Climb Against the Odds 2024

A Journey of Strength, Resilience, and Dedication

Each year, the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) host an extraordinary event called Climb Against the Odds. BCPP is a national organization dedicated to eradicating toxic chemicals and environmental exposures that contribute to breast cancer.

Climb Against the Odds has been a beacon of hope, awareness, and fundraising for the past 25 years. It's not just about summiting Mount Shasta; it's about honoring breast cancer victims and survivors, raising funds for prevention, and showcasing the strength of the human spirit. As someone who has been a guide or coach for this event for nearly 20 years, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of this climb.

The Commitment: 16 Weeks of Training and Fundraising

The journey to the summit begins long before the climbers set foot on Mount Shasta. Each team member commits to 16 weeks of rigorous training and dedicated fundraising. The physical and emotional demands are immense, but the climbers are driven by a cause much greater than themselves. They work tirelessly to raise thousands of dollars and log countless training hours to prepare for the challenge ahead.

For the past three years, I've had the honor of writing a training plan specific to Mount Shasta and helping coach the team. Through emails and Zoom calls, we navigated the ups and downs of the training process together.

Crafting a training plan that met the diverse needs of climbers aged 30 to 68, including cancer survivors and one currently in treatment, was challenging.

Beyond the training plan, I provided ongoing email support and monthly group calls to help everyone stay on track.

The climbers' dedication paid off, and we met up in Mount Shasta, ready to face the mountain.

The Climb: Day 1 - Gear Check and Hike to Basecamp

Our adventure began with a gear check at Shasta Mountain Guides' new headquarters and a hike to basecamp at about 9,500 feet in Avalanche Gulch. I accompanied the team to camp, taking the opportunity to interview the guides about their motivations for leading this climb. Their enthusiasm was clear, and it was evident that this event holds a special place in their hearts.

Upon arrival at camp, I helped the team get settled before returning to Bunny Flat. Meanwhile, the guides led the climbers in "Snow School," teaching them the fundamentals of mountaineering. After dinner, it was an early bedtime in preparation for the next day's alpine start at 2 a.m.

The Climb: Day 2 - The Ascent

The early morning start was met with clear, warm weather. Despite some early struggles, most climbers felt strong from their training. I departed Bunny Flat on skis around 5 a.m., aiming to catch up with the team. As the team ascended above 11,000 feet, a few climbers began to experience symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). While some can overcome AMS with breathing exercises, others, despite their fitness, cannot. One of our strongest climbers had to descend just above 12,000 feet, a reminder that altitude sensitivity varies among individuals.

The remaining climbers moved swiftly, a testament to their rigorous training. I caught up with them near the top of "Misery Hill," just in time to enjoy a stunning summit day. Sharing the summit with the climbers and the guides, some of my best friends, was a highlight of the climb. The descent was equally thrilling, with climbers glissading over 3,000 feet back to camp. I skied down "Left of Heart" on good snow, meeting back up with the team at camp. After a long and fulfilling day, the climbers were in their sleeping bags early.

The Climb: Day 3 - Coming Down

Day 3 began with the team awakening to crisp, clear skies, having breakfast, and packing camp. Before descending the 2,500 vertical feet back to the trailhead, the team held a heartfelt ceremony to honor those who inspired them to climb for this cause. A cherished tradition among the climbers is carrying prayer flags inscribed with the names of cancer victims and survivors. This practice is motivating and inspiring, and the prayer flag ceremony is incredibly moving and meaningful in the spectacular mountain environment.

As the team descended, I returned to Bunny Flat to meet up with other supporters and volunteers. We welcomed the climbers back and celebrated their incredible achievements and the funds raised for breast cancer prevention.

Dedication to a Cause: A Personal Note

This climb marked my 226th summit of Mount Shasta, a milestone I dedicated to my mother, Kathryn Brinkley, a 20-year breast cancer survivor.

Reflections on Training for Mountaineering

This group's training plan is effective because it incorporates proven principles tailored to individual needs. Each athlete's location and specific requirements were considered to determine a training load to build fitness without causing illness, injury, or burnout.

Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (SAID): This principle guides us to train for mountaineering as an endurance event, prioritizing aerobic workouts to build capacity and endurance, and strength exercises that support high volumes of uphill and downhill training.

Specificity: Climbing Mount Shasta resembles a long, steep hike, allowing us to implement training methods specific to this challenge. The group used various methods to simulate mountaineering movements, including hiking on steep trails and off-trail slopes, ski touring in rugged terrain, stair climbing, steep treadmill hiking, and box stepping. These activities collectively opened the door to mountaineering fitness for almost everyone.

Acknowledgments and Thanks

I want to recognize the event coordinator, Marie DeJournette. As the Outdoor Events Manager at BCPP, she is responsible for assembling the climbing team and planning the event. It's a massive job, and Marie excels at it every year. She knows her climbers well, and as an athlete and mountaineer herself, she fully understands the demands of climbing Mount Shasta. Marie contributes significantly to training the team, and one of my favorite parts of this process is our collaboration. She is a wealth of training knowledge and leads some of the bigger training hikes in the weeks leading up to the climb.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the climbers. Your dedication, resilience, and commitment to this cause are inspiring. You've put in countless hours of training and fundraising, and your efforts have made a significant impact. Each step you took up Mount Shasta was not just a physical achievement but a powerful statement of hope and solidarity. Thank you for your hard work and spirit and for being a vital part of Climb Against the Odds.

Thank you to the BCPP staff for their incredible hard work and dedication. Their collective efforts in supporting Climb Against the Odds make this event a success every year. I'm grateful for their trust in me to train this group of climbers.

Danny Kern was the event photographer. All photos in this blog are credited to Danny. He is a full-time mountain and adventure photographer with an eye like no one else. Danny is a solid human all around, bringing a casual and confident vibe to the climb. Thank you, Danny!

Robert Abramowitz, the base camp manager. Rob has volunteered for the past few years, helping guide the group to camp and ensuring they stay comfortable on the mountain. Camping at 9,500 feet on Shasta involves a lot of work, and Rob's skill set makes anyone feel at home up there. Rob is kindness and compassion in action.

Shasta Mountain Guides is the trusted guide service that BCPP relies on to lead the climbers each year. They work tirelessly to ensure the success of this event. Big thanks to Jenn and Chris, the owners of SMG, and all the guides. Jenn and Chris staff the climb with their best and most experienced guides, ensuring each climber has a safe, fun, and successful experience on Mount Shasta. Their dedication to the cause and commitment to the climbers on the team make them invaluable partners in this mission.

Finally, I want to recognize Rich Meyer, the on-mountain guide supervisor for this climb. Rich has climbed and skied all over the world and has been a key part of Shasta Mountain Guides for 25 years. Few people possess the skill and experience needed to fulfill the unique role Rich plays in the success of this climb. Rich is the first up the mountain and the last to come down, managing decisions and timing while overseeing the big picture of the climb. His leadership is invaluable, and the experience wouldn't be the same without him. Rich always leads from the front, and this event is personally significant to him. He volunteers his time for this climb and has raised many thousands of dollars for the cause over the years, demonstrating his deep commitment.

In Closing

Climb Against the Odds 2024 was an extraordinary journey of strength, resilience, and dedication. The climbers' commitment to training and fundraising, coupled with their determination on the mountain, resulted in a successful and meaningful event.

This is just a glimpse of the story. Each climber, guide, BCPP staff member, and volunteer has their own chapters of unforgettable experiences from Climb Against the Odds. Many people contribute to the success of this event and the vital work that BCPP does. It's an incredible journey, and if you're interested, I highly recommend joining as a climber next year.

I am honored to be part of this climb and look forward to many more years of supporting this incredible cause.

If you're inspired to contribute to eradicating toxic chemicals and environmental exposures that contribute to breast cancer, there's still time. Visit BCPP's Donation Page to learn more about this cause and donate.