I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous before a climb, especially on the “Mountain of Mountains”. The nerves are some combination of the eager butterflies before a football game, self doubt, and fear of the unknown. For that reason, I have a kind of ritual before every trip up a mountain. The night prior to climbing, I read the the stack of notes and prayers from my friends and family gave me before departing for my climb. They give me strength, guidance, and most of all, remind me of how much love surrounds me.
These notes, prayers, and the overwhelming support of everyone following my journey, mean more to me than words can describe. Thank you, all!
Now to the details… Tomorrow, at 5 AM, we will depart basecamp and head to Advanced Basecamp, which is about 900’ of vertical gain. From there we will begin our climb up the Abruzzi Spur, which will be our route up the mountain. It is a sustained 45 degree climb and we will gain an additional 3,000’ before reaching Camp 1, at 20,200’. We estimate that it will take us 2 hours on the hike to ABC and another 5-6 hours up the route to C1, arriving in time for lunch. From there, we will spend 2 nights, with the second day being a rest day. On the third day, we will move to Camp 2 at approximately 23,000’, which will require almost 3,000’ of vertical gain. The elevation gain depends on where we decide to set C2 because it requires that we cut tent platforms into the snow bank. We will spend 2 nights there and descend back to K2BC on the fifth day. If it sounds like a lot of work, that is because it is. I expect to get my butt kicked.
I will be writing during our rest days but won’t be able to post, so I will be calling in via satellite phone to report on progress. It’s going to be challenging, so please keep my team in your prayers.
Before I go to sleep, I also want to thank a few people and organizations who have helped me to turn my dream into a reality…
Thank you to my partner organizations who have supported me through my “Leading from the Front” campaign, a recognition of agricultural companies that are leaders in the industry. These organizations include: Anthony Vineyards, Blue Diamond, C.H. Robinson/Robinson Fresh, Driscolls, Grimmway Farms/Cal Organic, Mission Produce, and one very near to my heart, Stenderup Ag Partners. I am proud to represent them both on and off of the mountain, and hope to bring pride to their teams through my effort.
My leading from the front partners
Thank you to the True Jerky Boys for my stylish apparel
I am so excited for you and am sending SO many positive thoughts and vibes your way! You are a super-human and I’m never surprised by what you’re able to accomplish. Will be thinking about you for the next 4-5 days until you return to the grid and following you closely!
Morning John! I must admit I am partial to the photo of you in your “stylish apparel”… I have seen that expression on your face hundreds of times, only now it is accentuated by facial hair! LOL Uncle Bruce and I want to extend our personal thanks to all of your partner associations for their support and enthusiasm as you take on this challenge. Love and prayers for good weather and minimal butt kicking over the next couple of days!
Good luck John! Have a great time.
Positive prayers to you and your team. I get updates as well from your mom when we have lunch. You are the most adventurous family I know. Although you have the extreme adrenaline adventure bug! So happy you can fulfill your dreams and be able to travel as you do.
By the way love the picture of you with your mom and dad. AND where can I get a T-shirt
I’m sure that I can figure out a way to get you a t-shirt!
Sending an extra little angel with you and all my positive thoughts. Also thinking of all those seafaring Vikings that just knew they could do it.
Farmor
Safe travels on your journey, we left this morning on ours. Hope to make it to Flagstaff not quite Advance Base Camp but hey we do what we can. Stay positive and we are so proud to have you representing CHR/Robinson Fresh!
You are definitely in my prayers. You and your whole team. I have been telling a lot of my church friends.
Have a great rotation: rest; then more upward and upward
You and your team are in our thoughts and prayers as you continue on this amazing journey!! Your dedication and strength are ahh inspiring
Thank you for the thoughts and prayers, Myra!
As I melt here in Los Angeles, thanks to the 100+ temps, I’m envisioning myself up there with you, where it isn’t quite so hot. It makes me complain less. Watched you a bit last night as you guys made your way up. That was exciting. I’m sending good thoughts your way to give you guys a little push from behind.
BTW, I’ll be hanging out at a reggae party on the beach today. It is as adventurous as I can get. 🙂
Wish you good luck on your way up.
Remember – there is a lot of “viking” in you.
Look forward to your next up-date.
Lisbeth, I always remind myself of that, especially when I want to complain about being cold 😉
Greetings John fr. Steve & Susan Hallum……Steve & I just watched a documentary on K2 and all we can say is “WOW”, unbelievable, a goddess of a mountain, amazing, spectacular, intense!! So proud of you as you master this incredible journey of challenge, strength, perseverance, focus, teamwork, passion, & desire!! You truly are inspiring beyond words….we are praying for you and your entire team for safe travels to the top. Believe in yourself, keep encouraging yourself, and never doubt what you can do!! Keep the Faith!! By the way….Love the pic of you, your dad & mom..
Steve & Susan, it’s so great to hear from you! It means the world that you are following my climb and I just hope that I can make our community proud through my efforts. By the way, if I pull this off, Steve will be able to say that he beat a summiter of Everest, K2 and Lhotse in 3 on 2 basketball with his daughter as his teammate! I’ll never live that one down! Keep those prayers coming!
Good luck John and may your dreams come reality. Many times I mentioned you in my prayers . Many times I mentioned you in all the encouragements towards my daughter while in the mountains. You are determined and passionate and you are once again following the mountain call! Good for you! All we can do is wait and pray and send you the best vibes we can gather!
Elena, the support that I get from you, your daughter, and others, are what give me the true strength to percevere. Thank you!
I was wondering when M&M’s might appear, and of course they did, courtesy of your Mom in red, white and blue! So sweet! While enjoying all that MN summer has to offer, it would be hard to imagine what camping on a glacier preparing for this K2 climb in Pakistan would be like, if it weren’t for your notes. Your journal entries, just like Everest, are truly remarkable in many ways. I bet everyone reading has shed tears, smiled and laughed several times. They are also very telling of your perseverance and adaptability to learn from your experiences. I’m sure you’ll take a good butt-kickin rotation and all that it has to offer in preparing you and your team for the next stages and final summit. Thanks for taking us all along on this journey with you. All the best to you and your team as you continue on, John! So excited to see you achieve your dream!
You’re the best, Brenda! Thank you for always being one of, if not, my biggest supporters at CHR! I’m doing my best up here to represent, not only through effort but also integrity. Can’t wait to get back and take my Marketing Team out to happy hour!
John, just know that we too are proud of you…not only for your climbing abilities and adventuresome spirit…but also for the man you are. We are praying for you and each member of your team…every step of the way!!
Thank you for the kind words, Gene! Keep those prayers coming!
Hi. John. It’s Andrea, Chris Lemmon’s wife. We are following your climb once again and sending prayers for your safe journey. You are such an inspiration to those of us mediocre thrill seekers. Have fun!
Great to hear from you, Andrea! Thank you for the prayers, we greatly appreciate them. Hope you and Chris have an opportunity to take a celebratory shot on my behalf again! Stay tuned…