“You have the same shoes!” the 7-year-old kid shouted from the top of the monkey bars.
The little boy was referring to the ‘mommy and me’ KEENs Sage and I were sporting at the park last weekend. Normally I roll my eyes at matching sweat suits and dainty dresses in the same print; plus, kids’ products are often disposable and my stuff needs to last beyond a year. But when it comes to KEEN sandals they are Grade-A certified and mom-tested…literally. Why should Sage have all the cute shoes?
The Whisper is our absolute go-to fave for cruising theme parks to National Parks. They stay comfortable and hotspot free when you’re on your feet from rope-drop to fireworks.
Three days in a row at Disneyland Paris with nary a blister or sore arch for either of us is the true sign of a summer-worthy shoe or sandal. Or dare I say “shandal”?
Sage lives in hers. The secure-fit lace capture system makes for quick on and off and because they are meant for water play they’re wearable even in those unexpected rain storms or waterlog rides without feeling the heavy squish of wet sneakers.
The washable polyester webbing won’t rub whether you’re hiking, rowing or sightseeing and the non-marking rubber outsole make them the perfect gym shoe when May rolls around.
The only downside is that the foot-cushioning EVA molded footbed can make the Whisper a little sweaty on super hot days but they are quick to dry. The bottomline? KEENs last, they’re practical, comfortable and fun to share with your kids. $35-71. Check them out here.
Five years ago, Anne Lorimor of Paradise Valley, Arizona climbed Kilimanjaro to become the oldest woman to summit at age 85.
However, that record was overtaken just a few months later by Russian Angela Vorobeva who climbed the mountaint at age 86.
Then in 2017, the world record for the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro was broken by Dr. Fred Distelhorst, who was 88 years old.
Not to be outdone, on the morning of July 18, 2019, Lorimor re-claimed her title as the oldest woman and also became the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro by successfully reaching Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Anne Lorimor celebrating with a congratulatory cake. Photo courtesy Greg Homer
Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and also the tallest free standing mountain in the world. The mountain stands 19,341 feet above sea level.
Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require technical mountaineering skills, but does require excellent physical fitness and mental strength. People who are successful in reaching the top must be conditioned to hike on steep terrain and in inclement weather for extended periods of time.
There are several established routes which typically require between five and nine days round trip. Lorimor climbed Kilimanjaro on the remote and beautiful Rongai route, which her guide service Ultimate Kilimanjaro describes as a “moderately difficult route” in “true wilderness.”
The biggest obstacle when climbing Kilimanjaro is the extreme altitude. At high elevation, there is less oxygen in the atmosphere which can lead to altitude sickness if the body fails to adapt. Serious cases of altitude sickness can be fatal.
Due to this, many safety precautions were put in place to prevent, detect and treat altitude sickness. Lorimor’s guides, who are certified Wilderness First Responders, carried bottled oxygen and a portable stretcher in case of emergency.
Lorimor’s record-setting feat did not come without its challenges.
“There was a point when I really was concerned because I fell before I started up the mountain,” said Lorimor. “I had great pain in my side, and I couldn’t take deep breaths.”
The mountain crew conducted daily health evaluations which included measuring heart rate and oxygen saturation levels to ensure Lorimor was strong and healthy. She passed with flying colors each day until they neared the summit.
Elibahati Mamuya, lead guide for Ultimate Kilimanjaro, recounted the situation. “She was quite strong on the climb. But at one point she had lower rib pain and was breathing heavily,” Mamuya said. “We were watching carefully.”
However, after taking some rest Lorimor felt better and her breathing improved. Her grit and determination got her to the top.
The final leg of the climb was an arduous 5,000 ft. elevation gain that took her 12 long hours to complete. Lorimor’s positive, can-do attitude was noticed by everyone around her.
Mamuya said, “Anne knew from the very first day that she would make it to the summit. She is a very special person and it made me happy to be with her on her journey. I was very impressed.”
Lorimor explained in a 2015 interview that she had been climbing since she was around seven years old. “I grew up in the mountains of northern New Mexico and everywhere I have been I have climbed whenever there has been mountains to climb.” For Kilimanjaro, Lorimor designed a year-long personal training program in northern Arizona that included climbing one of her favorite mountains of which is Mummy Mountain (11,533 feet).
Lorimor hopes that her achievement will help to inspire others. Her personal mission is to give back to underserved children and youth.
As a child, Lorimor grew up very poor during the Great Depression. Her and her nine siblings were homeless for a time and lived in a tent. She was able to attend boarding school because a generous teacher saw potential in her and paid her tuition.
With the intent of paying it forward, Lorimor created a non-profit organization called Creating Exciting Futures (https://www.creatingexcitingfutures.org) to empower and benefit at-risk youth.
“I show kids their options and give them the tools to grow and lead productive lives,” she said.
Walls aren’t for isolation. They are structures that invite people to gather and commune. The wall is a place for the climbing community to come together to test themselves, build trust, and strengthen bonds.
The North Face created a global brand program in 2018 called “Walls Are Meant for Climbing,” and it’s back August 24, 2019. The program aims to counter the divisions we’re witnessing globally by inviting people to find trust in community.
Building on the success of the last year, TNF has partnered with dozens of climbing gyms and facilities worldwide to celebrate Global Climbing Day (August 24, 2019) and will be offering free climbing opportunities in cities in the U.S., China, Canada, Europe, Nepal, Australia, Peru, Guatemala and more. The plan is to donate $1 for every person who climbs at one of the more than 150 participating gyms on August 24th- up to $100,000. Funds will go to Khumbu Climbing Center.
In the U.S. , TNF partnered with the Trust for Public Land to support the installation of public climbing walls in more communities, with a focus on underserved areas and making the sport more accessible to all. For example, the Montbello Open Space Park, near Denver. The 4.5 acre green park serves 40,000+ low-to moderate-income youth and families from the area. More public climbing boulders will be coming soon.
To celebrate the connections we make while climbing, The North Face is also releasing a limited series of “Walls are Meant for Climbing” products with designs in multiple languages to reflect the diverse communities participating in Global Climbing Day across the globe.
For more information on “Walls Are Meant for Climbing” and Global Climbing Day location events, visit thenorthface.com/walls.
Winterland honors the mountain towns that cultivated legends and forged a path for us to follow. Join Nick McNutt, Tim Durtschi, Griffin Post, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Ian McIntosh, Sam Smoothy, Angel Collinson, John Collinson, Todd Ligare, Colter Hinchliffe, Fabian Lentsch, Christina Lustenberger, Kai Jones, Elyse Saugstad, Hadley Hammer, Jeremy Jones, Sean Jordan, Clayton Vila, Cam Riley, Cody Townsend, Robin Van Gyn, Mark Carter, and Nicky Keefer as they make their own mark on these fabled locations.
There’s a stout little place called Ross Park in Idaho you climbers should know about. Sure, when people mention Pocatello it often conjures thoughts of some poh-dunk, hick town where residents eat potatoes, chew tobacco, ridicule non-white people and carry shotguns in their trucks. Well, Pa, it just ain’t true; except for the gun part. But this is the West.
Within Southeastern Idaho’s largest city is a top-rated university (ISU). A booming high-tech industry, hot springs, several clean, pet-friendly hotels and the West’s largest outdoor climbing gym, er, park have sprouted around it.
History of Ross Park
Ross Park, appropriately named after a pioneering mayor of Pocatello who later became Governor of Idaho, is the focal point of the city’s entire 34 Parks and Rec system. Ancient lava ledges of multi-faceted basalt separate the upper and lower green parks (Shady Side and Sunny Side) and make for ideal sport climbs.
The walls offer what is arguably the best outdoor bouldering and top roping within 50 paces of any city street. Drive up and park right in front of the crag. Walk across a sidewalk-sized patch of grass and meet the Shady Side- over 60 boulder problems of every degree of difficulty. A quick walk up a grassy knoll on the East end puts you right on top of that wall. Drop a rope from any one of 30 anchors for your toprope pleasure. The “Sunny Side” of Ross offers 60+ relatively-short (40’) traditional gear and bolted sport leads, but you can walk or drive up to the top of Sunny Side and throw down a toprope if you prefer.
Idaho State University Loves Climbing
The ISU Outdoor program began bolting the Sunny Side climbs in the late 90s. They started with the more difficult routes first; working their way towards bolting the easier ones over the following seasons so you can find lead routes for all levels.
Photo by Ryan Freitas
ISU has practically taken ownership of Ross Park. They run climbing programs, offer free downloads of the most comprehensive climbing and bouldering guides to the area written by their instructors and host one of the oldest and most entertaining climbing competitions in the Northwest, The Pocatello Pump.
When you tire of climbing, hang out with the native animals of Idaho at the Pocatello Zoo, located inside Ross Park. The park also features the Bannock County Historical Museum, the Fort Hall Replica detailing life as it was during the early pioneer days. Want more climbing? Drive less than an hour north to Massacre Rocks State Park. You’ll find another 500+ climbs.
Ross Park Specifics
Pocatello is 150 miles north of Salt Lake City, Utah, at the intersection of Highways I-15 and I-86. The climate stays sunny and dry almost year-round. Ross Park is at the south end of Pocatello at I-15 & 5th Ave (Exit 67). Go N on 5th. Turn L on Fredregill. Turn L on 2nd, continuing to the rocks on L. Contact the Pocatello Convention and Visitors Bureau, 208.233.7333. The Pocatello Pump occurs in September-208.236.3912.
