Ellison Adventures

It's been a really long time since I've posted anything of value on my BLOG or on facebook. The end of 2016 was a crazy time for us. We sold our home in Junction City in June, went on a month long road trip, bought a new home in Bluffdale, UT in August, got an offer on Royalty Core, moved in with Teri for 2 months, built a SEMA truck, sold Royalty Core, and then finally moved to our Utah home in November. 

Since we've moved to Utah we've been really busy just trying to adjust to a new state, new school's, new home, etc. I've been trying to get things organized that have been on the back burner while I was working full time. One of those was organizing all of the mountaineering trips that Kaiden and Josh went on the last few years. 

Now for the big announcement. Josh and Kaiden are set to leave January 28th to climb Aconcagua in Argentina. It is one of the 7 summits of the world (the tallest mountain on each continent). Aconcagua stands at 22,841 feet with an elevation gain of 22,841 feet. They have been planning this trip for over a year. Kaiden has maintained his working out all year long as well as not having any treats this whole year (there have been a few exceptions) to keep his body in its best condition. He did this willingly and on his own. 

I've been fortunate to continue my duties as designated "get the details done" girl since JE Illusions and Royalty Core that has been my main asset to helping our companies. I helped Josh and Kaiden get their passports, planned their itinerary, plane tickets, booked some assistance from an expedition group (hiring mules and some meals). This has really helped put me at ease that this will be a safe trip for both Josh and Kaiden. They will have about 18 days to make the trek up the mountain giving them adequate time to acclimate to the oxygen levels and rest during the journey. I'm actually pretty jealous that I don't get to go on this one. But I'm proud of Kaiden for making the sacrifices both physically, emotionally, and monetarily to accomplish this awesome goal. Also for having an amazingly adventurous husband with the love and patience to train his son to come with him. 

Josh has trained Kaiden on a lot of mountains over the past couple of years. His first being the Middle Sister in Eastern Oregon when he was 9. He still holds the world record for youngest to summit the mountain! Since then beginning in 2015 they have climbed Mt. Thielsen, Broken Top, Neahkannie Mountain, Mt. Hood, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainer, and Diamond Peak. I've attached Kaiden's Mountaineering Resume that has pictures and information on each climb. You will also notice that there is a technical difficulty class rating on these mountains. They are classified from a class I to a class V which I've explained below. 

Grade 1: Walk up - no ropes needed - There are no objective hazards that require use of ropes
Grade 2: Ropes needed but no fixed anchors (although its imperative to bring the fix anchors along just in case)
Grade 3: Fixed anchors needed More for safety (still up right walking)
Grade 4: Fixed anchors needed and you are actively using them most of the time
Grade 5: Full on Rock / Ice climbing (Full use / all the time)

I will keep those of you who would like to follow their adventure on Aconcagua up to date. 

The Middle Sister Peak

Location: Sisters, Oregon

Climb:  August 26th-28th 2012

Summited August 27, 2012

Elevation: 10,358 Feet

Elevation Gain: 5000

Technical Difficulty:  Class III

Age: 9

Mt. Thielsen

Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Climb: October 22nd-23rd 2015

Summited October 22, 2015

Elevation: 9182 Feet

Elevation Gain: 3342

Technical Difficulty:  Class IV 

Age: 13

South Sister

Location: Sisters, Oregon

Climb: September 12th 2015

Summited September 12th 2015

Elevation: 10,358 Feet

Elevation Gain: 5598

Technical Difficulty:  Class II

Age: 13

Broken Top

Location: Bend, Oregon

Climb: December 30th-31st, 2015

Summited: Strong Winds and Frostbite Prevented Summit

Elevation: 9175 Feet

Elevation Gain: 2175

Technical Difficulty:  Class IV

Age: 13

Neahkannie Mountain

Location: Bandon Oregon

Climb: March 19, 2016

Summited: March 19, 2016

Elevation: 1680

Elevation Gain: 361

Technical Difficulty:  Class I

Age: 13

Mt. Hood

Location: Portland, Oregon

Climb: March 31st-April 1st 2016

Summited: April 1, 2016

Elevation: 11,250

Elevation Gain: 7707

Technical Difficulty:  Class III 

Age: 13

Three Fingered Jack

Location: Cascade Range, Oregon

Climb: May 7th 2016

Summited: May 7, 2016

Elevation: 7,844

Elevation Gain: 2,480 

Technical Difficulty:  Class IV

Age: 13

Mt. Shasta

Location: Shasta, California

Climb: April 15th-April 16th 2016

Summited: April 16, 2016

Elevation: 14,180

Elevation Gain: 9823 

Technical Difficulty:  Class III 

Age: 13

Mt. Rainer

Location:  Mount Rainer National Park, Washington

Climb: May 25th-26th 2016

Summited: Columbia Crest May 26, 2016

Elevation: 14,409

Elevation Gain: 13,212

Technical Difficulty:  Class IV

Age: 13

Diamond Peak

Location: Willamette National Forest, Oregon

Climb: June 24th-25th 2016

Summited: June 24th-25th 2016

Elevation: 8743

Elevation Gain: 4100

Technical Difficulty:  Class I 

Age: 13

Broken Top (Second Attempt)

Location: Bend, Oregon

Climb: July 6th 2016

Summited: Went the Wrong Route (East Face) and Technical Issues Prevented Summit

Elevation: 9175 Feet

Elevation Gain: 2175

Technical Difficulty:  Class IV

Age: 13

Location: Mendoza, Argentina

Climb: February 1st-17th 2017

Summited: February 2017

Elevation: 22,841 Feet

Elevation Gain: 22,841

Technical Difficulty:  Class III

Age: 14