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The Ascent for Alzheimer’s team has their first training hike complete, with more to come!
On May 7 members of the Ascent for Alzheimer’s team took to the Lynn Peak trail in North Vancouver for a snow-covered training session to prepare them for what they may encounter when they hike Mount Kilimanjaro this September.
Organized by team member Sandra Wilson, the six members of the 2011 team, along with alumni, strapped on their snowshoes and hiking poles and practiced using the new gear they will be using for their fall hike.
“Our group moved at quite a quick pace, and we were informed by members of last year's team that this would not be the case on Kili! The terrain was steep and very rocky with streams running through creek beds and lots of boulders and slippery rock sections. It was a great workout, but at a greater intensity and for a shorter time than most days on Kili would be,” said team member Anjulie Latta.
“We did keep together for the most part and if we continue to train like this, I think we will all be prepared and in great shape for the physical demands of the climb. The only issue that remains unknown is how altitude will affect each person, and no amount of training can prepare you for that.”
Sandra is looking forward to more training hikes with the group. “The training hikes are great for team building and getting to know each other before we head off on our African adventure,” she said, adding, “I’m looking forward to getting in some longer hikes with higher elevation gains. Unfortunately, these hikes may need to wait until later in the summer due to the heavy snowpack in the local mountains this year. We may need to bring the snowshoes along - if there’s a will, there’s a way!”
Pictured above: Ed Arnold (alumnus), Dan Levitt, Marian Lowery, Murray Williamson, Sandra Wilson, Stuart Hayashi (alumnus), Joan Porter (crouching), Bob Hastings (alumnus), Anjulie Latta, Alan O'Meara (alumnus)
To follow the team’s training progress and eventual trek to and up Mount Kilimanjaro, and to support this year’s team fundraising efforts, visit the Ascent for Alzheimer’s webpage.
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