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Follow TA’s quest to stand atop the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
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In June of 2008, TA will return to the Khumbu Valley in Nepal to attempt Pumori. Pumori, translated as Everest’s Daughter, is 7161 peak with a commanding view of Everest. TA is attempting to be the first Canadian woman to summit Pumori and is using the climb to promote awareness of breast cancer.
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In October of 2008, TA will return to the plains of Africa to attempt Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, is the highest peak in Africa at 5895 metres and if often referred to as “The Roof of Africa.”
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In December 2007, TA is traveling once again to South America, this time to climb Chile’s highest peak and the world’s highest volcano, Ojos de Salado (6835 metres). This peak is considered part of the “Second Seven,” the second highest peaks on each continent–all of which are considered harder to climb that their “First” seven counterparts.
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My mission with Everest-007 was to inspire the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador to go after their dreams and to get more physically active. I presented this message to over 10,000 youth in the province before my Everest expedition. During the expedition, several schools undertook physical activity projects that mimicked my ascent of Everest. I received 25-30 emails a day from children while I was on the mountain. Despite not getting to "climb as high as I wished," my quest to make Everest "More than a Mountain" was a resounding success.
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Aconcagua, which means “Stone Sentinel,” is the highest peak in South America and the highest peak outside the Himalayas. It is the third of the “Seven Summits” I climbed. Located in Argentina near the border with Chile, Aconcagua rises approximately 1300 meters above its neighboring peaks and it truly dominates the rugged Andes mountain range. On Aconcagua, I climbed the Vacas Valley Route to the Guacanos Route and then descended via the Normal Route. This combination used a more remote access route to the mountain and ensured good opportunities for acclimatization. After weeks of extremely cold weather, we summitted on December 28, 2006.
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The last time I was in Russia, I was playing hockey. That was back in 1993 when I was in graduate
school in Minnesota. I traveled to Saratov, Russia to play in the Valerie Kharlamov Memorial Hockey
Tournament in the first year that women were invited to play. On August 26th, I’ll be traveling
again to Russia but this time I will exchange my hockey stick for ice axe and pursue the summit of
Mount Elbrus instead of hat tricks.
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After the breakfast special at Zachary’s, requisite stops at Whotbourne and Gobbies, and a long
drive down the dirt highway, we arrived at Monkstown. Now a small community of just 22 at the head
of Paradise Sound, Monkstown would be the launching pad for our Placentia Bay adventure. We drove
around town looking for a launch spot and met a local woman who said it was fine to park behind
buddy’s boat. The beach was pitched shallow and allowed for one of the shortest carries to
load a boat ever. The wind blew lightly up the Sound and we were ready to set off in no time with
11 days of supplies fitting easily in our two boats. I paddled my red Necky Looksha IV named the
Lucky Rickshaw and Karen paddled Antony’s as of yet nameless yellow P&H Capella. The Sound
was a lovely green tunnel hemmed in by brown cliffs rising from either side. Small pocket beaches
could be found frequently. We stopped to stretch out legs at a delightful spot then paddled down to
Channel’s Harbour. We began our daily habit of seeing eagles soar over the cliffs.
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Cho Oyu is considered a prerequisite peak for climbing Mount Everest. This expedition will give me
the opportunity to climb at extreme elevations to prepare myself for the ultimate challenge of
Everest. The climb will take seven weeks to complete and begins in August 2006.
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For twenty days in March and April, I will be participating in an Advanced Sea Kayaking Seminar for
instructors sponsored by the National Outdoor Leadership School. We travel the outer coast of
Northwest Vancouver Island. This contrasting environment of the temperate rain forest and ever
changing sea will present challenging paddling conditions. We’ll spend a time passing through
both the soup and surf zones as we launch and land on beaches along the way.
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I have a soul-level connection with the Red Rock country of southern
Utah. The multicolored layers of rock remind me that I am but a small
speck in geologic time. I stand in stunned silence as I truly take in
the history that is visible to me. I journeyed to this part of the
world with a Hampshire College group of eight students and their
instructor, Karen Warren.
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When I was last in Nepal and Tibet in 2002, I fell deeply in love with prayer
flags. Prayer flags are flown by Buddhists from mountain passes and summits,
from bridges, from homes, and from stupas. The brightly colored flags have
prayers printed on them that are released when the wind blows. I fly them from
my house and in my office at work-they reach a deep part of me that is beyond
words. The Tibetan term Lung Ta literally means windhorse and it has become
practically synonymous with the English term "prayer flag".
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The NOLS Denali expedition called from near the base of
Karsten's Ridge at 12,000' last night (6/29).
EVERY EXPEDITION MEMBER
REACHED THE SUMMIT. They had a warm, pleasant climb up to the summit. At the
peak they had about 5 degrees Fahrenheit and a light breeze with passing clouds,
with views that were in and out. While descending to 17,000', a storm began to
come in with snow and stronger winds. Everyone is healthy and happy!
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This year’s Grand Adventure began in Las Vegas on April 17. After a
long day of flying we all gathered at the hotel and exchanged stories
of airline hassles and reroutes. The group has seven members: Natelle,
Lisa, Sherry, Marie, Greg, Lucy, and Karen…all of whom live in or have
connections to Newfoundland. The trips leaders are TA Loeffler and Norm
Fair.
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