In just 24 days I will be standing at the foot of one of our country’s most coveted mountains. Sure, I’ve been up 14ers in Colorado which take you from the base to summit in about 4,500′, but Rainier is a monster in its own right. Rainier’s height from base is twice as high giving our team an ascent of 9,010′. Our team… In February of 2006 I began to assemble a team that is now at the solid number of 8 (Brad and Becky Davidson, Jon Waldron, Erick Waldron, Brett Harrison, Ashley Tuggle, Wil Watkins, and myself). All have purchased airline tickets, bought gear, and train appropriately. Speaking of training…what must one do to prepare for a trip like this?? Well the standard answer to the question “how to prepare to hike in an upward fashion with a full pack”…is to “hike in an upward fashion with a full pack.” I’ll put the pack on with a treadmill at full incline about 2 weeks before the trip…as for now, it’s all about physical fitness. I hate lifting so I’ve become quite creative with exercises that replicate activities on the mountain. Chin-ups (to pull myself out of a crevasse), stairs (obvious), and push-ups are just a few. As for coordination - I give most of the credit to Ashley Tuggle. She spent 40 days on a NOLS course last summer in the Himalayas on glaciated terrain mostly above 14,000′. I “commissioned” her to coordinate and organize the trip. It’s been hard letting go of the reigns but she has done an outstanding job planning for the actual climb.

So why would I want to take a chance of falling in a crevasse, being blown off the top of a volcano, or sliding off the side of the glaciated mountain you might ask. The adventure has been calling since I saw this mountain at the age of 12. I have longed to play on such a mountain and done maximum planning to remove as much risk as possible. So join me (in whatever capacity) and wish me well as I set forth to enjoy a week on the mountain.

After holding the tickets for nearly a month I spent Monday evening just 6 short rows from her stage. Although 6 rows from Norah was pretty great, it wasn’t as great as sitting next to my date! Songs like Come Away With Me, Don’t Know Why, and Feelin’ the Same Way all made the set. I was able to snap a few blurred photos even though they said “no cameras.”

BTW - is it just me, or does Norah look like Mila Kunis (Jackie from “That 70s Show)?”

Have you ever put a bite of ice cream, coffee, or steak in your mouth and thought “wow, that’s the best I’ve ever had.” I had one of those experiences over the weekend. My parents were in town and got to experience a little taste of “cowtown,” as they call it. Friday I took them to Mancuso’s, a great hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant. Saturday we did a quick drive through the legendary Fort Worth Stockyards…then over to Lockheed for a plant tour. Saturday night Dad said he wanted to go somewhere nice (after only eating TX traditional last time). So we went to dinner at Del Frisco’s. I had heard it was good…but had no idea. All ordered a steak…mine was a 16oz fillet. And yes…it was the best steak I’ve ever had.

As I glance across at the whiteboard the number 44 stares me in the face. What’s significant about 44 you ask? 44 days from now I will be at the foot of Mt. Rainier in Washington. 44 days to finalize details like hotel, transportation, gear, group coordination, permits, etc. On July 21st I and 7 of my close friends will meet in Seattle, WA to begin a week-long adventure on the mountain/volcano/glacier of Rainier. The itinerary will all depend on weather - but will include (1) a short ascent to Camp Curtis 4,600ft to 9,000ft (2) snow school (3) ascend to Emmons Flat Camp and leave a couple days for (4) Summit Attempts to 14,410′.

Some of you have asked recently about AA-1 (tail number of the first F-35 test article). It’s been down for maintenance but I did manage to find some of the flight test photos.