HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED

Hello and thanks for visiting my climbing blog!

My name is Scott and I live in Atlanta, GA. I always had an interest in climbing mountains, but never really knew how to get started. In January of 2005, the company I was working for decided to open an office in Memphis and I volunteered to move and help get things kicked off. When I arrived in Memphis I only knew one person, whom I met a few years prior at a wedding, so I gave him a call. He agreed to meet me that evening, but couldn't stay out late because "...he was heading to Africa the next day." Upon meeting him that night, I learned he was leaving the next morning to try his hand at climbing Kilimanjaro.

The next morning, I was talking to my mother and telling her about the conversation from the previous night. During this conversation she asked me if I realized my Uncle Steve had been a climber for years. "No," I responded. She gave me his phone number and the following weekend I made a call to a relative I hadn't spoken to in years. Little did I know how much that call would change my life!

In the 6 years since, I've been to Africa (Tanzania & Kenya), Russia (Moscow & Mineral'Nye Vody), Mexico, Georgia (The country, not the state), and South America (Chile & Argentina), summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, and Mt. Rainier, made two attempts at Cerro Aconcagua, an attempt at Ixta, made quick stops in London and Quito, Ecuador, met an endless number of extraordinary people, and developed a new relationship with my uncle.

The blog entries, pictures, and details below are my attempt to share my adventures with the rest of my friends and family. I hope you enjoy!

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Rainier Avalanche

A couple people inquired, and Im sure some of you saw the news online, about the recent avalanche on Rainier. 10 of the 11 people caught in the avalanche were rescued thanks to quick reactions by IMG and RMI. Ive posted the link below that answers most of the questions you would have and explains what happened, but, yes, my trip is still on.

The cause of the avalanche and the unstable conditions right now are due to a really wet May and June in the northwest. This is somewhat normal for this time of year but the wet weather is lasting slightly longer than usual. IMG and RMI followed the park ranger's advice and their own knowledge of the mountain and elected not to attempt a summit on the night the avalanche happened. It appears some folks didnt listen and IMG and RMI, thankfully, were in a position to rescue the people buried.

So, do I still need to explain to people why I pay more money for the bigger/better/smarter companies???? It's not a coincidence my next 2 trips are with these 2 organizations.

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