The 14er Project
Happy Trails to All!
This message is coming to you from "Basecamp" here in Boulder, Colorado where Erin Greenwood and Jeff Sanders are climbing the stairs in our crampons getting ready for our big summer climbing project (not really - the crampons would ruin the carpet!).
The "14er Project" started in 2007 when Erin set off (with a few friends in tow) to climb 14 14ers in 14 days. For those of you who find yourselves on beaches or the rolling plains, "14ers" are 14,000-foot peaks and there are over 50 of them here in Colorado. During 2008, Erin talked Jeff into coming along for the adventure and they found themselves living in a car together for more than two weeks, sick with "14er revenge" and on the top of many sunny, windy, snowy, cloudy peaks.
For 2009, Erin and Jeff will venture into even taller, more technical and more remote backcountry. The plan is to climb 14 official 14ers plus 2 other peaks over 14,000 feet over the course of 14 days during July and August. They will travel over a thousand miles by car and train to reach trailheads near Durango, Aspen, Telluride and Alamosa, Colorado. They will travel by foot nearly 100 miles and 50,000 vertical feet to reach peaks with names like "El Diente", "Crestone Needle" and "Challenger Point".
Other than the fresh air, strong legs, delicious camping food and waking up at 4 am every day, Erin and Jeff are dedicated to coming away with more.
We are climbing for a charitable organization that links communities in need with resources called the Global Volunteer Network. Our goal is to raise $5,000 toward a children's project in Kenya at which we intend to volunteer in summer 2010. This project serves children who are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS, poverty-related causes and displacement.
So whether you want to follow along vicariously with our 14er project and/or find yourself in a position to be able to donate, we welcome you to 14 14ers in 14 days part 3!
STEP 1: Please visit our Web-site to find a highly entertaining movie, information about our project and donation links: http://web.me.com/j14e/
STEP 2: If you would like to donate directly to our cause (using a secure, online site), please follow this link: http://www.thebigday.com/ViewRegistry.asp?list=99116
STEP 3: Should you wish to donate by mail, have questions or would like to chat, please email us back at 14erproject@gmail.com ! Also, please pass along our information to anyone you think might be interested in our climb or donating to children in Africa - pay it forward!
Thank you and may you find yourselves reaching your own summits,
Erin and Jeff
A fall from the third floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth. If I have to fall, may it be from a high place. -Paolo Coelho