 Conditioning :: Climbing in Idaho's remote mountain ranges requires that team members be in good physical condition. No technical skills are needed, as the climb will be under the supervision of Sawtooth Mountain Guides. Conditioning is the single most important way to ensure a fun, safe and successful experience. To arrive in good health and 100 percent fit, we suggest strenuous hiking leading up to the climb. The best preparation for this hike is walking or running to emphasize leg strength and to challenge your cardiovascular system. Walking or day hiking on hills on a daily basis with a 10 to15 lb. day pack will condition your legs and accustom your body to carrying a lightweight pack. If there are no hills nearby, climbing stairs or stadium steps (up and down) is a good substitute. Training with ski or trekking poles will help you adapt to using these great "knee savers". Cycling and swimming are also effective ways to train for a hike. Good luck on your training program as you prepare for this once in a lifetime adventure with Expedition Inspiration! Remember, the better condition you are in,the more you will enjoy your climb. Other Training Measures: - You must train wearing the clothing you will be wearing for the hike; this is no time to get blisters from new boots a few hours into your hike. You need to experiment with your socks, underwear,shirts, pants, and waterproof or thermal clothing. Will you need Vaseline for wear spots, or will you use micropore? Heaven forbid you are caught thinking, "What do you mean these boots aren't waterproof?"
- This also includes backpacks, which are loaded with the same equipment you will take hiking. Not only is it important for the musculoskeletal and metabolic training effect, but also you need to get used to wearing the backpack and feeling the specific aches and pains. Spend time getting the straps and packing right BEFORE you are half way through the hike.
- You will have to attempt to train in similar climates; hot destinations require training in heat (e.g., the heat of the day)and cold destinations require training at colder periods (e.g., between 1 - 5a.m.).
- Your hiking must be that: Don't just go up and down on a stepper. You must prepare your neuromuscular system for walking on uneven ground that slides out below your feet: Lift your feet a little higher than usual to step over rocks or uneven pebbles, etc. Prepare your hips, knees and lower back.
- You need to ensure that your diet is supporting your level of activity, especially your iron intake. You cannot afford to be anemic when the O2 gets scarce.
- Finally, I like to remind clients to prepare mentally. This includes training without headphones and for long hours. It will do little good training for two hours a day every other day when you will be hiking for eight to 10 hours...or longer. After reaching the summit, it's the hike out that is most often fraught with mental and physical fatigue. This is where mental ability must stay focused in order to overcome or avoid unnecessary injuries. (It also makes the cold beer after more enjoyable.)
-Diane Olson, MBA, CFT, ACE, AFAA, AIFE certified
Equipment: What You Need To Bring
Clothing - Dress in layers prepared for changeable mountain weather and ranging from sunny and hot to windy, wet and cool. (shorts and Capilene shirt to fleece top and bottom)
- Rain/wind jacket with hood (Gore-Tex, etc. or coated nylon)
- Rain/wind pants
Personal Items - Backpack- 20-30 lb. capacity
- LUNCH& SNACKS! Bring your own please!
- Sunglasses,sunscreen, and lip balm
- Light gloves-fleece or wool, sun hat, ski hat
- Ski/trekking poles (optional)
- Two water bottles (approximately 1 liter capacity)
- Bandana
- Pocketknife
- Lighter/matches
- Personal first aid kit
- Climbing harness (from SMG)
- Climbing helmet (from SMG)
Footwear - Hiking boots or sturdy hiking shoes (preferably broken-in)
- Wool socks
- Liner socks
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"Until there's a cure(s), there's a climb!"The tradition of climbing is at the core of our foundation.Laura Evans founded Expedition Inspiration in the spirit of climbing and overcoming breast cancer. Some of Laura's best quotes in regard to mountainclimbing and overcoming breast cancer are in her book, "The Climb of MyLife.""Climbing is a reconfirmation of one's own strength andcapacity to survive. To climb mountains, in itself, enriches our lives. Itopens doors, expands our awareness, and exposes us to new and enlighteningexperiences.""I love the natural wisdom, humility, and acceptancethat come to those who spend time in the wilderness. In the mountains, it'sjust you, stripped to the core, smelly, fearful, and unsure about what liesahead, with only your attitude and will to see you through. It is survival,learning to live with less and rely on others more.""There is a fear in climbing: a quiet subtle echo whenyou look up or down or into the yawning mouth of the crevasse. It is not fearthat keeps me climbing. It is the beauty of hardship, of having endured,survived, pushed on that magnifies the beauty of everyday life." —FounderLaura Evans Expedition Inspiration's climbs are structured to empowerand promote the health and well being of all who participate, while increasingthe amount of funding available for breast cancer research. Each participanthelps the cause by donating or raising funds above and beyond the actual costsof the adventure.  | Devil's Bedstead, 2011 :: Five team members climbed Devil's Bedstead at 11,865 feet. The Northeast ridge is a class 3-4 route. Nancy Knoble, chair elect, also climbed Phi Kappa with 10 team members. Phi Kappa Alpha stands at 10,516 feet. More »
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| Elephant's Perch, 2009 :: A team of six climbed a non-technical but very strenuous route of the Elephant's Perch with a 2,400 foot vertical gain. The team was led by Sawtooth Mountain Guides and enjoyed a celebration dinner at the world famous Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch. More »
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| Mt. Borah, 2008 :: The Expedition Inspiration Fund For Breast Cancer Research is pleased to announce that its team of hardy adventurers successfully summited Idaho's highest peak, 12,668 foot Mt. Borah. The team climbed the stunning and challenging mountain on August 23, 2008. More »
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| Castle Peak, 2007 :: Two teams of 25 adventurers successfully summited Castle Peak, which at 11,815 feet is the highest in Idaho's isolated White Cloud Mountain Range. The teams raised a record $81,000. The teams included breast cancer survivors, friends and participants who hailed from eight states. Expedition Inspiration board members Heidi Mickelson and Stephanie Olson of Ketchum, Idaho, and Nancy Knoble of Enterprise, Oregon, Medical Advisory Committee member Kathleen Grant, M.D., of San Francisco, and Advisory Board Committee member Courtney Kapp of Philadelphia were all team members. More »
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| Ryan Peak, 2006 :: Our team of hearty adventurers successfully summited Ryan Peak, which at 11,715 feet is the highest in Idaho's Boulder Mountain Range. A record of number of 28 climbers took advantage of a perfect Idaho summer day to reach the summit on Saturday, August 19. Another 10 hikers supported the summit team and hiked to various elevations in the valley, including 10,040-foot West Pass. More »
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| Hyndman Peak, 2005 :: A team of bold adventurers successfully summited Hyndman Peak, which at 12,009 feet is the highest in Idaho's Pioneer Mountain Range. Twenty-one climbers took advantage of a perfect Idaho summer day to reach the summit on Saturday, August 20. Another 10 hikers supported the summit team and hiked to various elevations on Hyndman's flank, including the 10,800-foot saddle between Hyndman and Old Hyndman Peaks. This is the largest number of climbers in Expedition Inspiration's ten-year history. More »
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| Thompson Peak, 2004 :: Two teams of courageous adventurers successfully summited Thompson Peak, which at 10,776 feet is the highest in Idaho's Sawtooth Range. Nineteen climbers fought winter condition—high winds, snow, and rain—to reach the summit on Tuesday, August 24. The teams included breast cancer survivors, friends and family of those who are fighting the breast cancer battle. More than $30,000 was raised on Expedition Inspiration's Thompson Peak Climb. More »
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| Mt. Borah, 2003 :: Starting at 4 a.m., the Summit team ascended 5,500 feet to summit Idaho's highest peak at 12,668 feet. The summit took four hours, as did the descent, which 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. In addition to the summit team, a "support team" of nine also participated in the Borah climb. The second group planned to leave Ketchum in the morning, climb part way up the mountain and meet the first group on their descent. More »
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| Mt Rainier, 2002 :: A team of four enthusiastic climbers set off July 17 for the climb of Mt. Rainier. Eve Ruff, Jillian Hopkins, Susan Yaszay and Julie Gralow undertook this arduous adventure to raise funds for breast cancer research. Detoured—but not undone—by weather, the team had a wonderful climbing experience. Many thanks to Julie Gralow, MD, who organized the team and who also sits as chair of the Expedition Inspiration Medical Advisory Committee. More »
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| Appalachian Trail, 2002 :: The bald mountains of Tennessee were just one of the highlights of our second hike along the Appalachian Trail, September 15-21. The balds offered incredible panoramas of the surrounding mountains with just a hint of fall colors. The views, the colors, and the beautiful weather made for a memorable hike over challenging terrain. The crystal clear water of Laurel Falls was breathtaking and a most welcome sight after four days of backpacking. A plunge into the waters helped to sooth the trail-weary muscles of the hikers. More »
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| Mt Whitney, 2001 :: "The First Annual Michele Ann Potkin Memorial Climb" up Mt. Whitney was held in late August. Our team summited to a beautiful sunrise on August 30. The climb was dedicated to honor Michele, who climbed with EI founder, Laura Evans. Michele perished in an avalanche in 2000. Her dear friend, Diane Warren, underwrote this climb as a fitting tribute to Michele, her love of climbing, and her commitment to the breast cancer cause. Many thanks to Diane Warren and The Diane Warren Foundation for supporting EI. More »
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