Hi Everyone,

I am giving "My Journey to Everest" presentation at the new Tustin REI Store on Saturday, December 4th at 7 PM.

Attendance is free but you need to register due to limited seating. You do not need to be a REI member.

Here is the link to register:
http://www.rei.com/event/13073/session/16066

Hope you can make it

Cindy, if you should find your way to Fresno (and yes, we have an REI!) I'm sure we could round up a dozen bottoms, and will most certainly buy you a beer.

Wagga, That is so sweet

And I'll buy you dinner!

Seriously, if you ever travel north, keep us in mind, we might be able to help get a presentation scheduled.

We could probably get you some newspaper coverage, too.

SteveC, What if she orders a Yeti?

Cindy, is there a minimum number of bottoms necessary for you to appear at the REI?

Everybody, if you want to and can come to Fresno for the presentation, just wave your hand in the air here...

Hand waving...

New "Tustin" REI? Did the Santa Ana remodel?

I used to work at the Santa Ana REI a couple of years ago.

I have it on my calendar!!

The Santa Ana store is moving to a new location, the Tustin Market Place. Jamboree & the 5 fwy.

Due to the economy, a lot of stores have closed in this mall. I'm guessing REI got a sweet deal to increase the sq. ft. (nearly double the size I believe) for very reasonable rent.

Hey @ti2d,

I love the location where you reside. Did Johnny Carson ever find you guys?

The Santa Ana REI moved to Tustin on October 16th. I've been dying to see the store, but still haven't stopped in.

Primo location!

Being a former Irvine/Tustin resident, my best guess is that they are in the former Ciruit City? Please advise if I am wrong.

If Best Buy (former IKEA) shuttered, WHOA! Next to Black Anus...Did I say that? Angus.

Wazzu (Cougar)...please advise.

I haven't been by the new site yet. But I think you are correct about the old Circuit City location. The last time I was in the Santa Ana store, the person at the register mentioned the new store would have a second floor. The old Circuit City store would be the only one that I can think of that would have the room for a second floor.

Glad to know you are up on the college mascots of the Pac 10, soon to be Pac 12.

Wazzu, did you register? The seats are going. I'll be back later. Have to feed the family

Cindy,

Registration is complete and email confirmation received!

I would love to come up and meet you all. Maybe I can arrange something in late Spring. I have to schedule everything around my teaching schedule and we are climbing Aconcagua during winter break.

Wagga, How many bottoms!?! Too funny!

Cindy,

Wazzu and I will see you December 4th at the new Tustin REI. We look forward to meeting you.

Cool!

FYI: They are having the Grand Opening on Nov 16th (I think) and it is in the old Linens and Things location. Circit City will be a 24 Hour Fitness.

Hi Cindy,
I'm a newbie here, but I seem to be afflicted with much of the same obsession as the rest here. Loved reading your stories here.

And I'll be there on December 4th.

(a little bit of a homecoming for me too...I went to elementary school in Tustin).

Tom

Got good friends who are Bruins (BruinDave and BruinJane). Got other friends who are Huskies, Beavers, Ducks, Sun Devils, Trojans, Wildcats, Indian, and Bears. No friends who are Buffaloes or Utes, yet.

I am glad that REI-Santa Ana moved to TMP. The old location on the Double Nickel was too "warehouse" looking. Parking was good. Getting to REI required a SPOT or GPS if going north on the 55 and then crossing over. South offramp exit was a zip. Plus there wasn't any other place to shop. With TMP, you have options.

I haven't been in OC since July 2007. I lived there from 1985 to 2007. Now, I live in the holy city of Coarsegold (aka Fuggowhee). My wife and I frequent the REI Fresno. Guess it is a good reason to visit OC.

I also heard there was a great seafood place at the former MCAS Tustin LTA.

Cindy, hope you do venture up this way to the geocenter of CA. I am sure your presentation and your life story will spark a lot of interest in hiking, climbing, and the like. N2*Gr8YdOpn.

Also, Steve C, wagga and I (my wife included and especially), would be honored to meet you. Imagine to be sitting next to someone who has been "up there." The only other person my wife and I know is the guy who married us...Kurt Wedberg. Also, if you like Zappos and Macy's and whatnot...oh...please say you don't!

Anyhooooooooo....

You are/will be in good company...just be sure to bring your waggadictionary!

Have fun...

Cindy-
Maybe we could make small name tags with our "board" names so that we can easily recognize each other at the event.
If you are on "both" Whitney boards and use different names, put both on the tag.
Just a thought...

Stacy

Too cool! There are only 9 seats left for the presentation and there will lots of people from the two Whitney Boards. I think wearing name tags with there board names and real name on them so we know who is who is a great idea.

I think you will know me: Cindy Abbott

I got the last to spots. Looking forward to the presentation.

I like the idea about wearing our Whitney Zone names on name tags at the presentation so we can spot each other.

I just found out that Sandy, one of my friends I hiked Mt.W. with this summer, can't make the presentation and another friend is on the fence, so before I let REI know that I will give up one or two seats I'd like to know if Wazzu is registered or if any other WZ members would like a seat on December 4th. I registered three people, myself and two others.

Thanks,
Lynn-a-roo

Hi,

Wazzu is registered

And I think everyone should wear a name badge. I can bring some and you can pick them up at check-in.

This is going to be great!

Wow - you're playing to a full house Cindy, that's great!
The name tags will really help now...
Congrats on filling the room with a month to spare!

Stacy

The presentation is a month away! (Dec 4).

What's that line from Jaws?

...We're gonna need a bigger boat.

U.S.S. Skype...




Have fun...

Totally crazy! Filled up in five days.I will probably do another presentation at the REI in Huntinton Beach in Spring.

Other REI's back East have also contacted me but airfare is expensive - but I never know where the wind will blow me Just as long as it's not off a mountain somewhere!

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for the registration status on Wazzu. See you soon.

Cindy, you get to one of the REIs in the Atlanta area, I promise catpappy and I will attend! Comp hotel too . . .

Cindy Abbott wrote:
> Totally crazy! Filled up in five days. I will probably do another presentation at the REI in Huntinton Beach in Spring.

...Remember, you promised you would come to Fresno, too!


Bulldog34 wrote:
> Comp hotel too . . .

Whoa!!! He's raising the stakes. We'll have to come up with more than the dinner I promised!

If we go get a Yeti I'll chip in for the room also.

Cindy, talking about Yeti, did you fly here. On Yeti Airlines?

Hey, I object to the reference to a comp!

Unless, Steve C, wagga and I fly out to the holy city of Atlanta! My Wifey-pooh, too.

BTW, my wife stays at Marriott on all of her travels! So, take that, Bulldog34!


Have fun...

Gary, my jarhead friend, you guys are always welcome comp in my hotel! Airfare, however, is your problemo.

Say whut? No hablo. Well, I never... ...que siempre...

In that case, Wifey-pooh and I will take the posh luxury penthouse suite at the single rate!



Have fun...

Wagga - Yup. That was a wild ride!!! I have a picture of me sitting about 1 foot behind the pilots as we did the nose-dive landing. I just don't know how to post it here. They say its the world's most dangerous airport but I guess that's a good warm-up the climbing Everest

Hey Everyone, You are all so kind Thank you.

We love to travel and I love to share this story - so . . . .

email the pic to SteveC & he'll help you.

WooHoo, HB is my city Cindy! I'll be at that one too!!

OK call me new, but how do I e-mail Steve C. ?

I am off to give a presentation to the CSUF Environmental Exercise Physiology class.

Hey, check out my website under Media and look at OC Metro Hot 25. It is an award I received last night

You have a Private Message (PM). Look under "My Stuff"/"Messages"

Cindy, my email is in my profile:  stevec@sfsu.edu

To see anyone's profile: click on their displayed name; a drop-down menu appears. Click the "View Profile" option.

or just click the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any page.

If you send me a picture, I'll put it on the web, and include it in a post here.

And congratulations on the Hot 25 award!

Cool - thanks

Will do in AM. tried from giving the presentation. It's exhausting just explaining the Everest climb

Here are Cindy's pictures.  What a fantastic adventure!






You can click on either picture for a full-size view.

Thanks Steve!!!

I was right (like inches) behind the pilot so I had a great view of the landing. I have it on video and Steve said he would post it once I get it to him.

In the second picture, that is me way up front. Scott, our expedition leader is next to me in the orange shirt. He has now summited Everest five times, I think he holds the record for Denali and has 33 Aconcagua trips and done the Seven Summits five time (I think) - anyway I think you get the point - he is an amazing climber!

The ladies in the photo were in our trekking group - they were so much fun. We had 8 females and 4 males for the trek into base camp.

I highly recommend the Everest trek: beautiful, cultural, and you get to fly into Lukla

I'd say the airplane pictures are of the group before climbing and getting high-altitude wasted. Yes?

Harvey,

Yup! I looked a lot different after the climb. I think my husband used the word "scary" in a loving way.

Speaking of Lukla Airport: I just watched a show of the world's most dangerous airports and why. You will never guess which airport was ranked as the #1 most dangerous? LUKLA!

I have not have time to find the video clip - but it is wild!

I just happened to stumble across a few clips on YouTube of Lukla AP a couple of weeks ago. Scary isn't the word - terrifying would be more appropriate. There are a bunch of videos on YouTube of landings there - well worth the time spent.

Hey Everyone,

A group of people are going for a hike on Baldy summit on Dec 4th at 6 AM. We are meeting at parking lot at Manker Flats. Remember it could be winter conditions so bring the appropriate gear.

Summit in the morning and REI presentation at night

Summiting for a Cure

The Cal State Fullerton newspaper released a nice post-climb

http://www.dailytitan.com/2010/11/30/summiting-for-a-cure/

Please forgive the errors. The writer meant well just doesn't know about my disease or climbing. Both take time to learn

Looking forward to meeting some of you on Saturday!!!

looks like there is going to be one more seat for someone to sit in. I've been nursing a nasty throat infection and it's better if I don't go. It sounds like there will be plenty of walk-ins so that my seat won't go to waste.

tdtz: Hope you feel better! Can you go on REI's website and release your seat?

I will be giving the presentation again - hope you come then The video from Camp 4 is very - funny No oxygen = brain failure

Hi Cindy,
finally had to call REI to release the seat, but it is done.

I look forward to catching your presentation at the next stop on your world tour!
Tom

I have two extra seats. Wazzu's friend and my friend won't be joining us, so you're welcome to one of our seats.

Good morning,

I am off to Baldy to meet a group for some exercise before my presentation tonight. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Tom - too funny "World Tour"

Cindy,

Great presentation. Your story is even more amazing hearing it in person. Your pictures of all your travels are awesome.

It was so nice to put a face to a 'posting' name.

And to top it off, Doug Sr. and Earlene in attendence.

Thanks wazzu, It was a fun day: the hike and then everyone at the presentation.

Someone PMed these questions so i am posting my reply:

Hi,

I am glad to enjoyed the presentation. I relive the experience each time I tell it. I wish REI's technical equipment worked better but they had just got it in that day.

1. Would you do it again?
If someone paid my expenses and for my husband to come to base camp - I might do it again. The worse thing was being away from my family for two months.

2.What time did you summit?
We left Camp 4 at 9 PM and I stepped onto the summit at 9:02 AM.

3. What percentage of your trip self funded vs. sponsored?
My paid my expenses by taking out loans. I tried to get a sponsor but I guess I didn't fit into their corporate plan. Family and friends did donate some money which helped buy the
expensive Everest gear (boots, down suit, etc...).

4. Where did you use crampons for the first time? Since you only started climbing 3 years ago.
In 2005 we spent 2 hours in rented crampons on a glacier in Norway (does not really qualify). The first real time I used crampons was during the 3-day ice climbing course in Lee Vining.

These are great questions. As you can tell, the story is full of details which is why I have decided to write a book. Not the typical Everest climb - if there is such a thing. Crazy stuff!

Thanks for coming!
Cindy

Thank you Cindy. I thought it was a wonderful and inspiring talk. Your images were beautiful. But, don't see Everest as a goal. My palms sweat just looking at those ladders!

And, congrats to Stacy!

It was nice to meet a few people last night and great to see Doug and Earlene.

I was hoping to get there early, but traffic from Murrieta kind of sucked just a bit.

Thanks again......

And a big "Thank You" to Larry for assisting with the technical equipment!

Dear Cindy,

Your presentation last night brought out many emotions for me. Sometimes I felt myself gasping out of fear, other times I was on the edge of my chair, next I'd be awe struck with wonder, there were times when I'd laugh, and other times my I felt my pulse race. Your presentation ran the gamut when it came to human emotions.

It was wonderful meeting you, your family and the family of the WPMB and the WZ all in one place. Having name tags for us to write our message board names on was a great idea.

I have three questions:

1. What did you do all day long when you didn't have laundry to do?

2. Were you able to talk with your family in the USA while at Base Camp?

3. Did your Guides have any feedback as to the differnce (better or worse) between a primarily estrogen vs. a primarily testosterone team?

Last, but not least, WOW, I can't believe you hiked Mt. Baldy and still gave a presentation to a full house last night. You're Wonder Woman in my book.

Thank you, Larry and your daughter for sharing your Mt. Everest trip. You have a great support group in your family.

Sincerely,
Lynn

Cindy, the closest REI to me is in Manhattan Beach. Do you have any plans to make future presentations? And if so, where and when?

Thanks Joe! It was great to FINALLY meet you
I'm looking forward to hiking the Baldy Bowl with crampons and an axe again once we get some coverage...you and Gary are still in, right?

Stacy

Hey Stacy, I saw the good news. Now that your engagement is public knowledge, you will have to keep everyone up-to-date with future plans.  

Congratulations!

Thank you so much for your kinds words - it means a lot to me. My answers to your questions are in blue.

Thanks Steve! It was a special hike, that's for sure
I'll post something when we decide where and when.

Hint: the name Whitney has been mentioned...lol!!!

Take care,
Stacy and Curt