“I can endure hardships and I can endure pain, but I cannot endure a life without my King and my God a whisper away.”  -Lygon

We invited you to take up the challenge to step out, reach for what’s ahead, and to press on. We invited you to climb high while staying near the One who takes your efforts and multiplies them in ways you could never imagine. You did! And you did it beautifully!

The 4^th Annual Lygon Stevens Memorial Climb Event was a tremendous success. The sight of so many people involved and inspired truly humbles us. The highlights: neon t-shirts, and Outdoor Expo, epic stories from Eric Alexander, the headlamps in the night, the volunteer crews, the summit banners flapping in the wind, the tears at the top, the laughter, the chili dinner, and yes, the aching feet and bruised toes – well done!

Here is what we did:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 - LOVELAND

4:00-6:00 – Registration and Expo A variety of outdoor organizations set up with demos and info in the Atrium. It was a great time to meet some really cool, amazing people that offer whitewater rafting trips, spiritual studies, family support, photography, backpacking trips, avalanche awareness, gear needs, and yes, even a rescue dog. All was trail mix fueled. T-shirts (eye-catching!), books, and videos were also for sale.

6:00 – 8:00 – Climb High: Live Near 2011 LSMC Kick-Off Rally Inspiration!!! We watched a video of Lygon’s story and the reason for The Climb. We met 24-yeaqr old Maggie Doyne of Nepal who won our Hidden Pearl Grant last year. Adventurer, author, and climber Eric Alexander (www.highersummits.org) captivated us with his humility and humor. (How is it we still clapped and cheered for the video of the precarious ladder crossing even though we KNOW he makes it?) Eric’s stories of climbing Mt. Everest with his blind friend, Erik Weihenmayer, truly wowed and inspired us!

 

We finished out with a review on safety in the mountains by the Larimer County Search and Rescue. Now we all know what to do when lightning, HAPE, or even HAFE strike.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 – ESTES PARK

Climbs, hikes, and walks, took almost 200 of us throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. Admittedly, we were easily identifiable by our shirts and pink ribbons.

2:00-6:00 – Chili Feed Many gathered in the afternoon for hearty nourishment and story-sharing under an open-air pavilion near Lake Estes. Chillin’ and chili were a great combination.

                                                                                          

It is impossible to capture all the testimonies and cool stories, but here are a few (find us on Facebook for more pics and stories):

• Climb Longs Peak up close and real: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQgybMusqDw Thank you, John!! (click here to watch from this site)

• New, dear friends of The Climb came from Oklahoma and Kansas to set up a way station on the Boulderfield for our climbers. “We served hot chocolate to several folks on their way down. Also put a major dent in my supply of ibuprofen ‘cuz there were lots of folks who needed some.” Thank you, Gene and Sean

 

The oasis in the rocks.

• Film crews from Day of Discovery Television (www.dod.org) were busy filming the event. If you’ve heard the rumors, it’s true – they are putting together a docu-drama on Lygon’s story and her journals. The film will be completed sometime next year (could there possibly be a world premier showing at the 2012 Kick-Off??). We are all thrilled with this partnership and the integrity and thoughtfulness of this group of people. Stay tuned…

 

Nick being interviewed by Fred Hollis and Leah of Day of Discovery. Jim is listening well.

 

 

• All the Longs climbers made their summit! Here they are starting out:

 

 

And here the first of the summiteers many hours later…

Sean and Gene by 8:30 (good head start!)

 

 

 

• States represented – Texas, New Mexico, Georgia, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Wyoming, and of course, Colorado.

• Perfect weather! Sunny, but not too hot on the mountains. Even the last ones down from their climbs had only a smell of rain while, in town, the Chili Feed experienced those wonderful afternoon showers to remind us all we were in the pines.

 

 

 

 

• The A-Team: Eric Alexander and Nicklis Stevens POWERED up the Longs Loft Route with a film crew and several others right in step. The feminine members of this team, including Lexy who is her own climbing machine, chose to return via the Keyhole Route rather than endure the pace on the steeper slopes back down.

• The original Power Team: Jim D., Mick S., and Nick showed Fred and Leah of Day of Discovery what it means to gain the summit. They struck ‘the pose’ on Mt. Lady Washington.

• Sarah and Lauren stood on the summit of Estes Cone together for the first time ever in a Climb event. The view and the moment were stunning.

• Those taking in Sprague Lake had the immense delight of sharing their walk with two moose standing in the lake!

 

 

• The Original 14-ers Club: Kristi, Janie, and Kimberly stood on Twin Sisters together. Wherever you find yourselves, keep climbing, girls!

• It was unanimously agreed – the Park Service has poorly marked the junction to Estes Cone from Lily Lake. It is WAY too easy to make a wrong turn and end up on the trail back down….

• Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls did not fail to awe. The waterfalls and wild flowers delighted all!

• Important things to know: It is possible to talk to your mother in Missouri from the top of Estes Cone… Young boys who start out strangers will become the best of friends in the woods…If you don’t tighten your shoes on the way down, your toes may get bruised and you can lose your big toenails…Chili tastes just as good the next day, but not three days in a row.

• More pictures coming! In the meantime, climb Longs with us here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQgybMusqDw

 

We invite you to join us again next year, the first weekend in August, August 3 & 4, 2012. As always, there are new peaks to climb and new vistas to gain.

See you in the mountains!

 

Our heartfelt thanks to these generous supporters:

To all the volunteers - you rock! We’d climb with you anywhere!

 

Rinse Studios Grace Combs Dan and Lynn Snow Andrews, TX Dennis Andersen, DDS Loveland, CO David and Dena Trumbo Loveland, CO Logistechs Scott Connor Resurrection Fellowship Loveland, CO Nico Cost Professional Services Fort Collins, CO  Jim Cox Propp Cleaning Services Loveland, CO Susan Propp MSL Web Design Mike Simonov REI Fort Collins, CO James Etlin Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Buena Vista, CO David Drake After the Fall Ministries Craig DeMartino Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries Laramie, WY Wilderness Ministries Fort Collins, CO Kathleen McCormack

Starbucks 1510 Eisenhower Loveland, CO Kathy Williamson Old Chicago Loveland, CO Village Pizza Estes Park, CO Kathryn Dokter Photography Loveland, CO Advanced Direct Marketing Loveland, CO Dennis DenBoer High Impact Signs Loveland, CO Ravencrest Chalet Estes Park, CO Young Life Bob Seale Family Life Dan and Nancy Butkowski Colorado Avalanche Information Center Ethan Green Larimer County Search and Rescue Debbie Francis Sams Club of Loveland, CO Walmart of Loveland, CO Albertson’s of Loveland, CO Orchards King Soopers of Loveland, CO NorthShore Health and Rehab Loveland, CO