Nearly 40,000 people descended on the National Mall to participate in the 22nd  running of the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® in Washington, D.C. Today’s event  raised more than $5 million to fund breast cancer programs for women in need  throughout the National Capital Area and across the globe.

Well Folks, the day after tomorrow we start up Mt. Rainier for the MS 2010 Climb. And you bet…it’s a scary feeling. I mean, can we  really do it? Certainly the weather forecast is looking good. Certainly we’ve  trained a lot. Certainly everyone has taken on their fears and conquered them  before. But there’s a very wild wildcard in the mix. The wildcard is that the  effects of altitude are
different for everyone. And who knows if when we get up  there I’ll start seeing UFO’s or think right is left. Mt. Rainier isn’t really  that high (14,411ft), but it’s still higher than I’ve ever been. So we’ll  see. 

On a more positive note, George Dunn (the lead IMG  Microsoft hired) gave us news this week that when we hit the peak on Saturday  morning, that will be his 500th ascent of Mt. Rainier. And to  celebrate, he’s invited some other seasoned climbers, such as Phil and Sue  Erschler, to join us on our climb! Phil and Sue are a local Seattle  couple, the first couple in history to summit the fabled “7 summits”. (Everest, Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali/McKinley,  and the Vinson Massif ). So all  around, it’s looking like it’s going to be a momentous climb for all of us - the  newbies and the pros! 
  
And for a final mention regarding why Microsoft  organized this event: WNPF. The Foundation is thrilled that so many signed up to  support them and that we’ve already found so much support from friends and  family, even workmates and strangers. Obviously people enjoy the national parks  here in Washington, and want to help keep them beautiful and accessible! So far  through my site, www.firstgiving.com/markgonealpine, people have contributed $2835 of the $3500 goal, which is stunning. You know who  you are, where you came from, and that YOU ROCK!! I thank you, Microsoft thanks  you, WNPF thanks you, and if Mt. Rainier could say thanks out loud, who knows if  we’d know it. J