Oreo Dave & the Tanzanian Mountain Goddess

Welcome, Oreo Dave & the Tanzanian Mountain Goddess:

Name: Dave and Nitsa
Nickname: Oreo Dave and the Tanzanian Mountain Goddess

Age: I remember $0.27 a gallon gas.
Experience / Accomplishments:
All fifty high peaks in the Adirondacks, Washington, McKinley, Adams, Marcy, Shasta, Long's Peak and Kilimanjaro. Actually thought about climbing them but bought a minivan instead. We have conquered Pinney Hill, Horsebarn Hill, Mountain Dairy, and a really high toddler slide at Center elementary.
Role on Team: Vicariant, Substitutionary Empathic Alpinist with a bad altitude.
Goals: To decimate cookie-thieving rodent populations in the Rockies and return with a bit of cartilage and an intact aorta.

Pictures:

Bense and Rufus

Name: Jim and Ruth Benson
Nickname: Bense and Rufus
Age: 59 and classified

Experience / Accomplishments:
Bense – Long’s Peak 1973/74(?) and Grand Canyon (reverse mountain!)
Rufus – Slide Mountain, NY, Blue Hill, Maine. and both sides of the Delaware Water Gap (yeah baby).

Please note, though, that both of us scale Mount Sunny View Drive up to Hillside Avenue for our morning 2 mile walk. (25 foot elevation)
Role on Team:

Bense will serve as medic, sharing Ibuprofin and Aspirin. Can also serve as complainer depending on conditions.

Rufus (“There is no way I am doing that”) will serve as communications expert – calling daughters on cell phone to update them on expedition exploits.

Goals: To avoid permanent injury and humiliation.

6/10/09: Welcome Kitty & Matt to the Team

Kitty (Barb Walton, sister of assault leader)

Matt (Pete Walton)

Shown here in a more recent photo.

Age: Pre-dirt (THE Oldest…Pete, that is)
Experience includes High Altitude Training from 1995-2000
(Lived at 6300 feet)

Accomplishments:
Drove up Pike’s Peak…twice


Herman's Gulch-did it twice........ 10,000 ft + beautiful wildflowers and five mile hike

Hanging Lake: http://www.localhikes.com/hikes/HangingLake_0000.asp

Many hikes in Rocky Mountain State Park

Role on Team:
Matt – Hiker/Videographer
Kitty – Tour guide; wildflower gatherer…NO COOK!

Goal :
Survive the week (See below)

Kitty’s last hiking experience-->

Welcome to the team, Kitty & Matt

Team Members: Alias Smith & Smith

Welcome 2 new Assault Team members:

Bob & Ginny Smith

AKA: Smith & Smith, shown here in traditional Ohioan 'formal' hiking attire. You know, they don't look as though they've aged a bit.

Ages: Younger than leader…Bob 58…Ginny N/A

Experience: Numerous hikes in the flatlands of Ohio and Five River MetroParks. (Note: Doesn't Count)
July 07—Hiked to Chasm Lake beneath Long’s Peak. (This is better)
August 08—Hiked 12 mile Mineral Belt Trail around Leadville CO, 9900-10600 elevation.
August 08—Hiked up Mt. Elbert, 12 mile round trip, 9600-14433 elevation. (now we're talking!)

Photos from Mt. Elbert

Position on team: Hikers

Goals: Hike two more 14ers in July 09.

Note: Comments added by commentator

Cindy Belle

The better half of this team.

On the trail to Mt Elbert:

Mt Sherman 1979

Cindy shown here holding up Uncle Charlie after carrying him to the top of Mt. Sherman.

Showing no fear of a bit of 'exposure':

Assault Team being assembled

The assault team is being formed. Applications are being accepted, candidates are being interviewed and vetted for a total of thirteen (13) available slots on the team.
Here is a list of the approved members to date:

Name: Uncle Charlie (Jessie's Dad)

Age: Older than the Hills
Background:
Born on a mountain top in New Jersey, the Garden State in the land of the free.
Raised in the woods so's he knew ev'ry tree, summited Pike's Peak when he was only six .
Uncle Charlie (Jessie's Dad), king of the wild frontier

Hiked single-handed through many a stream, till the enemy was whipped and pizza was in the store.
And while he was handlin' this risky chore, he played soccer forever more
Uncle Charlie (Jessie's Dad), the man who knew no fear.


He went off to College and learned to spell, touring the States and Europe as well
Settled in Blairstown, so I heard tell, and he hitched-up to sweet Cindy Belle.
Uncle Charlie (Jessie's Dad), seeing his duty clear.

Now he's home, his soccering is done, and the western march is just begun.So he's packin' his gear for some Colorado fun, and heading out a-grinnin' to follow the sun
Uncle Charlie (Jessie's Dad), leading the assault team on.