The 2014 National Wilson Awards

Got a big birthday coming up. Lotta folks gonna throw parties all over the whole world. Question for me is, what present to give? Gold? Frankincense? Myrrh?

This Jesus thing is interesting. People make a big deal about him. Son of God. The Messiah. You gotta do this because Jesus says so.

But did he even exist? My answer is yes, he does – at least as an idea.  And Christmas is a wonderful idea – too bad it primarily belongs to the merchants.

I think if Jesus had a birthday wish, it would go like this:

"Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

I don’t have any personal friends who need anything. And so, for Christmas, I honor my friends by giving Jesus something in their name. This year I’ve elevated that practice to a sort of mini-academy awards for the people I have encountered who practice that simple notion of helping others.

And so, by virtue of the authority, which I have brazenly assumed, I would like to announce the 2014 National Wilson Awards. (I say “national,” because I’m probably the only guy in the U.S. with a One World Futbol named Wilson. It’s my game, so it’s my rules.)

Each One World Futbol I purchase will be assigned a name that recognizes the honoree(s). Here they are, in no particular order:

Apostle: This one is named for Paul, a guy I call the Apostle Paul. He lives in the basement of the church at the other end of my block. Paul stands on the corner at all hours and all weathers, with his arms up in the air, facing foot and auto traffic. I first saw him when I would park at night and walk past him. He would mutter, “Jesus loves you, brother.” That led me to taking the longer way home. But then one day I was walking past the church and he was out mowing the lawn! Wow. We struck up a conversation I learned he was eccentric, but not dangerous. He’s doing some sort of atonement, and we all could do a little bit of that. Paul is my friend now, and he’s doing his penance by talking about Christ as he understands him. When I came home at 11 p.m. the other night, there he was on the corner, with his arms in the air, waiting to share Jesus’ love with anyone not too spooked to walk the other way.

Mary: A couple years ago, I placed a singles ad on Criagslist as a whim and Mary responded. We’ve been friends ever since. She’s a landlady, and she advised me on renting my house. I’m a bachelor and I advised her on dating. She’s now engaged. The reason she qualifies for a Wilson has to do with her heart condition: it is very big and soft. She recently went to great expense to upgrade a rental so that a grandmother could live in it with her family under rent assistance. Mary took a risk for someone in need who appeared to be a worthwhile person. The jury’s out on whether this was a good business decision. But it was a good heart decision. She made a sacrifice to put a roof over someone who needed one.

Innocence: The Innocence Project has uncovered wrongful convictions of hundreds of people who have languished in prison for years, many on death row. In some cases they have not only exonerated those who were wrongly convicted—the program has also uncovered official misconduct. It also has transformed criminal law practices, reducing the likelihood of wrongful convictions in the future. (Hebrews 13:3-- Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place.)

Betty: This is a long-overdue posthumous award for the woman I spent 31 years with. Betty was a Cum Laude graduate in home economics at Penn State University and a Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA), the domestic Peace Corps. Betty started her service in Western Virginia by driving a Ford Fairlane into remote places with names like Lick Skillet Holler to deliver library books. She observed that these people were poor because they were school dropouts. And they were dropouts because they didn’t have good clothing to wear.

So Betty turned grant writer and found a supplier for five Singer sewing machines and she taught those mothers how to make reversible jumpers for their daughters. The photos here are of one mother making clothing, and a whole lot of happy girls in a sort of fashion show they held afterward. There are adults living today who graduated from high school because they had decent clothes to wear. Betty transformed lives. Afterwards she became a school social worker, married me and transformed my life.

1966: In Appalachia, a mother makes a dress for her daughter cheaper than she can buy it and gives the girl a greater incentive to stay in school.

Fashion show: The young women show off the clothing their mothers made for them.

Dancer: This one is named for Ron Bolin, Terry West, Eva Lucero, Patricio Touceda and Rick Gossard, my most frequent dance instructors/DJs. Yes, they do this for money. But they are so much more. Through their work they have given literally thousands of individuals the joy of movement. They have transformed lives by helping people connect with others in energetic and artistic fashion. They have broadened imaginations. They have enabled individuals to self-actualize.  While the One World Futbol gives children the gift of play, these instructors have given the gift of play to adults. There are too many dance instructors to name here, but Dancer honors them all.

Dance instructors: Bolin, Lucero, Touceda, Gossard, West

Roger:  Roger Matthews is my billiards and hiking buddy. It was he who first convinced me to try climbing Mount Adams nearly four years ago when I was in training for a medical tourism trip to Peru. Without compensation, Roger has used his technical knowledge to help many, many individuals and groups with their computer issues. He has made many lives a lot more livable. He also made a donation that covered one tenth of the cost of my time in Peru, where our group ran health clinics, promoted water filters and constructed clean-burning wood stoves that improved the lungs of mothers. (For details: incadiaries.blogspot.com)

Shirley: I met my good friend, Shirley Ganse, through ballroom dance several years ago. You couldn’t ask for a better traveling companion. She used to speak Chinese fluently, is an expert on Chinese porcelain and has been a Smithsonian lecturer. But that’s not why she gets a Wilson. She gets a Wilson because for years she was a Red Cross volunteer, and she was there for people whose world came crashing in on them abruptly. She only mentions it in passing, but for those who received help, her contribution mattered a lot.

Donna: I met Donna Boehm  online some time ago, drawn in by her lovely smile, displayed to the right. She lives in Talent, OR, very close to Ashland, where the world-famous Shakespearean festival has created a vibrant theater community. Donna gets a small stipend for keeping the shows going by managing costumes. She also markets greeting cards made from fabrics left over from the creation of costumes. The image below is an example of a card she made for me. Nice, eh? Thousands of people benefit from her underpaid effort, and she has earned her Wilson.

Velma: Just by chance, Shirley sat next to her on the plane back to Seattle from our Costa Rica jaunt. Velma expressed great interest in Wilson, because of her volunteer work in Haiti. It’s amazing. When you look around, you see all sorts of people who are worth a Wilson award. I’m naming this one for Velma just because. Sorry, no photo available.

Jasvir: And speaking of Haiti, another honoree is Jasvir Kaur Singh, whom I met on my public health tourism trip to Peru. (incadiaries.blogspot.com/) There were two physicians in our group, and one pharmacist – Jasvir. She is a native of the Punjab and a Sikh. When the Haiti earthquake hit, Jasvir took time off work to go there. She created a pharmacy out of the drugs that were flown in to respond to the emergency. If that doesn’t earn someone a Wilson, I don’t know what could.

Satts:  I’ve known Fred and Nancy Satterstrom for more than 40 years. Our children grew up together. A few years ago I donated to some cause in their name, so they decided to get even and  purchased some geese for a third-world country family through Heifer International, in my name. A tradition was born, I think.

RHCP:  This one is named for a long-ago girlfriend. She used those initials because I bought her a glass slider one time that looked like a tiny chile. RHCP couldn’t embrace the concept that a guy who took occasional free cruises as a dance host could be faithful, and so we parted company. At the time I couldn’t understand her lack of confidence in the fidelity of a significant other, but time clarified for me how thoroughly trust can be betrayed. Chile Pepper couldn’t understand why I stayed in touch, but I never forgot what my Betty told me years earlier: Relationships don’t end; they just change. She’s got her man now, but she contacted me several months ago to share with me a difficulty she was having. For some reason I was the one she wanted to tell. What a wonderful—and perhaps courageous--gift of affirmation.

Fred: Fred Fraser is a shirt-tail relative who died recently of ALS—Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was a retired art instructor who probably helped thousands of children find new ways of expression. Fred faced his impending death philosophically, courageously and graciously.

Fran:  Fran Fisher is a life coach I’ve known for years through ballroom dance. She makes her living transforming lives. A couple years ago I purchased a desk for two kids, in her honor. The desk would go to an African school where the youngsters had to sit on the ground in a crowded classroom. Fran reciprocated by purchasing two desks on behalf of two clients. Thanks, Fran.                                                                                    

           .

Bill:  As in the “Bill of Rights” This one is named for Colleen Waterhouse and Pat Fletcher, two ladies who were involved in the Tacoma Chapter of the ACLU, before the ACLU decided it didn’t need a Tacoma chapter. That’s gratitude for you. Anyway, in their own way, they worked to protect the first Ten Amendments to the American Constitution, and by doing so worked to protect all of us. Thanks, ladies.

Pastor Mark:  I lived in Pacific, WA for 35 years. There are probably communities that are more dysfunctional, but Pacific would give them a run for their money. (Public safety director who pretends he’s a police chief; fails lie detector test for threatening with a handgun; loses his license for failure to take a breathalyzer test for drunk driving; tampers with a witness in his son’s negligent driving case; fails to maintain the police department's accreditation; accused of having subordinates watch porn with him on duty; instigates racist polices against Latinos, etc. Who on the council is the crony who’s watching out for this guy, and why?) Mark Gause, who is appropriately wearing a Santa Hat in his photo here, is the pastor of New Hope Lutheran Church in Pacific, which operates a food bank and a pea patch as well as a pre-school. Mark has patiently and steadfastly stood up to that misguided city for its enabling behavior, and worked to protect the disadvantaged. If anyone has earned his Wilson…

Jeanne; Jeanne Fancher, who lives in Pacific, has endeavored to create open communications by recording and publishing meetings of Pacific officials, and distributing notification of those videos to a list of Pacific residents. Given the long history of Pacific’s dysfunctionality, her effort reminds me of Vachel Lindsay’s poem, “The Mouse that Gnawed the Oak Tree Down.” Or maybe the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike. Thank you, Jeanne.

Jay: Those of you who have followed my blogs know Jay Hastings as my childhood friend who is spending his semi-retirement years helping impoverished Cambodian fishing villages build capital. Twice a year, Jay flies to Cambodia to make $250 interest-free loans to the villages, which then loan the money to their residents, retaining the interest from those loans to build capital. I’m thoroughly impressed at what he was able to accomplish. (fisherstonlesap.blogspot.com).

Vianney:   This one is named for Jan Kline and her home-building brigade from  Saint John Vianney Parish in Kirkland. A whole passel of Catholics from that church fly to San Diego once a year to build a house in Tijuana for a disadvantaged family. (See tjposada.blogspot.com for what happened last year). The talent pool has included an architect and a mechanic, so you know the houses are well constructed. A wonderful service by good-hearted people.

Filander: Filander Rodriguez, our Costa Rica guide, spent a few minutes with Wilson and decided he wanted to raise funds to bring the One World Futbol to remote villages in Costa Rica. The country isn’t on the normal distribution route for the futbols, but there’s got to be a way to make it happen. We’re working on it. Filander, if you are reading this, I want you to know I was tempted to leave Wilson with you. I just couldn’t do it—The Indestructible and I have been through so much together. At least you got to autograph him.

Renee:  Renee Walker is a tango dancer, a counselor and a yoga instructor whom I met as a dance cruise photographer. I’ve watched her lay flat on her back, put her hands on the floor above her shoulders, push off and rise to the vertical. Wheh! One afternoon in Juneau, I think it was, she put into words an idea I had been struggling with, whose clarity had escaped me: There is no truth as damaging as any lie. Thanks, Renee. That’s a clarity worth hanging onto. You’ve earned your Wilson.

I know there’s people I should have mentioned and failed to, and I’m sorry for any omissions.
Maybe you readers can fill in the gaps. If you know someone deserving of a Wilson award. It’s not too late to remember them. There’s no procedure in place for One World Futbol Project to notify them that a Wilson has been purchased in their honor. However, you can still buy one at oneworldfutbol.com/campaign/wilson/ and let them know you did so on their behalf. They’ll trust you. Every ball that gets purchased helps an estimated 30 kids.

Note: The campaign section of the Web Site for One World Futbol has been reformatted. The direct home page is now http://www.oneworldplayproject.com/; you go there, select "campaigns" and look for the Wilson site.  The remodel is ongoing, and it will be a while before they again display the chart showing the number of balls purchased in the Wilson campaign, but effective today the number was about 29, and tomorrow the number will be 49 or more, thanks to the folks we celebrate with the Wilson Awards.

So there they are, the 2014 Wilson honorees. Some have done magnificent things, some ordinary. But regardless of the scale of their gift, they all illustrate one simple observation:

In every life, no matter how seemingly insignificant, there are opportunities for endeavor, courage, grace and nobility. And in that, there is majesty.

Have a nice holiday season.
Love,
Robert,
and Wilson.

Hiking Statistics

I had a bit of a wake-up call in Costa Rica last week at the top of the 11,260-foot Irazu volcano. I was light headed, short of breath, and dizzy. I've been at 11,000 feet before in Reno and Peru, but it's been a while, and I need to get back into condition. This will involve many mini urban hikes, and some outings. I'll be returning to this dispatch to log those for the forseeable future. Adding to this dispatch won't change its original date, but it is here where I will be regularly updating my stats so that they are easy to follow at a glance.

My last hike before my European and Central American travel was to Lena Lake on the Olympic Peninsula, on Oct. 12, 2014. I hiked 6 miles, packing 30 pounds, including Wilson. At that time the total accumulated hiking was 67.89 miles and an 18,100-foot elevation gain.

Today I did a simple hike, illustrated in the graphic to the right. I wore my 20-pound vest and walked from the condo to the waterfront and back, a distance of 3 miles and a 300-foot elevation descent and gain. My speed averaged 3 mph. Ironically, I took less time going uphill--I hit fewer traffic lights. The graphic below shows the pace and elevation descent and gain.

My November 9 hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica covered a 3.6 miles and included a 300-foot elevation gain to get to the top of the waterfall and another 300-foot elevation gain to climb up from the base of the waterfall, for a 600-foot total gain that day.

Add those stats to my accumulated total of Oct. 12, and I come up with

Total distance: 74.49 ,miles
Total elevation gain: 19,000 feet.
Only 51,000 feet more to climb to reach my goal of 70,000 feet by July 26, 1915.

Love,
Robert
and Wilson

Nov. 22, 2014
Objective: Pioneer Square, Seattle
Distance: 2.8 miles
Elevation gain: 330 feet, including dips
Accumulation:
19,330 feet total elevation gain to date
Total accumulated distance: 77.29 miles

Nov. 23, 2014
Objective: Alaskan Way Viaduct
Distance: 5.65 miles (two laps)
Elevation gain: 705 feet
Accumulation:
20,080 feet total elevation gained to date
Total accumulated distance: 82.94 miles

Nov. 26, 2014
Objective: Alaskan Way Viaduct
Distance: 3.48 miles
Elevation gain: 372 feet
Accumulation:
20,452 total elevation gained to date
Total acumulated distance: 86.42 miles

Nov. 30, 2014
Objective: Madison Street Terminum at Lake Washington dock
Distance (round trip): 5.39 miles
Time: 1:38
Weight: 20-pound weight vest
Elevation gain: 790 feet
Accumulation:
21,242 feet climbed to date
Total accumulated distance: 92.80 miles

From Condo to Madison's eastern terminus: ups and downs = 790 foot gain overall.

Dec. 1, 2014
Objective: Waterfront
Distance: 3.48 miles
Weight: 20-pound weight vest
Elevation gain: 385 feet
Accumulation:
21,627 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 96.28

Dec 3, 2014
Objective: Bell Harbor Conference Center
Distance: 4.24 miles
Weight: 20-pound weight vest
Elevation gain: 413 feet
Accumulation:
22,040 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 100.52 miles

Dec 5, 2014
Objective: Condo to Lake Washington; on return, side trip for length of Arboretum
Distance: 8.47 miles
Weight: 30 pounds, including 20-pound vest, backpack with Platypus, and Coat.
Elevation gain: 765 feet
Accumulation:
22,805 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 108.99 miles
Seen along the way:

Russian Consulate next to Madison Street

Fungi on Living Tree in Arboretum

Small grove of bare trees along Arboretum path

Dec 7, 2014
Objective: Queen Ann and Mercer Street Intersection
Distance: 6.5 miles
Time: 2:08
Weight: 20-pound weight vest.
Elevation gain: 454 feet
Accumulation:
23,259 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 115.49 miles

Dec 12, 2014
Objective: Byrnie Utz Hats, downtown Seattle
Distance: 3.58 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest
Elevation gain: 235 feet
Accumulation:
23,040 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 112.57 miles

Dec 14, 2014
Two Hikes--Half Marathon
Morning Objective: Madison crest to Alaska Way twice
Distance: 8.23 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest
Elevation gain: 955 feet
Matinee Objective: Condo to Madison Terminus at Lake Washington Dock
Distance: 5.9 miles
Weight: 20-pound vest
Elevation gain: 594 feet
Half Marathon stats:
14.13 miles; 1,549 feet elevation gain
Speed: > 3 mph
Accumulation to date:
24,589 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 126.7 miles

Seen along the way:

Dec. 14: A swimmer takes a refreshing dip, apparently oblivious to Lake Washington's chill.

Dec 17, 2014
Objective: Test new training regimen
Distance: 1.35 miles
Weight:  60 pound pack with water jug
Elevation gain: 195 feet
Accumulation:
24,784 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 113.92 miles
Effects: Tight at hip-quad connection,  backpack needs adjusting,shoulders compensate by being drawn foward when pack discarded.

Dec 18, 2014
Objective: Alaska Way via Bottega Italiana and Pike Place Market
Distance: 4.72 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest
Elevation gain: 542 feet
Accumulation:
25,326 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 118.64 miles
Next milestone: 28,820 feet (2 Rainiers); 3,494 feet to go.

Dec 20, 2014
Objective: Rattlesnake Ledge, North Bend, WA
Weather: drizzle
Distance: 4 miles
(Using Washington Trails Association figures)
Weight:  20-pound vest, 20 pound pack
Elevation gain: 1160 feet (WTA figures)
Accumulation:
26,486 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 122.64 miles
Next milestone: 28,820 feet (2 Rainiers); 2,334 feet to go.
Below: Photo of Mt. Si, on opposite side of I-90 from Rattlesnake ledge.

all times I have enjoyed 
Greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those 
That loved me, and alone; on shore, and when 
Through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades 
Vexed the dim sea.

--Tennyson 

Dec 23, 2014
Objective: Meandering to Highway 99 Blues Club and back
Distance: 5.41 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest
Elevation gain: 352 feet
Accumulation:
26,838 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 128.05 miles
Next milestone: 28,820 feet (2 Rainiers); 1,982 feet to go.

Dec 26, 2014
Objective: Alaskan Way via the Lost Pelican Restaurant
Distance: 4.76 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest & 30-pound pack, including water bags; total: 50 pounds
Elevation gain: 417 feet
Accumulation:
27,255 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 132.81 miles
Next milestone: 28,820 feet (2 Rainiers); 1,565 feet to go.

Dec 27, 2014
Objective: Madison terminus on Lake Washington
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 3.2 hours
Pace: 2.7 mph
Weight:  20-pound vest & 30-pound pack, including water bags; total: 50 pounds
Elevation gain: 709  feet
Accumulation:
27,934 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 139.01 miles
Next milestone: 28,820 feet (2 Rainiers); 886 feet to go.

Seen along the way:

I took a detour to Mercer Street to see this house that my Daughter-in-law helped build. Nice!

Dec 30, 2014
Objective: Poo Poo Point on Tiger Mountain, Issaquah, via the Chirico Trail
Distance: 3.89 miles
Time: 4 hours
Pace: 1 mph (approximately)
Weight:  55 pounds, with 20-pound vest & 35-pound pack, including water bags.
Elevation gain: 1760 feet (Washington Trails Association figure)
Accumulation:
29,694 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 142.9 miles
Milestone: Second "Rainier" has been climbed.

Jan 3, 2015
Objective:Verizon store on 4th Avenue
Distance:2.46 miles
Weight:  50 pounds, with 20-pound vest & 30-pound pack, including water bags.
Elevation gain: 187 feet
Accumulation:
29,881 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 145.36 miles

Jan 8, 2015
Objective:Lake Washington Morning Hike
Distance:5.47 miles
Weight:  60 pounds, with 20-pound vest & 40-pound pack, including water bags.
Elevation gain: 732 feet
Accumulation:
30,613 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 150.83 miles

Jan 10, 2015
Objective: Edgewater Hotel, Seattle Art Museum, Edgewater, return to condo
Distance:6.3 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest
Elevation gain: at least 450 feet
Accumulation:
31,063 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 157.13 miles

Jan 12, 2015
Objective: REI to purchase backpack dufflebag for air flight
Distance:2.63 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest; 20-pound backpack
Elevation gain:189 feet
Accumulation:
31,252 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 159.73 miles

Jan 14, 2015
Objective: Mt. Si
Distance 4.19 miles
Weight:  20-pound vest; 25-pound backpack
Elevation gain:1,506 feet
Accumulation:
32,758 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 163.92 miles
Note: First 1.5 mile included 10 additional pounds of water; hike curtailed at 2 mile mark,summit not achieved.

Jan 17, 2015
Objective: Mt. Si
Hiking companion: Sue Butkus
Distance 4.21 miles
Weight:  35-pound backpack, including water bladder.
Elevation gain:1,535 feet
Accumulation:
34,293 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 168.13 miles
Note: 10# of water dumped at zenith. Hike curtailed at 2 mile mark due to inclement weather. 38% of way to third Rainier.

Wilson and Robert at the landmark switchback at about the 2-mile point on the hike.

The 5-gallon collapsible water jug that adds weight in the backpack. One gallon = 8 pounds.

Jan 27, 2015
Objective:Sliding Sands Trail
Hiking companion: Wilson
Distance 11.2 miles
Weight:  30-pound backpack, including water bladder.
Elevation gain: descend 2,400 feet from Haleakala Visitor Center at 9740 feet and return.
Time: 8 hours
Accumulation:
37,193 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 179.33 miles

Feb 6, 2015
Objective: Mt. Si Haystack Basin
Hiking companion: Wilson
Distance 6.53 miles
Weight:  20-plus pound backpack.
Elevation gain: 2,938 feet, minimum
Time: 6 hours
Accumulation:
40,131 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 185.86 miles
Note: Constant rain, temp in the 50s, water penetrated backpack and wet contents.

Feb 14, 2015
Objective: See's Candies, Alaskan Way, Crest of Capitol Hill
Distance 4.58 miles
Weight:  20-plus pound backpack.
Elevation gain: 417 feet
Accumulation:
40,548 feet climbed to date
Total distance: 190.44 miles
Note:2,679 elevation gain to third Rainier

Feb 15, 2015
Objective: Mount Si.
Hiking companion: Wilson
Distance 7.28 miles
Weight: 35 pounds ( 20-pound weight vest, 15 pound backpack.)
Elevation gain: 2,932 feet claimed (Map My Hike Stats very, so I used the higher starting elevation
Accumulation:
43,480 climbed to date. (3 Rainiers = 43,227.)
Total distance: 197.72 miles
NOTE: Third Rainier achieved. Figures subject to dispute due to small inaccuracies in GPS data yielded by Map My Hike app. This hike involved 15 more pounds than Feb 6 Mount Si hike. Knees not hurting. Quads showed less stress. But left shoulder has a very tight muscle due to fit of day pack that is smaller than my customary backpack. Hike started at 8:45 a.m. Three hours to destination (First main vista point at Haystack Basin.) Back to parking lot at 3:15. Allowing for one-hour at peak for lunch and exploration, hike was 5.5 hours. Speed up: 1.3 mph; speed down: 2.6 mph. Alternate hiking speed limit seems to be 244 heartbeats per minute (bpm). Need to purchase garments that breath better. Wet with sweat.

Feb 17, 2015
Objective: Alaska Way via Capitol Hill Post Office, Westlake Mall, Pike Place Market and back via Madison street.
Distance at least 3 miles
Weight: 20-pound weight vest
Elevation gain: at least 300 feet
43,780 climbed to date. (3 Rainiers = 43,227.)
Total distance: 200.72 miles
This is a "no measure" hike which understates elevation and distance and clearly exceeds the claim of the hike. Purpose of the hike is to maintain tone and stamina and guarantee integrity of statistics by understating distance and elevations.

Feb 18, 2015
Objective: Western Avenue below Pike Place Market; back up to market, then down to ferry.
Distance at least 3 miles round trip ending at condo.
Weight: 20-pound weight vest
Elevation gain: at least 400 feet.
44,180 climbed to date. (3 Rainiers = 43,227.)
Total distance: 203.72 miles

Feb 20, 2015
Objective: Volunteer Park Water Tower
Distance:  2.67 miles
Weight: 35 pounds. 20-pound weight vest & 15 pounds of pack and garments
Elevation gain: 124 feet.
44,304 climbed to date. (3 Rainiers = 43,227.)
Total distance: 206.39 miles
Note: This was "toning" hike. Field tested different small pack for comfort and capacity.

Feb 21, 2015
Objective: Little Si
Distance:  4 miles
Weight: 35 pounds. 20-pound weight vest & 15 pounds of backpack
Elevation gain:1,300 feet.
45,604 climbed to date. (3 Rainiers = 43,227.)
Total distance: 210.39 miles
Note: I'm going with Washington Trails Association altitude gain stats here, because my MapMyHike software is giving some unreliable figures. It also lists distance hiked at 4 miles, while WTA says the actual distance is 4.7. I'll go with the more conservative distance figures. MapMyHike is a nice program, but it has its shortcomings. I'll try to claim figures that are conservative and reliable as I continue this quest.


Feb 24, 2015
Objective:Lake 22, Granite Falls WA
Distance:  5.4 miles
Weight: 45 pounds. 20-pound weight vest & 25 pounds of backpack
Elevation gain:1,500 feet.
47,104 climbed to date. (3 Rainiers = 43,227.)
Total distance: 215.79 miles
Note: Statistics for this hike based on official data on kiosk at trail head.

Wilson rests in the hollow of an old tree along the Lake 22 trail.

Feb 27, 2015
Objective:Rattlesnake Ledge @ North Bend
Distance:  4 miles including parking lot trek
Weight: 45 pounds. 20-pound weight vest & 25 pounds of backpack
Elevation gain:1,160 feet (Washington Trails Assn.)
48,264 climbed to date. (3 Rainiers = 43,227.)
Total distance: 219.79 miles
Note: MapMyHike data for length seemed accurate, but elevations were well off the mark.
Note: Height of Mt. Everest is 29,029 feet. When I have done five Rainiers, I will have done more than two Everests.

Wilson and Robert at Rattlesnake Ledge, North Bend WA on this date. Photo by Arlene Levy.

Feb 28, 2015: Half Marathon+
Objective Half marathon via four urban hikes
1. Madison Street: Radio towers to Alaska Way twice.
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 994 feet
2. Fedex station to retrieve 10 futbols
Distance: 2.2 miles
Elevation gain: 123 feet
3. Madison Street: Radio towers to Alaska Way
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation gain: 463 feet
Packing: 20-pound weight vest
4. Dinner invitation
Distance: 3.4 miles
Elevation gain: 311 feet
Packing: 10-pound back pack
Accumulations for the day: 1,891 feet elevation gain; 15 miles
Total accumulation to date:
50,155feet  altitude gain
234.79 miles hiked

March 2, 2015: Half Marathon +
Objective: Marathon route five times: Loop from Capitol Hill radio towers to Alaskan Way.
Distance: 15 miles
Weight: Nominal
Elevation gain: 2,045 feet
Accumulations to date:
52,200 feet gained
219.79 miles hiked
Time: Roughly 5-5.5 hours, starting at 3 p.m. and ending about 8:45 p.m.

March 3, 2015
Objective: Light shopping hike to Westlake Center and Seattle Library
Distance: 3.4 miles
Weight: 20-pound vest
Elevation gain: 188 feet
Accumulations to date:
52,399 feet gained
223.19 miles hiked

March 9, 2015
Objective: Rattlesnake Ledge marathon shakedown with 9 balls
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet
Accumulations to date:
53,399 feet gained
227.19 miles hiked

March 9, 2015
Objective: Mount Washington overlooking Seattle watershed.
Distance: 8.25 miles
Weight: 45 pounds--20-pound weight vest and 25-pound backpack.
Highest point: 4,450 feet
Elevation gain: 3,250 feet (Washington Trails Assn)
Accumulations to date:
56,649 feet gained
235.44 miles hiked
Photos follow:

Hiking companions: Arlene Levy & Tassi

Arboreal receiving line near summit.

Seattle watershed

Robert & Wilson at small stream

March 17, 2015
Objective: Madison Street Marathon, a 27-mile hike and 9 ascents of Capitol Hill
Distance: 27 miles
Weight: A small backpack with water bag and nine One World Futbols, about 5-6 pounds.
Elevation gain: About 2,430 feet
Accumulations to date:
59,079 feet gained
262.44 miles hiked
Rainier is 14,409 feet above sea level. We have climbed our fourth Rainier
Everest is 29,029 feet. We have climbed our second Everest.

May 10, 2015
Objective: Shopping on 3rd Avenue for a computer mouse to replace one worn out in Mexico.
This was the first city hike after travel to Ecuador and Mexico, and the beginning of the final training regimen in preparation of climbing Mount Adams.
Statistics: Not available due to program malfunction. Distance estimated at 1.5-2 miles.
Weight: 20-pound weight vest.

May 12, 2015
Objective: Rattlesnake Ledge
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 1,160 feet (Washington Trails Association
Weight: 25 pound back pack
Notes: Leisurely hike; little stress, but right knee feels like a tendon is being tested.
Accumulations to date:
60,231 feet
266.44 miles hiked
Less than 9,000 feet to fifth Rainier.

There was a heavy overcast at the top.

May 14, 2015

Objective: Mt. Si Summit Ridge
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation gain: at least 3,000 feet (varies by source)
Weight: 30 pound back pack and wraps
Notes: Slow, but not overly strenuous hike. 7-hours plus
Accumulation to date:
63,231 feet
274.44 miles hiked
Less than 6,000 feet to fifth Rainier.

May 16, 2015
Objective: Library by way of Alaskan Way and Madison crest of Capitol Hill
Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation gain: 400 feet (conservative figure)
Weight: 20-pound weight vest
Notes: Leisurely hike; little stress, but right knee feels like a tendon is being tested.
Accumulations to date:
63,631 feet
270.44 miles hiked
Less than 8,600 feet to fifth Rainier.

May 17, 2015
Objective:Target by way of Alaskan Way and Madison crest of Capitol Hill
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation gain: 400 feet (conservative figure)
Weight: 45 pounds, counting back pack and weight vest; Traveling weight: 250
Notes: Legs felt better, short of breath coming up Seneca, but heartrate only 120!
Accumulations to date:
64,031 feet
274.94 miles hiked
Less than 8,200 feet to fifth Rainier.

Wilson rests on backpack at Little Si overlook, with Rattlesnake Ledge in the distance.

May 18, 2015
Objective: Little Si
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 1,300 feet (Washington Trails Assn.)
Weight: 25 pounds in back pack.
Note: Day is warm. Had to take off garments during ascent.
Accumulations to date:
65,531 feet elevation gain
278.94 miles hiked
Less than 6,600 feet elevation gain for  fifth Rainier.

May 22, 2015
Objective: Rattlesnake Ridge
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 1,160 feet (Washington Trails Assn.)
Weight: 25 pounds in back pack.
Note: Misty day got warmer and clearer as the day went on
Accumulations to date:
66,691 feet elevation gain
282.94 miles hiked
Less than 4,00 feet elevation gain for  fifth Rainier.

Arlene Levy, Wilson, Robert and Jara Popelkova at the terminus of the Mount Si ascent trail.

May 26, 2015
Objective: Mt. Si
Distance: 8 miles
Round Trip Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Elevation gain: 3,150 feet (Washington Trails Assn.)
Weight: 25 pounds in back pack.
Note: Misty day got warmer and clearer as the day went on
Accumulations to date:
69,841 feet elevation gain
290.94 miles hiked
Less than 160 feet elevation gain for  70,000-foot mark.

May 28, 2015
Objective: Teneriffe Falls
Distance: 6 miles
Round Trip Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Elevation gain: 1,420 feet (Washington Trails Assn.)
Weight: 20 pounds in back pack.
Note: Hot day, steep trail, some danger of twisting ankle. One hiker dislodged a rock that almost struck my hiking companion, Nancy Zwicker. Nancy's dog caught and killed a young rabbit. At the falls the banks was steep and dangerous, with loose rocks in the soil.
Accumulations to date:
71,261 feet elevation gain
296.94 miles hiked
Less than 800 feet to the Fifth Rainier.

Ratthesnake Ledge on a sunnier day.

June 2, 2015
Objective: Rattlesnake Ledge
Distance: 4 miles
Round Trip Time: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 1,160 feet (Washington Trails Assn.)
Weight: 40 pounds in back pack.
Note: Roughly 65 minutes to top--very good time, considering the pack; overcast with itnermittent light rain. Reached the top with only a smoothy for breakfast. Hiked solo.
Accumulations to date:
72,421 feet elevation gain
300.94 miles hiked
376 feet past fifth Rainier!

June 7, 2015
Objective: Rattlesnake Ledge
Distance: 4.95 miles
Time: 90 minutes to the top
Elevation gain: 1,160 feet (Washington Trails Assn.)
Weight: 20 pounds in back pack.
Note: Hiked with Ann Anagnost, who kept a steady pace. Sunny day. Lots of hikers and we had to park on the road about a quarter mile from the nearest parking lot. Reached the top with only a smoothy for breakfast.
Accumulations to date:
73,581 feet elevation gain
305.89 miles hiked
1,536 feet past fifth Rainier!

June 11-12, 2015
Objectives: Little Si, June 11; Rattlesnake Ledge June 12
Little Si: 4 miles, 1,100 feet. (Washington Trails Assn. figures seem too great)
Rattlesnake Ledge: 4 miles, 1,100 feet.
Weight: 30 pounds in back pack and weight vest.
Note: Hiked with Ann Anagnost; her daughter, Catherine; and Roger Matthews
Accumulations to date:
75,781 feet elevation gain
313.89 miles hiked

June 16, 2015
Objective: Wallace Falls near Gold Bar, WA
Distance:  At least 5 miles in 5 hours and 40 minutes, and 1,200 feet
Weight: 47 pounds in back pack and weight vest.
Note: Hiked with Mary Jane Gibson; made GoPro Movies; took time for photography and enjoying the forest. Ate salmon berries.
Accumulations to date:
76,981 feet elevation gain
318.89 miles hiked

une 12, 2015
Objective: Mount Si
Distance:  At least 7 miles, 3,100-foot gain
Weight: 35 pounds in back pack and weight vest.
Note: Hiked with Valerie Vessey; made GoPro Movies. Left knee got sore on descent
Accumulations to date:
80,081 feet elevation gain
325.89 miles hiked

Screen Capture from GoPro movie taken at Mount Si view ridge

August 13, 2015
Objective: Lake Washington
Distance:  About 5 miles
Weight: 25 pounds in shoes, gear and weight vest.
Note: Just a reconditioning hike, since I haven't done much since Mount Adams.

August 18, 2015
Objective: Heather Lake Trail near Granite Falls
Distance:  About 5+ miles, including trip around the lake
Weight: Backpack, shoes, water, food; light load.
Elevation gain: 1,034 feet to elevation of 2,430 feet
Note: Gentle, five-hour hike with Mary Jane Gibson, with lots of photos; mild toning hike.

August 27, 2015
Objective: Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Serene, near Index WA
Distance:  About 5+ miles; hiked to falls, backtracked and hiked for 30 minutes toward Lake Serene
Weight: 20-pound weight vest, 23-pound backpack for total 33 pounds
Elevation gain: Probably 1,000 feet

September 16, 2015
Objective: Target store on 2nd Avenue, Seattle
Distance:  About 2.8 round triP
Weight: 20-pound weight vest
Elevation gain: 300+ feet
Note: Gentle hike just to pick up a video at library and buy some sweat bands.

September 22, 2015
Objective: Poo Poo Point
Distance:  About 3.92 miles
Weight: 20-pound weight vest; 10-pound backpack
Elevation gain: at least 1,620 feet feet
Note: With Mary Jane; hike was done to get back into shape. Watched hang gliders. Felt familiar twinge in left calf muscle when hiking. Had to take several rests due to fatigue.