Team 3, Denali Ice Agers Expedition: May 19-June 12, 2008

Denali Ice Agers on the Move. In addition to just having fun with the process, most Denali expeditions opt to choose a team name of sorts for registering with the National Park Service for their climb, and/or for easy reference on AAI's Denali trip dispatches page. The teams that do choose names often don't decide on a name until after the first team meeting and they feel snow and ice under foot. But this isn't the case with the Denali Ice Agers team. Almost four months prior to the start of their 2008 Denali expedition, the Ice Agers chose a name that is reflective of the team's strategy and philosophy.

Ice Agers team members from across the U.S. and Great Britain are sharing training tips and some members have formed training programs with the team's primary guide, Joseph Anderson. Other team members have training climbs or fun climbs scheduled prior to the May 19th departure date. There's no pressure though, despite the fact that media on the East and West coasts will be covering the Ice Agers' climb. You'll be able to follow the Ice Agers' progress on AAI's Denali Expedition Dispatches Web page http://www.aai.cc/currentnews/

Name: Bob Baker Age: 63 From: Anacortes, WA Occupation: Real Estate Agent Personal Note:I'll turn 64 on Denali, probably at 11,200 camp. I've been climbing since age 40, including rock, ice and mountaineering, but it's been quite awhile since I used those skills. I attempted Denali in 2006, discovered my technical skills were rusty, and my pace was a bit slow for the summit push, so I descended from 14,200. I've collected many books about Denali, love to view the website photos from other climbs. I have a huge photo poster of the West Buttress signed by Brad and Barbara Washburn in 1997 in my home office, as well as other Denali photos. There is nothing I'm more passionate about than having this opportunity to be on the mountain again.I'm looking forward to being truly ready and capable this year, and being an able teammate.	Name: Jack Strickland Age: 64 From: Fort Worth, TX Occupation: Attorney Personal Note: Jack is a 64 year-old criminal defense attorney from Fort Worth, TX. Prior to practicing defense work, he served as an officer in the United States Navy and worked as a prosecutr for seven years. Since having made two ascents of Japan's Mt. Fuji at the ages of 12 and 13, Jack has climbed in the Pac. NW, the Alaska Range, Alaska's ST. Elias Range, Canada, and Colorado. An avid ice climber, Jack will celebrate his 65th birthday on Denali, an occasion when he fully expects AAI to provide a cake!
Name: Ron Goodman Age: 60 From: Menands, NY Occupation: Paramedic Personal Note: I've been climbing off and on for about 30 years, moderate rock, ice, and general mountaineering, mostly in the NE, but also a number of trips to the Tetons. I was on the Ruth with AAI four years ago and after a few unsuccessful attempts to get back on a private trip, decided to sign up for Denali. Since then, I've settled into 4-5 days/ week on the Stairmaster or treadmill with a weight vest, and a couple of days of strength training. I'm stronger and fitter, but thatÕs a very large, cold mountain, so weÕll see. I've heard mentioned several times that a lot of it comes down to just taking care of yourself for a long climb. IÕm looking forward to meeting everyone in May.	Name: Paul Rose Age: 46 From: Waban, MA Occupation: Research Scientist Personal Note: I am a research scientist at a biotech company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I enjoy the alpine areas of New York and New Hampshire in all seasons even if they are on the short side as mountains go. I have been interested in climbing Denali since I was a teenager after reading Belmore Brown's account of his early attempts on the mountain. Seeing Bradford Washburn's photos at the Boston Museum of Science and reading his accounts of the mountain and Alaska climbing rekindled and strengthened my interest. This will be my second attempt on the mountain, we spent four days in high winds and low temperatures on my last trip. Good luck to everyone!
Name: Tim Bullard Age: 59 From: Houston, TX Occupation: Owner, Sale Promotion Agency Personal Note: Living in Houston all of my life where everything is flat, the mountains have always held a special allure for me. The solitude, majesty and beauty of the mountains (especially Denali) are something that I do not get to enjoy on a day-to-day basis. Climbing Denali represents one of the ultimate challenges. It represents a statement of my commitment to excellence, determination and the quality of my character that embodies everything I ask of myself on a day-to-day basis. Am I good enough...strong enough...do I want it bad enough...and, more importantly, do I have the will. The mountains always answer these questions. I failed in my first attempt in 2006 but I am looking forward to giving it another try with this great team.	Name: Art Huseonica Age: 57 From: Originally Homer City, Pennsylvania; currently Crofton, Maryland Occupation: Contingent Associate Professor and Warehouse Associate Personal Note: I teach part-time for University of Maryland University College and to help stay in shape, I work at SchoolMart.com. An avid extreme sports enthusiast, I've skydived at the Florida Spacecoast and Virginia's Dismal Swamp dive centers, raced bicycles for the Melbourne Florida Velodromes, paddled for the Honolulu Outrigger Canoe Team, and flew hot air balloons in Maryland pre 9-11. With numerous climbs in North and South America, this puts me at my current climbing endeavor. What's after Denali? - learn how to dance with my very understanding wife Karen so that I can dance at my son Patrick's wedding.
Name: Romeo Garduce Age: 30 something From: Makati City, Phillipines Occupation: Project Manager Personal Note: "I live and work in the Philippines. Love to travel and hike in different countries, and occasionally climb big mountains. My recent interest is (amateur) filming of natural wonders and wildlife. I'm involved in a docu work featuring flora and fauna of Philippines, something I wish to do as well in countries that I will visit. Like Alaska! Climbing Denali? It's a big task for me. Reading thru various climb stories, I began to wonder how it's like carrying monstrous pack and boulder-weight sled, surviving killer Alaskan storms, among other things... The experience and the summit is a big pull, and I'd like to see the fabled beauty of the mountain and hopefully top out on another one of the 7 summits.	Name: Garry Menzel Age: 43 From: Tiburon, CA Occupation: Executive Management Personal Note: In 2004, I experienced the thrill of attaining a 20,000ft summit in the Himalaya after a truly wonderful climb, only to be humbled by the sight of much larger peaks all around me. On Denali, I hope to accomplish the same feat, but this time with no obstructions to my view!
Name: Tony Martin Age: 58 From: Alaska Occupation: Commercial Pilot Personal Note: I've been flying in Alaska since 1978, off and on out of Talkeetna since 1982. Currently piloting Turbine Otters for K-2 Aviation. Climbing/Mountaineering experience resume is mixed: Aconcogua (1985); Kiliminjaro & Mt. Meru (1993); Mt. Kenya (1994); Antarctica Support Pilot (2001); AAI Basic Mountaineering Course (2006), Mauna Loa & Mauna Kea (2008); member Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol (2004-present). Looking forward to meeting everyone and to a safe and enjoyable Denali experience.