Some people sit around and talk about things they'd like to do someday. They wax poetic but never really get around to doing anything. Well not my friends...

A casual conversation over sliders and pulled pork sandwiches produced this year's Climb to Fight Breast Cancer team and perhaps even more impressive is the small army of people that are committed to getting us up the mountain and keeping us company on training hikes even in less-than-ideal conditions.

To start the year off on an active note, Eric, Logan and I enrolled in a Nordic Ski Class with the Mazamas.  For four Sundays in a row we woke before sunrise and headed to the snowy Cascades.  Along with five other beginners we waltzed and limboed our way to proper ski technique.  We had a couple of beautiful days as you'll see from the pictures from Teacup Lake.

And then there are training hikes, our little group of three grows to include a larger cast of characters including Logan, Matt, Emily and Shawn. Oh, and how could I forget the dog party -- Audrey, Violet, Bart, Bubba and Sammy provide endless amusement.  So far we've tackled Dry Creek Falls and Angel's Rest. There's talk of turning this week's hike into a snowshoe since there's new snow as low as 1000 ft. and well hiking in a down pour is only amusing for so long.

Want to join us on a training hike? Send an email, we'd be happy to have you join us!

On June 9 & 10th I'll be climbing Mt. Hood to raise much needed funding to fight Breast Cancer.  This is my second venture to the summit and this year my good friends Eric Sullender and Libby Tucker are joining me on what promises to be an amazing adventure. Together we hope to raise $11,249 -- that's a dollar for every foot that Mt. hood rises above sea level. It’s a lofty goal and that’s why we need your help. Please consider making a donation today.

I made my first trip to the summit of Mt. Hood last year with the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer and I know some of you think it’s crazy to head up the mountain again, but I think it's crazy that every three minutes a woman in the US is diagnosed with breast cancer.  So I'm climbing again, and with your help, we can get one step closer to finding a cure!

Your contribution will benefit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, an organization that is on the forefront of breast cancer research.  Their team of world-renowned scientists are working diligently to prevent, diagnose, treat and ultimately eradicate breast cancer

I'll keep this page updated with tales and photos and I do hope you'll join us on the most worthwhile of adventures.

Thank you for reading & for your support!

Erika

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is an independent, nonprofit biomedical-research institution and is one of 39 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers nationwide. At the HutchinsonCenter, their interdisciplinary team of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

The Hutchinson Center is on the forefront of breast cancer research.  It relies on the private sector to provide funding for scientists to develop cutting-edge studies.  Traditional funding, such as from the National Institutes of Health, typically does not support these initial research projects.  Funds raised through the Climb provides seed money for Hutchinson Center scientists and researchers to launch new studies.  This seed money enables scientists to develop preliminary findings, a necessary first step before they are eligible to compete for large-scale research awards.  Proceeds from the 2007 Climb to Fight Breast Cancer will directly benefit these types of breast cancer studies, called pilot studies, at the Hutchinson Center. With your help, and the ongoing work of Hutchinson Center scientists, we will be one step closer to eliminating breast cancer.   For more information about the climb or the Center please visit www.fhcrc.org/climb.