An Interview With Teresa
(note: This interview was during the
training climbs and part of my
way of involving sponsors.
An Interview With Teresa
I thought that this might be a fun way for you to learn more about
this incredible adventure - from my perspective ...
This
will be an iterative process -- err that means that it'll get
sporadic additions <g>. I will update it with responses to
YOUR questions. So, please
send your questions and check back often :-) .
At the top of the list for frequently asked questions ...
What prompted you to climb Mt.
Rainier for ALAW? Is this climb something that you have wanted to do
for years?
So far, what is the best part of the training?
What is the most challenging part for you?
What are some of the physical challenges that you'll
face?
So, what are you doing to get into condition?
Do you need special training to actually climb Mt. Rainier?
So, let's talk about sponsors and donations.
Do you really expect to raise $4,000?
Are there special benefits for sponsors?
What is your dedication page about?
You've asked for donations of gear. What is that about?
You've also asked for non-monetary donations. How does that get into
the donation pool?
What about the digital camera that you
mentioned? And other items for use by the climbers?
Do all donations qualify as charitable contributions?
Are you open to non-hike questions?
You bet ... Just
email me the question and I'll see about posting it with a
response. You'll note the qualification there ... <g>
What prompted you to climb Mt.
Rainier for ALAW? Is this climb something that you have wanted to do
for years?
When this
year started, I had no idea that I would soon be caught up in what
feels like a “once-in-a lifetime” opportunity to climb to the
summit of Mt Rainier. In fact, if I'd ever been asked in the
past, I would have laughed it off. But here I am, incredibly excited
about the opportunity!
Although I’m not a hiker, I love challenges. So an invitation to
join the climb suddenly turned into an adventure! I have never been
an athlete, so I am getting into the best condition of my life and
at the same time I face an even bigger challenge of raising a
staggering amount of money!!!
I am hoping that my commitment to climb Mt. Rainier will prompt
others to get involved – on a less physically taxing level, of
course. People can DONATE to the ALAW (specifying my climb!)
and encourage me throughout my training and the actual climb in
July! My goal is to make the climb on July 8th and 9th.
So far, what is the best part of the training?
(top)
I am
amazed by the incredible feeling that I have both on the hikes and
afterwards. It is a combination of meeting wonderful people, getting
into the hills and the incredible views.
On the way down from my second training hike, I was thinking about
how easy it is to get hooked on hiking. WOW … there I was, already
carrying a 30 pound pack and not even winded or sore.
Of course, the biggest thrill is probably just continuing to have
bigger and harder personal challenges. It is an amazing feeling to
just keep getting better and doing more! I gotta tell you, I was
feeling pretty invincible after carrying a 38 pound pack up Tiger
Mountain!
What is the most challenging part for you?
(top)
The most
challenging thing is asking for money. I know how important the ALAW
programs are, and I know that people WANT to contribute, but it is
still very difficult for me to persistently ask people to send
money.
A lot of my friends have promised donations, but I hate to remind
them to get online and DO IT (err .. this is probably a
good place to provide the donation link ...
What are some of the physical challenges that you'll
face?
(top)
Well, this is the longest endurance climb in the lower 48!
How's that for a first attempt!!! We'll make a 10,000 foot ascent
--- that's nearly two miles STRAIGHT UP! oh my gosh. How
many flights of stairs would that be?? Then, we'll turn
around and head back down. Arggghhh ... I don't even want to think
about my knees.
Oh .. and the weight of the gear. That was a bit intimidating at
first. We figured that my clothing and gear would weigh upwards of
55 pounds. That is over half my weight!!! YIKES. I supposed to
carry that, up hill to an elevation of 14,400 feet???
Man, oh man, who is going to carry my oxygen tank??
So, what are you doing to get into condition?
(top)
The ALAW has a series of training hikes, which they supplement with
smaller group hikes. The training hikes are progressively harder.
The first two suggested 15 pound packs, and Tiger Mountain had a
suggestion of 20. Since my weak link is my low back, I'm pushing
myself a bit to ensure that I can make it to the summit. I went from
20 to 30 and then to 38 pounds in my pack.
Thankfully, doing push-ups and crunches helped to keep my back
strong and stable since a disc ruptured in 1994. For years, ok
sometimes it was sporadic, I did about 60 pushups and 50 crunches.
Recently, I pushed it to 100 push-ups ... WHEW ... talk about wiped
out!! But, it was like a dare, so what was I supposed to do??
Feels pretty good though ... to kinda feel as though I have bragging
rights (ok ... even if you don't know me, you can imagine that I
have a huge grin right now <g>)
Soon, the formal training hikes will be every other weekend. And in
between, I walk or hike, and do a few other exercises. I've even
jogged the hills near my home.
Do you need special training to actually climb Mt. Rainier?
(top)
Yes. And that is probably the best part about helping the ALAW. We
are aiming to raise $100,000 for the ALAW, so they are gearing us up
for success!
Our honorary chairman is the legendary Lou Whittaker. Lou and his
company, Rainier Mountaineering Inc., will leading us to the top!
They are even providing a one day climb school so that we can learn
to cross ice fields, work safely on a rope team, use an ice ax and
how to power breath.
How cool is that! Climbing with Lou Whittaker. He was at the
February meeting and signed a poster for me!
So, let's talk about sponsors and donations.
Do you really expect to raise $4,000?
(top)
You bet! And, if I had my way, I'd raise closer to $15,000 and
be the top fund raiser!!! WHHHHAAAAAHOOOOO ... would that be
awesome or what? But see, that kind of money depends on others
and typically some very strong business contacts to get corporate
sponsorships. So, I'm trying to be realistic ... having a set a
$4,000 MINIMUM! And, the deadline is June 11th!!
Are there special benefits for sponsors?
(top)
Of course! We all know that donations are the goal. So, the
ALAW offers nice recognition packages for corporate sponsors. In
addition to that, I want to recognize and involve as many people as
possible.
So, I'm offering many incentives for people to donate $100 or more.
It's kind of a smorgasbord because I want it to be meaningful to the
recipient. But, some examples are a signed photo from the summit; an
item auto graphed by Lou Whittaker; taking a photo of a company
banner or dedication flag on the summit; wearing a company logo;
providing recognition and a link from this site .... and more.
Basically, I want to do what works best for my sponsors. So, I am open to
suggestions!
What is your dedication page about?
(top)
The dedication page was inspired by a lady who is dedicating their
donation to her sister who has lung cancer. I realized how
important it is for everyone to realize that they are contributing
and that they are truly making a difference. And, I thought that if
I were dedicating a donation, I might like to let other's know how
much I cared ... So, people can send me their dedication and I
will post it. Then, they can forward the link to anyone they like.
Similarly, people can also post testimonials and challenges. The
challenges are a fun way to let friends and co-workers know that
ALAW is important to you and to see if they will also donate.
You've asked for donations of gear. What is your
goal with that?
(top)
This climb requires an amazing amount of gear. And, most of us are
scrambling to buy, borrow or rent most of it. That is quite time
consuming AND will end up costing each of us a bundle. So, I'm
hoping that people and companies will donate gear and clothing.
Equipment Needed
contains a pretty good list of what we are looking for.
Since this is an annual event, I am starting an equipment pool.
Hikers can borrow the equipment and even contribute some to the pool
after their climb. Since there are 4 climbs per year, some of the
gear can be used by two or more hikers each season.
A few items that are high on my own wish list are the plastic climb
boots -- women's size 7 or 7 1/2, telescoping ski poles and gortex
pants and jacket - women's small to medium. Of course, I need most
of the other items as well.
You've also asked for non-monetary donations. How does that get into
the donation pool?
(top)
For some businesses, it is easier to donate a product or a gift
certificate than it is to give cash. This is great! There are a
multitude of ways to convert items into cash. And of course, we
anticipate at greater than face value, considering the cause :-) ..
The proceeds go into the climb fund!
Additionally, there are items that can be donated (or loaned) for
our use. A couple very important items are a really good digital
camera and then prints for sponsors. After the climb, I
will need to print dozens of photos to send to sponsors. It would be
AWESOME if a company donated that service!!! The photos are an
effective incentive/thank you but costs add up very quickly. In
fact, these two items are ideal for dual purpose ... as I am also a
photographer for the
Spinal Cord
Society's annual golf tournament on June 14th.
In-kind donations are great!!!
I've received heart warming support from Great Harvest Bread
and from Office Depot of Lynnwood. hmmmmm ... just
think how incredibly good fresh bread is when you are on a hike!!!
And, Office Depot is providing some of the printing services.
What about the digital camera that you
mentioned? And other items for use by the climbers?
(top)
It is a PERFECT opportunity for a slogan ... something about ..
the camera to trust to record your once-in-a-lifetime moments! etc
etc.
And, I am really hoping that someone will donate (or even loan) a
really good digital camera and also prints for sponsors.
After the climb, I will need to print dozens of photos to send to
sponsors. It would be AWESOME if a company donated that service!!
The photos are an effective incentive but the costs add up very
quickly. In fact, the camera and print services/printer are ideal
for dual purpose donation ... As the photographer for the
Spinal Cord
Society's annual golf tournament and auction on June 14th, I
would love to use a better camera AND to be able to print some
photos on the spot ... have them autographed ready right at the
event!!!
Do all donations qualify for charitable contributions?
(top)
You betcha! People who donate at (expired link) will automatically receive a receipt.
I have official ALAW receipts for cash and in-kind donations. I'm
sure that a business could even put a value on loaning equipment.
Are you open to non-hike questions?
(top)
Sure. And I've promised to respond to a few questions from visitors.
All they need to do is send me an
email. Ok ... and promise to make a donation <g> ...
Whatever your
motivation for sponsoring this climb,
it is the right reason for
YOU!
I am excited about going on this climb and
about making more people aware of
American Lung Association
®
and
American Lung Association®
of Washington!
" - Teresa Hennig
