Mission Project

My most recent escapade is as Expedition Leader for a huge undertaking up Mount Logan in Canada. I know the mountain is big, the trip is long, the weather is cold and the food is not delivery, but our group had a bigger mission. Each of us put boot prints on remote, travelled and less travelled, paths, rocks, beaches and summits, but really there has to be more then tagging the top in life. Don't we all hear and preach, it is the journey not the destination...yea right...we all love standing on top of the mountain, the continent, reaching our goal after days of pain—admit it—I know I do! Journey my, nah don't go there, yes I am goal driven like most climbers and adventure seeking people, but I do find my peace in the journey. You know that moment when you take a breath and relax, actually connecting with your surrounding and forget the crackberry, the due yesterday pile and the job jar at home. Ok, have to drop those thoughts quickly to stay in my space, so where was I? Oh yes, so after some very scary climbs around the globe, I learned in some storms that every story, every journey, simply kept to ourselves is a failure to share. And being of Irish decent (and something about a blarney stone) I like share my climbs with people through slide shows and presentations and especially students. With typical learning around geography, science, fitness, weather and technology, what a better real life experience then on an expedition? For sure we learn about these subjects in school, in bits and drabs, but you REALLY learn about these topics when your *&#$ is on the line. So the solution to communicating with the outside world in remote settings was in fact a whole bunch of weight in our pack and sled with satellite transceivers, phones, solar panels and batteries. Well so much for light and fast!!! And then there is the whole issue of power management on a glacier for 30 days with no generator or extension cord that seem to work or was under 100 lbs.

Damnn I was measuring ounces a while ago and now looking at a 100 liter bag. What did I get myself into...have to train more now yikes!

Well as the storey goes, we are about to embark on a huge trip to the top of Canada on Mount Logan for 30 days and while all the technical gear is great and made of steel, titanium or plastic, the first priority is me. Yep, selfish me and the most vulnerable piece of gear on the trip, my body! No use putting yourself in a situation where you don't have the gear to help you survive, succeed or simply face the elements. Which reminds me, how many times have we prepared for a trip, taken days to sort through the excess of gear and clothing, finally selecting what you want to bring and then in the middle of a storm or cold front and realized you left behind the right gear and thought you were smart bringing the lighter equipment. Ah, the time we brought the wrong sleeping bag and had to sleep in our down clothing to stop from shivering. Makes me laugh remembering the times I cursed myself for being such a dork and taking the wrong gear with the right stuff sitting warm and cozy in my home. This all brings me back to the pants.

Yes I have lots of pants, down, gortex, shell and yet each year look at the new technology and material and think to myself now that is something I really need another pair of pants. Well knowing I was going into some very cold conditions, high altitude and for 30 days I started to dig through the bags of clothes and came upon my collection of pants. Well I said to myself they might work, I am Team Leader, I need to look good and be really comfortable in some nasty weather. I looked at the clothing from other name brands and thought to myself, damnn this stuff looks bulky and old, and kept thinking, you know James, time to do it right. So after a quick conversation with myself, I researched the market and found some companies going to mass market urban appeal and others really focusing on quality with design. I get tired of travelling in cities and watching the urban outdoors warriors who think white-out is something for paper. They have the parkas and love the brands, but would be lost, frozen or hospitalized if they ever had to put their clothing to the test in a real outdoor situation. So I think, James, you need quality, you need clothing that matches your journey and the upcoming onslaught of 60 mph winds, -20 mornings and frozen liners. Ok, I finally decide on Mountain Hardwear line of gear, so I get the Subzero SL Parka, the Absolute Zero Parka, the Sub Zero Vest, the Thermadry Tights and some Synchro Pants. Well everything goes well until we to get the pants—what do you mean you don't have any? Ok let's phone around—no luck. Now the A.D.D. kicks in! This can't be happening, I found the perfect pant and no one has a large—damn need more pizza to get into that XL. So I try online through the 'where to buy' button on the MHW web site. Damn, first one no—second one no—third one no, OK now I am getting really concerned. And then Nirvana (no chanting other then YES YES YES—sounds like Megan Ryan in the coffee shop) found them and just wanting to be sure. Phone them up and get this sweet young thing who should be on a 900 number, so a little flirting goes by, getting my order ready and she says, let me make sure we have it on the shelf, you never know about these computerized inventory program. I immediately break into a sweat thinking this can't be possible or true and sure enough she comes back and delivers the blow. The computer is wrong they don't have the size in stock—I think OMG what now. I go make a peanut butter sandwich for comfort and say to myself this can't be possible! After chugging the milk a and brain burb comes through and think, well the locals don't have it, the online stores don't have it, let's search the world. So racing upstairs to the computer, getting the cats and dogs all worked up, I find the international distributors of MHW list and type quickly my becon of distress and search for the holy grail of pants—MY synchro pant—size large somewhere out there on the planet waiting to be saved and brought to my world. Well I click send and it sends out across the planet with myself somewhat satisfied that there is still hope in these dark days of March wanting, no needing, these MHW pants. First comes back Australia - no, then Chili - no, Norway - no, Switzerland - no, Canada - no and then Team America saves the day and I get a reply from Korea. Not the Kim Jong-il one, the good one! Yes, yes, yes I yell, thinking that Megan Ryan was better and definitely more interesting then my yells—but that is another topic for another day. So like I said don't laugh, I found my MHW pants and come heck or high water and even from Korea I was going to be successful in getting the best pair of pants on the planet and stand proud and warm on the summit of Logan with my new duds.

So the moral of the storey is pick the best gear for your adventure and don't settle for anything less. Even if you have to get it from Kim Jong-il neighbours to the south in Korea, it is worth the effort to have the best. I deserve it. Opps, now have to look at tents!

Expedition Leader—Summits of Canada—Mount Logan
www.summitsofcanada.ca