BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
A guide from International Mountain Guides gave a presentation on mountaineering at the Outdoor Adventure Center, July 8.
The presentation was geared toward those with little to no mountaineering experience or those with experience who wanted to learn about professionally guided climbs of Mt. Rainer or Mt. McKinley.
Ms. Jenni Fogle, a guide with IMG and also a reservist with the 940th Wing, opened the presentation on what being a mountaineering guide means to her and the challenges of leading expeditions.
"I love climbing," said Ms. Fogle. "Guiding is a little different than that, guiding incorporates a lot of working with people and taking care of people."
She talked about her first guided ascent on Mt. Rainer and how that impacted her life.
"The first time I climbed Mt. Rainer in 1999 it really changed my life and in part because of the guides that I had," said Ms. Fogle. "I welcome the opportunity to have that kind of influence on other people or help influence that type of event in their life."
She explained how the challenges of mountaineering benefit more than just physical health.
"It's a wonderful experience, not just the physical challenge, and the physical rewards that come with it," said Ms. Fogle. "There is also the emotional, mental and even spiritual benefit that you get from being outside and accomplishing something like that."
During her presentation of climbing both Mt. Rainer and Mt. McKinley, she talked about the misconceptions that it requires years and years of experience to climb and having a guide provides both experience and safety.
"The first time I thought about climbing Mt. Rainer, people told me it take years and years to get the kind the kind of experience to be able to do something like that," said Ms. Fogle. "It does when you do it all on your own, but one of the benefits of having a professional guide is you get the benefit of the experience and an extra margin of safety."
At the conclusion of her presentation, she said that IMG was going to work with the OAC on providing mountain climbing trips and mountaineering lessons to Beale Airmen and their families.
For more information on climbing trips and other outdoor activities, contact the OAC at 634-2054.