"Go for Summit" Party - Summerhill Winery

Location: Summerhill Winery

Start Time
5:00 pm

You are invited to treat yourself to a night of Sipping, Savouring, and Symphony.

"Go for Summit" Party - Summerhill Winery

February 8, 2012, 5pm to 8pm

Indulge your senses with:

Award winning wines from Summerhill Winery

- and Special Event pricing for case lots

( www.summerhill.bc.ca )

Amazing, rich and creamy, Rocky Mountain Frozen Desserts made from 100% Organic Coconut Milk

( www.rockymountaindessertco.ca )

Palate pleasing chocolate from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

( www.rockychoc.com )

Delicious and nutritious, hand-made creations by Lake Country Harvest

250-470-7759

Soothing Organic Vital Java coffee from Vital Waters

( www.vitalwaters.ca )

Classical music performed by members of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra

( www.okanagansymphony.com )

Early-Bird Tickets: $30 (through Nov. 30)

Advanced Tickets: $40 (through Jan. 25)

At-the-Door Tickets: $50

Please Remember: "Mount Everest Summit Team" Limited Edition, individually numbered, custom, collectible stainless steel water bottle (1 Litre) $20; please see poster

Please contact me to purchase Party Tickets and Water Bottles.

Thank you,

Ryan Morice

www.Adventure-Capital.ca

Support Ryan Morices climb of Mount McKinley Spring 2012 by purchasing this commemorative water bottle.

Support Ryan Morice by purchasing this commemorative water bottle.

Contact Ryan @ (250) 864-1812 Or email @ ryanmorice@gmail.com

The Quest to Reach the Highest Point on Every Continent - McKinley (Denali)

SEVEN SUMMITS
The Quest to Reach the Highest Point on Every Continent
by Steve Bell

Mount McKinley (Denali)

The view of McKinley from Wonder Lake, north of the mountain, is one of the most majestic mountain scenes anywhere in the world, as McKinley and the Alaska Range rise abruptly from the Arctic tundra and surrounding lowlands. This is the view that inspired the native Inuit people to call it Denali, the "High One."

Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, is the second hardest climb of the Seven Summits, only surpassed by Everest. It is a mountain of grand scale, standing head and shoulders above its neighbours, and presents a tough challenge. Lying just south of the Arctic Circle in Alaska, at 63*N, it is one of the coldest mountains in the world and the elevation gain from the foot of the mountain to the summit is almost 6000m (20,000 ft), one of the greatest vertical gains in the world. Also, because it is closer to the pole, the lower barometric pressure make an ascent comparable to climbing a 7000m (23,000 ft) peak in the Himalayas.

McKinley is the apex of the Alaska Range, stretching from the Aleutian Peninsula, through central Alaska, to curve southeast to meet the Mount St. Elias Range in Canada. Three major glaciers radiate out from it: the Muldrow to the northeast, the Ruth to the southeast, and the Kahiltna to the southwest. It has two summits, the South Summit 6194m (20,320 ft) and the lower North Summit 5934m (19,500 ft), separated by the lofty Denali Pass.

This wild, untamed region is surprisingly accessible - only 240km (150 miles) north of Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. The nearest town is Talkeentna, from where a 40-minute flight takes climbers into the mountain's icy embrace.

Climbing the World's Highest Mountains - Mount McKinley

Peaks of Glory
Climbing the World's Highest Mountains
by Stefano Ardito

Mount McKinley
Trecherous Jaws of Ice

"The mountains of Alaska are not the tallest in the world; the great summits of the Himalayas tower a good thousand or two thousand meters above them. But in the Himalayas, the snowline is at five or six thousand meters. Around Mount McKinley, the entire region is blanketed by perennial snow and ice."

With these words, Claude F. Kusk described the scene more than eighty years ago, as the first expedition set out to scale the tallest mountain in North America.

Kusk was certainly correct. In the state that Czar Alenander II sold to the United States in 1867, the great mountain chains form one of the most inhospitable and savage expanses of wilderness in the world.

The climate at the top of McKinley is among the harshest in the world, outside of the polar regions.

Much the same may be said for Mount Deborah, Mount Saint Lhas, and Mount Logan--for all of the major peaks in Canada's British Columbia and in Alaska, caught between the gales of the Pacific and the storms of the Arctic.

Mount McKinley (which is called Denali by the Athapaskan Indians) was introduced to mountain climbing during the Klondike gold rush of the turn of [the last] century.

The race for the peak of Mount McKinley was just dramatic enough to match this context.

Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo - The Seven Summits

The Seven Summits
Editor: Cleland, Paul
	Cam McAlpine introduced our speaker, Ryan Morice, a mountaineer from Kelowna who's goal is to climb all seven hightest summits on the seven continents. His plan is to complete this feat in one year and do it twice on each mountain. In addition to mountain climbing, he is a competitor in the Ironman and Triathlon events.
Ryan is obviously an individual that loves a challenge that tests his endurance and physical stamina. In 2008 he climbed 14,410 ft. Mt. Rainier in Washington and in 2009 began his serious training in Colorado with eighteen 14,000 foot climbs in 5 days. This information and the details of his "Seven Summit" goal prompted a member to ask, "Are you well, Ryan?" It is obvious he is a very ambitious and physically fit person. The seven mountains Ryan plans to scale - each twice - include: Aconcagua in Argentina, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Denali in Alaska, Carstensz in Australasia and capped by the world's highest, Mount Everest (29,035 ft) in Tibet/Nepal in Asia . One of the reasons he gives for doing the climb twice is that since he's already there, he might as well! Also, weather conditions can dictate the results of a climb - delay or cancelling it so doing it twice gives an additional opportunity for success. His itinerary is based on typical annual weather conditions at each location. He has added an additional challenge - he hopes to join the small list of people who have climbed Everest without using supplementary oxygen, something only about 100 climbers have ever done. He states, "I'm attempting to do it in the mountains leading up to Everest. It will give me a good indication of how my body is adjusting to that when it comes to the big climb. Of course, the Sherpas will have oxygen bottles with them, just in case." On top of low oxygern levels and the thin atmosphere, Morice will also have to battle temperatures and windhchills as low as minus 50 to - 60. His climb schedule is planned to begin in May 2012. Ryan has many local sponsors who provide smaller grants and he is now looking for larger contributor sponsors. Timex has donated a high-end watch and is looking for feedback on how it performs at high altitude. He is hoping they will also come on board as a major sponsor. His goal is to raise $250K or more by climb time. He showed some of his climbing gear which included his Jacket which cost $940 and is the warmest on earth using European down feathers. It's bulky but very light and extremely warm. The high-tech design provides protection at minus 60C. His large mitts ($200) can accomodate gloves inside if needed; his amazing boots ($450) are also rated to minus 60C and his pants match the jacket ($525). The total cost of gear is around $8K and also includes his ice axe, goggles, etc. Stress on the body is the risk. There is a "death zone" on each mountain where the body can't regenerate as fast as it breaks down under the conditions. One must not stay longer than 16 to 18 hours on a summit before descending. What is Ryan's motivation - "What drives you?" He lists the release of energy, the fun of training, the experience, going where few others have gone and the fact that "I couldn't find a real job!" Everyone is invited to enjoy a great "Go for Summit" party.

Mountaineer climbs the world

by Grant Scott - Story: 63651 as posted on Castanet
Aug 7, 2011 / 5:00 am

Ryan Morice is an ambitious man who likes a challenge. For Morice, the greatest test is one of endurance. No road too far, no lake too wide, no mountain too far or too high, literally.

He moved to Kelowna back in 2000 to begin his tri-athlon training. When tri-athlons stopped satisfying his craving to do more, he took up Ironman Triathlon. Then he decided he could climb mountains.

"I had done hiking for a long time and some lower mountains in the Fraser Valley. It wasn't until 2008 when I summitted Mount Ranier, that was my first big glaciated mountain over 14,000 feet," says Morice.

That gave him a taste of what it was like on the big mountains and he was hooked.

"I really enjoyed that. So in 2009 I went down to Colorado wanting to get back to the 14,000 foot elevations so I spent a couple of weeks there and summitted 18 of the 14,000 foot peaks in 12 days."

He didn't just do it because it was there. The rigorous pace proved to Morice that he could tackle the big summits, and that means Mount Everest.

Before Everest, there are other mountains he must conquer, as even the 14,000 peaks of Colorado won't be enough as he prepares to climb beyond 20,000 feet.

The process of training properly and preparing his body for the extreme elevations takes years of both exercise and acclimatization.

So, the 39-year-old Kelowna tri-athlete plans to complete the Seven Summits. Of the many popular collections of mountains that climbers try to complete, the Seven Summits offers the widest variety of experiences.

The wind-beaten and barren "Stone Sentinel" of Aconcagua commands the South American Andes; Kilimanjaro's snow-capped volcano dominates Africa; the double-headed crown of Elbrus reigns as the surprising king of Europe; the recently discovered Vinson Massif hides within the ice wilderness of Antarctica.

There's Denali, in Alaska; Australasia with the choice of Kosciuszko or the pyramid of Carstensz; and the highest of them all, Everest, offers the most prized of all summits.

By climbing the first six, he'll have proven himself ready for Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 29,035 feet.

"I'll be using the other six as preparation for Everest, which will be the finale. Usually the guides want you to have a lot of experience before you even attempt Everest," says Morice.

That finale also includes an extra challenge. Morice hopes to join the small list of people who have climbed Everest without using supplementary oxygen, something only about 100 climbers have ever done.

"I'm attempting to do it. In the mountains leading up to it, it will give me a good indication of how my body is adjusting to that when it comes to the big climb. Of course, the Sherpas will have oxygen bottles with them, just in case."

On top of low oxygen levels and the thin atmosphere, Morice will also have to battle temperatures and windchills as low as minus 50 to minus 60 Celsius.

This is his big preparation year. After triathlon training during the summer months, he will head back to Colorado in September and do more of the 14,000-foot peaks.

By May of 2012 he'll be ready to tackle Denali first, then three others on the list of seven, plus an Ironman, then the final three mountains, plus an Ironman in 2013.

All within a 12 month period.

And if there's time, he might just do it all again.

"The grand plan is actually to do all seven of them twice in the one year period."

Mt. Everest - North East Ridge

Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet, as well as many other less frequently climbed routes.[30] Of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently used route. It was the route used by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and the first recognized of fifteen routes to the top by 1996.[30] This was, however, a route decision dictated more by politics than by design as the Chinese border was closed to the western world in the 1950s after the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet.[31]

Most attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. As the monsoon season approaches, a change in the jet stream at this time pushes it northward, thereby reducing the average wind speeds high on the mountain.[32][33] While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons in September and October, when the jet stream is again temporarily pushed northward, the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns (tail end of the monsoon) makes climbing extremely difficult.

North East Ridge

The northeast ridge route begins from the north side of Everest in Tibet. Expeditions trek to the Rongbuk Glacier, setting up Base Camp at 5,180 m (16,990 ft) on a gravel plain just below the glacier. To reach Camp II, climbers ascend the medial moraine of the east Rongbuk Glacier up to the base of Changtse at around 6,100 m (20,000 ft). Camp III (ABC – Advanced Base Camp) is situated below the North Col at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). To reach Camp IV on the north col, climbers ascend the glacier to the foot of the col where fixed ropes are used to reach the North Col at 7,010 m (23,000 ft). From the North Col, climbers ascend the rocky north ridge to set up Camp V at around 7,775 m (25,500 ft).

The route crosses the North Face in a diagonal climb to the base of the Yellow Band reaching the site of Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft). From Camp VI, climbers will make their final summit push. Climbers face a treacherous traverse from the base of the First Step: 27,890 feet (8,500 m) – 28,000 feet (8,500 m), to the crux of the climb, the Second Step: 28,140 feet (8,580 m) – 28,300 feet. (The Second Step includes a climbing aid called the "Chinese ladder", a metal ladder placed semi-permanently in 1975 by a party of Chinese climbers. It has been almost continuously in place since, and ladders have been used by virtually all climbers on the route.) Once above the Second Step the inconsequential Third Step is clambered over: 28,510 feet (8,690 m) – 28,870 feet (8,800 m). Once above these steps, the summit pyramid is climbed by a snow slope of 50 degrees, to the final summit ridge along which the top is reached.[36]

Info from Wikipedia

Morice sets his sights on Everest

Okanagan Sunday By J.P. SQUIRE

Kelowna triathlete plans to climb the Seven Summits, twice


Ryan Morice wants to go down in history by going up Mount Everest without using supplementary oxygen. Not only that, but his master plan is to climb all Seven Summits. Not just once but twice.

The 39-year-old Kelowna triathlete plans to climb to the top of the world’s highest mountain (at 29,035 feet) in 2012 and also compete in the Penticton Ironman (for
the sixth time) the same year.

He laughs when asked if his Everest ascent is meant to celebrate another milestone,his 40th birthday. “Not intentionally,but it is that year so I’m going to make it big. Yeah.” It wasn’t a lifelong dream “because I was never fond of the cold,” Morice said last week. “That’s why I did triathlon training
in the summer.”

He actually set his Everest goal four years ago, starting the planning process, lining up sponsors, collecting gear and intensifying his training while getting used to the cold, all while working at Okanagan outdoor stores and other retailers. “It’s a challenge to fit it all in,” he admitted. “I use triathlon training, Ironman training as part of that preparation. And now that I’ve done Ironman five times, I used that as endurance training,” he said.

“In the summer, I still do triathlon training. And in the winter, I switch to snowshoeing, weightlifting, hiking, cardio and general fitness to try to be as  aerobically efficient as I can be, hoping not to use the supplementary oxygen. I want to be as fit as I can.”

Only 100 climbers have made it to the top of Everest without oxygen, including one woman, Lydia Bradey, in 1988. About 500 people a year try to reach the summit with one-in-four or about 125 successful. Four hundred try the Nepal side and 100 the more difficult Tibet side that Morice has chosen.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 climbers have ever reached the top of Everest. By comparison,about 50,000 people a year climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,340 feet. As of January 2010, 275 climbers have done the Seven Peaks .

This is his big preparation year. He plans to compete in the Boise Marathon in May, then climb Mount Whitney in California (14,505 feet), the highest mountain in the contiguous U.S. After triathlon training during the summer months, he will head back to Colorado in September and do more of the 14,000-foot peaks.In October, he plans  to head to Nepal and do a practise run to the base camp. Then, in November and December, he plans to climb Cerro Aconcagua — at 22,841 feet, the highest mountain in the South American Andes — twice.

“I figure while I’m there...,” he said,adding: “I’ll use the first time as practice. For Kilimanjaro, as an example, I’ll try to run up as far as possible in January.” His “grand plan” is to do all of the so-called Seven Summits — the highest mountain peaks on the seven continents — twice. “I don’t think anyone has done them two times.”

Timing is crucial. Everyone climbs Everest in May, the lull between storms.“What I would like to do is head there toward the end of March 2012 and spend a couple of  weeks treking into the Nepal base camp as preparation, join the rest of the team and then we go in from the Tibet side,” said Morice. The team — strangers to each  other — will come from around the world. Their guide is an Australian. They would spend about a month acclimatizing at the Tibet base camp, elevation 21,000 feet, then gradually move up the mountain and preparing for “summit day” toward the end of May.

“Generally, there’s about a dozen climbers on a team and then you’ve got 20 Serpas carrying all the stuff. You meet them once you get to the base camp or Katmandu or wherever we join up,” said Morice.
“They try and get you to buddy up with at least one other person. When you do the climb, you go up as small teams, maybe three or four with the guiding Serpas. So you want to have someone you work well with because you’re supporting each other.”

The cost of the trek from the Tibet side is $50,000 and the Nepal side, $70,000. “And you pay three months in advance,” Morice said with a grin. Plus the cost of top-of-the-line equipment: boots $450, jacket $940, pants $500, mitts $250, sleeping bag $950, and additional gear, $5,000. His Yeti jacket, for example, is touted as “the warmest jacket on earth.”

“I’ve got amazing sponsors; they’ve been very supportive. I tried to choose the bestof-the-best in each category: Valhalla Pure for gear, Vital Waters with water,  Lifestyle Chiropractic and Good Feet arch supports,” he said. “I keep saying that climbing the mountain is going to be easy after raising the money. It’s like ‘Now,  all I’ve got to do is just go climb the mountain. The rest is done.’”

The four-year process seems to be going faster and faster all the time. “Three years ago, I was like ‘I’ve got three years.’ Two years ago, I could start to feel ‘Now,  it’s two years away.’ As soon as 2011 turned, then it’s like ‘It’s one year away.’ It’s really hit me. Lots to do but I will be ready. Neither wind nor sleet nor hail nor rain will keep me from my duty,” he said with another laugh.

Morice has already established a Facebook group called Adventure Capital, reflecting not only the money it will cost him and the adventure but climbing the capitals of  the world’s mountain peaks.
He will also launch a website: http://www.adventurecapital.ca/, in the near future with updates, photos and videos of his journey. “I wanted a catchy name and the play on words. A video documentary crew will follow us and hopefully, it ends up on the Discovery channel,” he said.