Mountaineering Legends Kick Off The Rainier Discovery Center

"It's 13,500 ft. and I'm beginning to lose it. My legs are heavy, my breathing beyond labored and all I can think about is how nice it would be to turn around and have hot chocolate at Camp Muir 10,000 ft. Then what little oxygen is operating my brain kicks in. You are only 1,000 ft. from the Summit! If you turn around now and have something left in you, you'll never live it down. I gather myself and say, Hell Yes! I do some radical moves to warm up my body. Then I focus on the basics....big pressure breathing from the diaphram, rest-stepping motion so that my legs get a short break after the 3" of ascent the just made for one step.

It's truly One Step In Front Of The Other. The journey of 14,410 vertical ft. truly begins, continues and ends with a single step. I finally get back into a rhythm. I'm feeling strong. I'm ready to go! I turn a blind corner and there it is...THE SUMMIT!"

Have you read "Into Thin Air"? Have you ever wondered what it is really like up there? Or are you a convert, bitten by the mountain bug, with your own personal experience of ascending a great mountain?

If you're the least bit curious, then on Feb. 6th, come join Eric Simonson (first to find Mallory's body on Everest), Ed Viesturs (1st 7 summits with NO oxygen), Jim Wickwire (1st American to summit K2), Tom Hornbein (doctor on 1st American Everest summit), Lou Whittaker (founder of Rainier Mountaineering Inc.) and Jim Whittaker (1st American on Everest summit) for a ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME evening in Seattle's historic Smith Tower. These climbing legends will share incredible stories of why mountains are such a big part of their lives and how it has shaped who they have become. Never before has this much climbing power been under one roof!

The Rainier Discovery Center - "Mountaineer for a day, a steward for life"

This event is a benefit for The Rainier Discovery Center of which I'm the Vice President of. The Rainier Discovery Center will be the world's first experiential museum dedicated to high-alpine mountaineering. This cutting-edge center will be located in Ashford, WA where over 2 million visitors drive through on the way to 14, 410 ft. Mt. Rainier. Imagine...a wind room simulating 40 mph cross winds, a crevasse room, and indoor ice climbing, all from the safety of your indoor seat.

This unique center will give the 2 million/year glimpses of the experience that only 10,000/year get to experience on the higher aspects of Mt. Rainier.

This event is a major fund raiser, if you are interested in receiving an invite, please click below for more information, the email John Chen to receive your official invite. Seating is limited, serious interest only. Limited seating available on a first come, first serve basis. Reply today to sign up now!

Click here to view the Rainier Discovery Center Benefit Reception Invite.