Mt Baker - day 85 (CME)

For those who might not know, CME stands for continuing medical education. Physicians of the various specialties, such as surgery, require CME to maintain certifcation. Attending medical meetings and listenening to presentations for several days is one way to satisfy this requirement. Ergo, here we are in Las Vegas with my surgical colleagues. Many here have been attending these events for years. It's a time to catch up with their recent experiences, learn the latest gossip, and share in well-being of their families. My news is (surprise, surprise) my upcoming trip through glacier fields to the summit with a 50 pound pack on my back.

Here is the rub, however. How does one keep up a clinical practice, attend the meetings, make the three hours of daily commute and actually meet the one to two hours of physical training required to have necessary endurance to succeed? The answer is CME. One has to make time to meet requirements. You have to set CME as a priority, simplify your life, and say no to things that are not absolutely necessary. That is what I am trying to accomplish. CME for me, however, has a new definition and not limited to continuing medical education. Rather, CME to me now refers to (you guessed it) "consistant mountaineering exercise". Six days a week, one to two hours daily. Today, here at the meeting, it means up at 6 AM to hit the fitness center for aerobics. It means out of the meeting at 5 PM and back to the center for weights and strength training. Enough blog for today. Got to go. Time for more CME

Mt. Baker- Day 86 (in Las Vegas)

Yesterday, my fellow adventurers and I reached 22,000 feet. With endless horizons,deep blue skies,and only clouds below us, its hard to believe that we were not to meant to live at this height . What's also amazing is that had I been in the Himalayas and reached this level, I might have spotted an amazing climber at the top of a majestic peak nearly a mile and one-half above us. For me, the good news was that I did not develop high altitude sickness; no pulmonary edema, no rapidly developing cerebral swelling leading to mental confusion and coma. A pressurized cabin in a 747 jumbo, needless to say, was the major factor. Our descent also did not leave us at a scenic mountain base camp breathing only the freshest air beside some gentle mountain stream but, rather, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas for a head and neck surgical meeting. Avalanche watch was not our concern. Holding onto our wallets was.

Need to consider that summit of Mt Baker is nearly 11,000 ft. Spoke with several knowledgeable climbers who suggested that I should spend sometime adapting to the altitude before summit day. Some have said it should be a few days at Mt Baker before the expedition. I have considered four days in the Colorado Rockies exercising at 10,000 to 14,000 feet. I have been at 14,000 feet previously with no ill effects other than slight headache. Guides have previously stressed that more intense exertion at high altitudes can make one more susceptible. Maintanance of adequate hydration and minimizing negative caloric balance seems to be preventative. We shall see. I also run a chronically low hemoglobin count. Do not know how significant that will be on my effort

Mt Baker -Day 88 (Let's get technical)

"Let me get this straight. You want me to hang upside down with a thirty pound pack on my back. You remind me that I'm in a 200 foot deep crack within this giant ice cube hanging only by a 9 mm string around my waist. And then you want me to try to get out within 15 minutes or so before my hands freeze up and I eventually meet my maker." My life flashes before me and I recall my dear mother's early words-"Learn to be independent!" I doubt she had this in mind.

Mt Baker, as you probably know, is a heavily glaciated mountain with its share of obstacles en route to its peak. Crevasse fields are one of them. Recognizing this risk, I have integrated crevasse rescue skills into my preparation. Took a course given by Alpine Endeavors in the Catskills around 2 months ago. Quite an experience. Also bought the book "Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue by Andy Selters which explains in considerable detail what to do when I find myself in the above predicament. Actually, all teachings emphasize not so much the independence of the unfortunate climber. Rather, we spent a greater part of the course on how to rescue fellow climbers. I even went so far as to buy a nice DVD on the subject which goes over the role of each team member, the establishment of an anchored pulley system as well as the various hitches, knots, motions, etc that allow for a successful rescue. I still don't feel I have a complete grasp of the subject and will need some more training. My Mt Baker guide team, Alpine Ascents, understands this, however. Once we reach basecamp, we will spend time going over these actions once more before our summit climb. Different routes to the peak have different degrees of difficulty and different crevasse risks. I believe we are going the Easton glacier route which is, perhaps, the least treacherous. Fine with me. When my Alpine Endeavor instructor told me it was time for me to hang over the cliff on a 9 mm string, I very politely refused.

Mt Baker -Day 89 (Paul is the man!)

Three months are past and three more to go. The count down has more to do with getting into shape for the strenuous climb than anything else. Learned that thirty percent of climbers never make it to the top - more to do with physical and mental stamina. That is where my main man comes into picture. Paul has been my personal trainer for the last three months ( and actually sometime before that) and will be so for the next three months until climbing day. He works at the Harvard Club in mid-town Manhattan and has been not only been whipping me into shape but also providing inspirational support as well. "You can do this!" "You may be old but your tough!" Endurance, strength, core body elements, muscle memory for climbing, pull ups, push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges, aerobic, anaerobic are done on a nearly daily basis. Ran six miles in 48 minutes one day last week. Eighty pushups without stopping on the next day after that. This week I will see Paul the usual three times per week and try to get through the always new and surprising "routine".

I say three are down and three more to go because that's the deal. Alpine Ascents, Inc are constantly reminding me that my training should be going as expected. Their web sites as well as other training sites for climbing provide a six month regimen in preparation for summit day. Each of the ensuing months are more intense than the last and finally culminate in a day of rest before the summit. Thanks alot! Many times I have been tempted to drop the whole thing. The personal trainer deal for three of the seven days, however, makes it much easier and ensures that new and more demanding challenges are met. I meet with him today at the usual Monday at 4 PM and then return to the hospital to finish business.

Mt Baker-Day 90 (Buying a tent)

Today is buy a tent day and it is all new to me. The last time I went camping and used a tent was the day I proposed marriage to my wife, Nancy, and that was over 25 years ago. We were in the Smokey Mountains in October and shared our tent with our 11 month old beagle, Byron, who pretty much was freaked out by the whole experience. Barked the entire time. I suspect the base camp on Mount Baker will be a little quieter but the sights and sounds no less dramatic. Guide leaders (Alpine Ascents, International) expect all of us to have previous camping experience. I am buying the tent not so much for the July expedition but rather to set up outside my house to satisfy requirements. I may even invite my wife and our new beagle, Jezebel, to join me.

Went to a tent expo yesterday at Eastern Mountain Sports in Stamford Ct. Chris, my go-to salesguy, has known me by first name for some time - a reflection of my unrelenting purchases. He was again very patient and reviewed in great detail various options. I think I have settled on the Copper Spur Ultralight 2. It is a three season tent, easy to set up, and increadibly light - only 3 1/2 pounds. Mesh fabric allows good ventilation and open views of starry nights. The nylon rainfly can be easily placed for weather protection. Let's not talk about cost, however, as I buried it in the list of unpaid credit card bills.

Enough with blogging for today as I need to get on with my daily physical training efforts. The latter is a story for another time.

Climbing Mt Baker - Day 91 (For a really good cause)

So why do I need your help? In addition to accepting the new physical and mental challenge of climbing Mount Baker and hopefully other peaks, I am climbing to raise funds for the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. These funds will be used to provide care for pediatric services with the overall goal of restoring vision and hearing for those in need. What better way to share the wonderful sights and sounds of this adventure?

It is actually very simple. Reaching new summits will provide personal satisfaction. At the same time, it will generate resources for these kids so that they too can one day experience the same glorious sights and sounds. That is why I need your help. The more we share in this endeavor, the better their lives.

Climbing Mt Baker - Day 92 (The Painted Veil)

The first question that I am usually asked by my fellow surgeons- "why are you doing that?". "Why would you want to take that risk?". My friends immediately conclude the new venture of mountain climbing at my age is a very obvious mid-life crisis - Don Quixote in an OR scrub suit as a baselayer. That may be a correct interpretation. On the other hand, I have been goal-oriented my entire life; 1) trying to succeed at track and swimming; 2) applying to the best college I could; 3) becoming a physician; 4) striving for a meaningful academic career in surgical oncology; 4) and now, my newest quest, summiting Mount Baker. The last is no less a challenge given the years of abuse the body has endured. Their may be other reasons, perhaps a little more complex. Even some may not yet be realized. To further explore this question, I directed myself to an untitled sonnet by the English poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Perhaps in his poem there would be a better answer. His words struck home. "Lift not the painted veil of those who live/Call Life; words that later formed the basis of a brilliant novel by a fellow surgeon, Willliam Somerset Maugham. Do not try to find in someone any untested motivation or try to discover some character trait, flawed or otherwise. Judge the individual simply by the act. My personal goal is to climb a summit. The greater achievement will be turning this act towards a greater cause. I need your help to succeed.

My good friends warn me about the above self-indulgence. I apologize and will put it behind. Let's get on with the main subject. The sojourn to the summit is planned for July 25th. Equipment costs have been huge and continue to escalate. My training sessions have been increasingly stressful. There are many questions that will need to be answered. What equipment is needed? How do I identify the most appropriate of the many choices? What level of endurance is needed to summit? Is altitude sickness likely to occur and what can be done to minimize it? What level of technical skills are required? Will I adjust to mountain cold weather camping? There remains, however, a more important agenda. One that I cannot accomplish without your support. How can we turn this effort towards a more important goal? How can we make this a means to better the lives of young individuals so that they to can experience their chosen environment more fully. I need your help in providing answers. Please give a hand