|
In the spring of 2007, Joe Puryear and I were
awarded the
McNeill-Nott Award to climb a new route on Mt. Siguniang in
the Qionglai Mountain Range in China. On April 19th Joe Puryear,
Jay Janousek and I made the first ascent of an 18,900 ft. unclimbed,
unnamed peak in the Chang Ping Valley. Upon our return to base camp
Joe and I were staging our alpine assault on Mt. Siguniang when
I received the news that my wife Lara had been killed in a climbing
accident on Mt. Wake in the Ruth Gorge. In her honor, we named the
peak Lara Shan, which means Lara's Peak. Through the American Alpine
Club, the
Lara-Karena Bitenieks Kellogg Memorial Conservation Grant will
help preserve her legacy and the wild places that she so loved.
I am focusing my climbing efforts in 2008 on opening up new alpine
lines and training for more difficult ice climbs, rock climbs and
speed ascents. Check out my Profile page
to get a sample of more recent climbs. I look forward to sharing
images of my adventures through slide shows in your area and online
in the Gallery section.
|
|
 |
|
|
