Today we hiked up Parker Ridge and got debriefed on snow and ice safety. This included different foot placements, how to self-arrest using an ice axe, use of crampons, ice anchors & rescue techniques, knot tying.

Our day ended around 5:00. We returned to the campsite, had supper then packed up our gear for the climb tomorrow. It was early to bed, because we’re looking at a 2:00 AM wake-up! It doesn’t appear that it will freeze tonight, so we need to get on the trail early to make sure we’re up and down before the snow becomes unsafe.

After months of waiting, planning, waiting, fundraising and WAITING, the day is finally here!  Today we made the journey from windy Lethbridge to beautiful Canmore, Alberta where we’ll spend the night.  At 7:30 AM we meet the guide atYamnuska Mountaineering Adventures, where we get debriefed on the weekend climb.  We’ll also be fitted for gear suitable for snow and ice climbing.

There’s a big folk festival going on in town this weekend.  It’s really helping us channel the spirit of the mountains!  This is a pic of 3 Sisters mountain, here in Canmore.  Enjoy…plenty more to come!

I can’t believe my snow & ice climb is this weekend!

A big thanks goes out to the Lethbridge branch of BFI Canada for coming on board as the climb sponsor with a donation of $2,500.  I’d also like to thank my other big sponsors – MaxWell Realty, Century 21 Realty Lethbridge, Sobey’s, WalMart South and Homes Alive Pet Centre -  for their generous donations of $500 or more.  Finally, thanks to all of you who have supported this worthy cause by coming to one of the fundraisers, dropping your spare change in the donation cans, donating online, or handing me a cheque to take to Big Brothers Big Sisters.  How ever you made a contribution toward the cause, I’m proud of you!

Thank-you Country 95, Global TV Lethbridge, CTV Lethbridge, 98.1 CKVN and 94.1 CJOC for your interest in my climb and the opportunity to talk about it on air.

I’ve raised just over $5000 toward my goal of $10,000 through fundraising activities like BBQ’s at Sobey’s North and South; a car wash at MaxWell Realty with a lot of soapy help from The Stone; a concert fundraiser sponsored by The Stone featuring Free Byrd (a Lynyrd Skynrd tribute band); a BBQ at WalMart South; and donation cans at interested business all around town.

Please take the opportunity to donate what you can toward this worthy cause over the weekend, while I slog my way through the ice & snow on Mt. Athabasca!  The donation cans will remain available across town throughout the weekend.  You can also make a donation by visiting my sponsorship page on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge website – donations over $10 are eligible for a tax receipt, so take advantage of that and support a very worthy cause!

Two other climbers, Gerritt Van Asche and Nancy Leggett, are particpating this year.  Want to know more?  Check out the Trevor Stuart Climb for Kid’s Sake page on Yamnuska Mountain Adventures website!

I’m so excited!  I’ve put together an amazing team of real estate professionals who all share my passion for providing a great client experience.  Together, we’re called Team Stuart and we’re committed to working together to help you realize your real estate dreams.  Whether you’re a first-time buyer trying to purchase your first home or a seasoned investor looking to expand your real estate investment portfolio, we’re here to make the process easy.

Check out our Team Stuart website.  And stay tuned… Shaw Cable has been airing a piece about our first Home Buyer’s Seminar, held on November 1st at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre.  I’ll post a link here soon!

Wow! What an amazing adventure and a perspective-changing experience!  This photo of my group was taken when we arrived in Kathmandu at the beginning of this incredible journey.  Over the past 21 days we’ve gotten to know each other and made friendships that will last us a lifetime.  We’re back in Kathmandu now and waiting for the flights that will return us all to reality.  I’ll be on the first leg of my journey home tomorrow night (which is Sunday morning here in Nepal!).

Thank you to this group of wonderful people and to Berg Adventures for yet another stellar experience.  Thanks to my great sponsors, Homes Alive Pet Center and Lee Mein at the Canadian Martial Arts Center.  And thank you to all of you who followed my blog and (hopefully!) took this opportunity to offer either your time or some money in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge – after all, that was the point of this whole experience.  To get involved or donate, please visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge website or click the blue become a sponsor button to the left!

This is Trevor Stuart, signing off from Kathmandu, Nepal – see you in Lethbridge!