Archive for the ‘Denali’ Category

Win a Trip to One of America’s Most Popular National Parks

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
In celebration of Ken Burns’s landmark documentary, “America’s Best Idea: The National Parks,” airing on PBS throughout February, the National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations are giving you a chance to explore your land – with a free trip to one of America’s most popular national parks.

Participating is easy – just share with the world one, or all, of your favorite spots in America’s national parks. Anytime during the month of February, visit the NPF website to explore America’s national parks online, and then mark your spot by sharing your favorite moments, stories and experiences. Individuals that add their spot to at least one park will be entered to win a three night trip for two, including lodging and airfare, to their choice of the following destinations located in, or within close proximity, to some of America’s most beloved parks:

* Shenandoah National Park
* Mesa Verde National Park
* Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
* Denali National Park
* Glacier Bay National Park
* Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park
* Olympic National Park

The grand prize winner will also receive a $300 resort credit to use towards meals and/or activities (cannot be used towards lodging, retail, fuel, or any non-ARAMARK managed operations), and an official “America’s Best Idea” book signed by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan. In addition, twenty runner-up winners will receive an “America’s Best Idea” poster signed by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, and a limited edition National Park Foundation “America’s Best Idea” t-shirt.

Individuals can add one new spot to the NPF website each day to increase their chances of winning. The National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations will announce the winners in March. For more information and complete contest rules, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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17-year-old becomes youngest to conquer 7 Summits

Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Johnny Collinson, a high school senior from Utah, just became the youngest person to climb the seven summits - the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.

The 17-year-old from Snowbird made it to the top of Antarctica's 16,076-foot Vinson Massif this past Monday, officially making him the youngest person to successfully climb the seven summits - and doing it all in just one year!

Collinson's goal was to top them all in 365 days. The final feat was completed just hours before that deadline.

Collinson began his mountaineering career with a summit of Mt. Rainier at age four.

His quest for the seven summits began in January 2009 with a summit of Argentina's Aconcagua.

Collinson teamed up with Mountain Madness, a Seattle-based adventure company, to help guide him to the top. From their high camp, the team had an eleven-hour round trip push to the summit of Vinson. They encountered sub-zero temperatures, icy slopes, and high winds, but Collinson was undeterred from skiing off the summit and back down to high camp.

Collinson is quoted through Mountain Madness as saying: "…climbing to the top of the 7 Summits seems like it would be the greatest physical feat I could accomplish. Like anyone my age, it's easy to become lost in the world of electronic distractions. I want to live life instead of watching it on TV."

Amen, brother....

Here are the dates of each of his summits:

* January 18, 2010; Vinson Massif
* August 20, 2009; Carstenz
* July 21, 2009; Kilimanjaro
* July 8, 2009; Elbrus
* June 26, 2009; Denali
* May 19, 2009; Everest
* January 19, 2009; Aconcagua

Please click here to visit Collison's website.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.