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Reflections from Mount Rainier, By Eve Ruff I don't think that I could possibly have understood this lovely quote had it not been for my experiences this summer with Expedition Inspiration and Mount Rainier. After all, in our contemporary, over-achieving, high- performance lives, anything short of a successful summit would surely sour months of training, camaraderie and fundraising. That's what all of my friends were waiting for-the word from the mountain on a sunny afternoon in July that we climbers had reached the 14,441 foot mark. That's not what was in store for our climbing party. We were four woman of varying age, size and fitness levels brought together through the leadership of EI Medical Board Chair, Dr. Julie Gralow. Julie's idea of getting in shape included challenging her friends and colleagues to do so too-so there we began. Julie, Susan, Jill and me, Eve. Laura Evans knew of the mountain's power. She wrote of it in "The Climb of My Life," but I couldn't understand her words until I trained and walked her steps on Mount Rainier. That's the gift that she gave us all-a road map for walking up our own mountains; whatever they are. Each of us had come to Rainier for our own reasons and every one of us came so that Laura's spirit could live on through our work. |
Hour after hour we took step after step. The sky above us was blue except for the massive ice fields above Disappointment Cleaver and Columbia Crest at about 14,100 feet. Night was spent in tents at Protection Point. It seemed like only moments before we were roused, lacing up our crampons, donning headlamps, grabbing ice axes and heading up one more time. I still cannot find the words to describe the
beauty I saw. It was difficult to take it all in.
For various reasons, we were only able to reach 11,000 feet. I cried since I didn't yet understand that success lay not above me on the summit, but within me and with the lessons I'd learned to use for the rest of my life. Our descent was relaxed and joyous. At Paradise we plopped our packs to the ground and sighed the contented sigh of successful climbers; for that's what we now were. Thank you Laura, and all of the wonderful people who make up the EI family, for understanding that inner strength and experience are what bring us happiness. It was my privilege to use my health on behalf of you and women the world over who suffer from breast cancer. Thank you Julie, Jill and Susan, for sharing a part of yourselves with me this last summer. I will forever be grateful. I'll be back to the mountain again in 2003, but I'll never again think that the only successful path is the one that leads to the summit. For the complete version of Eve's story click here. |
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A Grand Trip to Remember In loving memory of Carole Liberatore, Kathy Koch and JoAnn Ching Penn. "When I lost Mum 10 years ago to breast cancer, several personal promises and choices surfaced as my life priorities. These points included:
As my adult and professional life has unfolded, I have remained true to these ideas. And now, with the offering of this trip, I invite you to proactively step out and make a difference. If not now, then when? I wrote the above thoughts when I was conceiving the premise and anticipating the rewards of offering the Grand Teton trip with Expedition Inspiration. Presently, with the success of the trip a few months behind, I linger in the warmth and countless memories that reflect the aforementioned ideas. The individual personalities and the consequential team spirit surpassed my every expectation. I wish to thank and congratulate each team member for accepting the challenge to embrace life. You are all TRULY an inspiration to me...Cheers to life and the mountains!" - Cara |
These words from Cara Liberatore, who volunteered her time, expertise, and boundless energy to make our Grand Teton trip a success, can only serve to further inspire those who read them. The Grand Teton trip was underwritten by Diane Warren, of the Diane Warren Foundation, in memory of her friend, Michele Ann Potkin. Thank you, Diane, for your continued support of Expedition Inspiration. Idaho Public Television was on hand to film the week's exploits. Stay tuned to our website for dates when their documentary will be on the air. Thank you to Jim Peck and Alan Austin for taking part in this great adventure on behalf of EI.
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