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EI Team Bags Mt. Borah in Record Time!
In the weeks leading up to August 18th, life for nine climbers pretty much revolved around Chicken Ridge. Chicken Ridge, the 'fall-and-that's-it' legendary knife ledge that has to be crossed in order to reach the summit of Mt. Borah, was all any of the team members of EI's Mt. Borah Climb could talk or think about. chanted it on training hikes straightup Mt. Baldy (literally, no switchbacks), detailed accounts ofthe infamous ridge traverse by successful Borah climbers were discussed in detail. And every team member had purchased the requisite "hold on for dear life" gloves. As the team pulled out of Ketchum the evening before, headed for the Wagon Wheel Motel near the trailhead, Kapp's husband couldn't help but flap his arms teasingly: "Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck." In addition to the Summit team, a "Support team" of nine also participated in the Borah Climb. The plan was for this second group to leave Ketchum in the morning, climb part way up the mountain and meet the first group on their descent. The Summit team, on the trail by 4am, ascended 5,500 feet to summit the 12,668 foot peak, Idaho's highest, in just over four hours; and descended in the same amount of time. This beat the guide's time plan by five hours. "We totally underestimated the amazing athletic capability of this group," said lead guide, Erik Leidecker, of Sawtooth Mountain Guides. On top, just as the last two climbers appeared out of the final boulder field onto the summit, bright sun broke through the foreboding gray skies. Hugs were shared; tribute flags bearing the names of friends and family touched by breast cancer were flown. Everyone agreed that Chicken Ridge, where most of the group had roped up with a guide to cross, was as thrilling as it was terrifyingÑand overall, not as bad as anticipated. |
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Each of the eight women and one man (Russ Merrill, an EI Board Member) on the Summit team raised at least $2500 for EI, to fund breast cancer research grants. The Support team also participated significantly in fundraising. According to one climber, raising the money was the easy part: "I sent out 30 letters to friends, and had 100% participation. The cause sold itself," said Diana Kapp. Altogether, over $30,000. was raised by the Borah climbers. The Borah Team, including spouses, kids, guides and EI staff, numbering close to sixty, gathered that evening at the homeof two of the climbers for celebration, war-stories, and a fewmargaritas. Toasts were made. Gag prizes were given. A rubber chicken, however, was not among them! |
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Bras for a Cause WROR, 105.7 Classic Hits radio station in Boston hosted the East Coast version of the Los Angeles celebrity bra auction—Bras for a Cause. Sue Cope, a host of the WROR morning show, orchestrated a fabulous evening, October 9 at the Avalon Ballroom. Over 400 people participated in the festivities, starting with an open bar reception, followed by a fashion show and live auction and the Johnny Ray Band. Bras designed by everyone from Olympia Dukakis to Loren and Wally, WROR's Morning Show Duo raised over $30,000. Many thanks to WROR, Under- cover Wear, Corners Framing, Santa Rita Wines, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Samuel Adams, Konditor Meister, KaBloom and Lauren Caterer's. All proceeds from the event benefited Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, The Ellie Fund and Expedition Inspiration. Thank you again to the entire staff at WROR, especially Sue Cope, Jill Clapp and Bob Pedder; Deborah Forter and Susan Whalen from MBCC and Jeff Popkin from The Ellie Fund. |
  (left) Morning show hosts, Loren and Wally (right) Bra designed by Pamela Anderson |
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