When he isn't climbing peaks in his back yard (like the Adirondacks) he is travelling the world. His latest international adventure took him to New Zealand. He shared with the team that he realizes that this journey to Cotopaxi is not about him but of the many women who are fighting for their life against the disease of breast cancer."

"Patrick is a hoot, I think he has a chance at stand-up comedy. But aside from the fact that he is super funny he is 100% committed to CFH. He is a beginner when it comes to hiking let alone mountaineering and he is fearless. He is has two summits under his belt (since he's been in Ecuador) and is looking strong. He shared with the team that he was in a place in his life where he was doing some soul searching when he found Climb for Hope. He said it was an easy decision for him to commit to the goal of fundraising. Hence, his journey began. He was amazed at the outpouring of support that he received and is very grateful for his family and friends for helping him reach his fundraising goal."

"Hari is a sincere, good guy. He has a great sense of humor and sweet disposition. Both him and Patrick are roommates and go to grad school together. He too is a beginner hiker and until this week has never summited a mountain, let alone two over 12,000 ft. He shared with the team that he did not know how breast cancer had touch his family and friends until he joined CFH. He was shocked at how close the disease hit home. He created a secure foundation of family and friends that helped to propel him to his fundraising goal and gladly admits he would not be in Ecuador without their love and support."

The guides:

Nelson, has guided mountaineering expeditions in Nepal, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Tanzania, Russia and throughout the U.S. He has summited Ama Dablam and Cho Oyu and has been on expeditions to Nanga Parbat. He also spent time working as an instructor for Colorado's Outward Bound Schools, a part time gig in the Grand Canyon as a backcountry ranger, and a river guide on the Snake River in Jackson, WY. Though he probably doesn't remember it, he was my instructor at a class at Earth Treks back in 2001.

Dan began his climbing career in 1978 and since then has ventured into the mountains of five continents with ascents in countries including Pakistan, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Russia, Tanzania, India and Nepal (and Denali in Alaska). I climbed with Dan on the first CFH expedition to Ecuador where he was nicknamed "Lt. Dan" for his intensity during our climb of Cotopaxi. As serious as Dan may be when the team ropes-up to one another, he is equally (if not more) warm and well humored off the mountain. It is a constant relief to know that Michelle and the team are in Dan and Nelsons capable hands.

Acclimatizing: The team arrived in Quito last Saturday. Actually, Michelle and Ross had to land in Panama City twice for mechanical repairs on their way to Quito from Houston, so they really arrived on Sunday. Since Quito is at 10,000 feet of elevation, the process of acclimatizing began with their arrival. Since then, the team has successfully summited two peaks: Pasochoa (Monday) and Pichincha (Tuesday).

Pasochoa is an extinct volcano only 20 miles from Quito and makes for a great acclimatization climb. On their way to the summit at 13,776 feet, the team walked through a herd of bulls and their last 600 feet of climbing was completely vertical where they used both hands and feet to make their way. You'll find some pictures here: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151508/pasochoa.html.

Pichincha is a stratovolcano and the highest mountain in the range that immediately surrounds the city of Quito. While it may not be a "technical" climb, at 15,700 feet climbers must truly earn this summit. It is a full day. Michelle and Dan reported that all climbers looked strong and they summited and descended in a very short period of time. Though tired, the team felt strong upon their return to the hotel. This is great news and a sign that each individual on the team has trained and prepare well. Here's a great picture of Pichincha: http://www.flickr.com/photos/solaluminacaptura/88449822/.

The Things They'll Carry: The team will spend the remainder of today getting prepared for Cotopaxi. They'll review their gear lists, try on their double plastic boots and fit their crampons. The process of packing for a climb is one that involves "loops." Tonight, they'll be in their rooms, spreading out their gear on their beds and their floors. They'll pack their bag, then unpacking their bag, looking for anything they can leave behind to reduce the weight and pack it again. Maybe they'll forget if they packed something they needed for the hike to the hut and they'll unpack and pack again. When they're finally done packing, they'll try to get some sleep for their early start to Cotopaxi tomorrow morning.

I'll be sending another update to everyone on Friday (1/9/09) when the team has made it to base camp. Michelle has an Iridium satellite phone that was generously loaned by our friend Herb Wilkins. At that time, I'll be able to give you an update on the mountains conditions and another report on how the team is doing with their acclimatization. The last update will come Saturday or Sunday (10th or 11th), once everyone is down the mountain and safely back in Quito.