Blessed by brilliantly sunny skies and gentle winds, 12 close friends and family members of Laura Evans, the founder of Expedition Inspiration, traveled in late July to climb the majestic 14,410' jewel of the Cascades. This was no ordinary group of summit baggers, rather, this team was fulfilling a special mission. They were roping up as part of Expedition Inspiration's 2001 Rainier climb in memory and honor of Laura Evans. The team's first challenge occurred before the actual summit attempt. The climb was to be led by Peter Whittaker and his peerless guides at Rainier Mountaineering. However, EI's co-founder, Board Member and Laura's climbing kindred spirit, was recovering from recent Achilles tendon surgery. Unfazed, Win Whittaker, Pete's brother and a renowned climbing guide combined with Erika Whittaker (Peter's multi-talented wife and RMI guide), to lead the way up Rainier's foreboding face. The climb got underway with a required one-day clinic on glacial climbing know-how, such as ice-axe arrest, traveling in crampons and rope team precautions. The following day, bright skies paired with bright smiles as the team made its way up 4,500' of the glacier's broad ice fields to Camp Muir, the midway point. That evening the team solemnly gathered in a circle, with prayer flags unfurled and candles lit, in a touching tribute ceremony honoring Laura. Memories were recalled, favorite stories were told, and it became evident that Laura was not only there, but she had assumed full control of the normally unpredictable weather, ensuring this would be no ordinary summit day. After a couple hours of sleep, the team was awakened at midnight. Under a star-filled sky, the arduous summit attempt was underway. Six breathless hours later, the "Tribute Team," powered by Laura's indomitable spirit and her passion for Rainier, reached the glacier's panoramic summit. As a clear, cold day dawned on the summit, guide Robert Link, Laura's good friend and frequent climbing partner, expressed the team's final sentiments and released Laura's spirit forever to the swirling winds of Rainier. From EI and all of the climbing team, we extend a special thanks to Peter Whittaker and the entire staff at RMI for putting together a masterfully planned event, for their generosity and for their caring. Thanks especially to the stellar group of RMI's professional guides: Win Whittaker, Erika Whittaker, Robert Link, Justin Merle, Anderson Heagy, Brian Williams, Mason Henderson and professional photographer Skye Thompson. "Congratulations to all the team members: Lisa Norby (Laura's sister), Harley Norby (nephew), EI Board members Roger Evans (husband), Heidi Mickelson, Deborah Van Dyke King and Dr. Ron Dorn; Stephen Hughes, Kimberly Zunino, Tom Shanks, Eleanor Davis, Dr. Kathleen Grant, a member of the Medical Board, and her husband, Dr. Tom Jackson. "...The mountains called out to Laura. She enjoyed the hardships, the discomfort, and the physical and mental aspects of the climb. High peaks became the places she wanted to be. Laura and I became friends, climbing partners and eventually business partners. We thought big, we shared ambitions, and for over three years worked launching and organizing Expedition Inspiration. I was the 'expedition,' Laura, the 'inspiration.' The message - don't just sit back and have breast cancer, do something about it, be positive, power through the tough times, do not stop living life. Laura's passing has left an irreplaceable void in many of our lives. Our sorrow runs deep, yet the inspiration remains. She touched, influenced and changed many lives in a positive way. And when I climb high up in the mountains, above a sea of clouds, I am with Laura. She is my climbing partner. The wind is cold, my breath short and my anxiety high. Laura laughs and I feel her presence. I relax and smile. It's OK - she's here." ~ Peter Whittaker