Many of you have asked me about Scott's climbing partner for this expedition, so this post is all about Aaron Saari since today is his 32nd birthday! Hopefully he will get to celebrate from the top of Mount McKinley today!
Residence: Aaron grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so and his other 5 siblings are "Yoopers." He lived in Portland, OR for a time before moving to Park City, UT (7,000 ft. elevation!) in 2006 where the training center for the US Ski Team is located. Aaron lives with his girlfriend, April, and his golden retriever, Denali.
Occupation: Physical Therapist for the US Ski Team: Nordic (Cross Country, Nordic Combined, and Special Jumping). He travels with the team internationally for World Cup US Ski Team competitions, managing injuries and acting as a first responder for trauma on the hill. Aaron plans to be with the team in Vancouver, BC at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Outdoor Interests: Aaron enjoys the snow and outdoors by mountaineering, cross-country and alpine skiing, running, rock climbing, and holing up in snow caves. He has competed in many of his own long distance cross-country ski races, many of them 50K’s.
Other Hobbies: Sings, plays guitar, and even writes his own little ditties when no one’s looking.
Climbing Experience/Successful Summits: Mt Superior, Utah (11,040 ft.) - April 2007 summit with ski descent with Billy Demong (2007 Nordic Combined World Championship Silver Medalist); Mt. Rainer, Washington (14,410 ft.); Mt. Hood, Oregon (11,249 ft.) - multiple summits (Routes: South side, Sunshine Route with Ski Descent, Cooper Spur); South Sister, Oregon (10,358 ft.); Middle Sister, Oregon; Mt. Adams, Washington (12, 276 ft.) - multiple summits
Outdoor Interests: Aaron enjoys the snow and outdoors by mountaineering, cross-country and alpine skiing, running, rock climbing, and holing up in snow caves. He has competed in many of his own long distance cross-country ski races, many of them 50K’s.
Other Hobbies: Sings, plays guitar, and even writes his own little ditties when no one’s looking.
Climbing Experience/Successful Summits: Mt Superior, Utah (11,040 ft.) - April 2007 summit with ski descent with Billy Demong (2007 Nordic Combined World Championship Silver Medalist); Mt. Rainer, Washington (14,410 ft.); Mt. Hood, Oregon (11,249 ft.) - multiple summits (Routes: South side, Sunshine Route with Ski Descent, Cooper Spur); South Sister, Oregon (10,358 ft.); Middle Sister, Oregon; Mt. Adams, Washington (12, 276 ft.) - multiple summits
1 comment:
May Mother Nature bless you two with clear weather so you may see the world from the top of Denali. Happy Birthday Aaron!
April
Many thanks to Dana for keeping us updated on the blog :)
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