Annual Teton Climb for the Rowell Fund

The next Grand Teton benefit climb for the Rowell Fund for Tibet is coming up this weekend. The group was organized by former ICT president (and now board member) John Ackerly and the climbing will be led by world-renowned mountaineers David Breashears, Conrad Anker and Jimmy Chin.

The annual Teton climb is a benefit for the Rowell Fund, which was set up in 2003 by ICT in memory of Galen and Barbara Rowell, longtime friends of Tibet who worked to document the disappearance of the Tibetan culture and environment. An outdoor photographer and adventurer, Galen worked with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to produce the book, “My Tibet,” introducing Tibet to thousands. The Rowell Fund seeks to carry on the Rowell’s legacy in the Tibetan community. Tibetans are empowered to document and protect their culture and environment through small grants provided by the fund.

The climb is unique apart from its direct impact on Tibetans — it is included in a book of once in lifetime trips, called “Once in a Lifetime Trips,” by Chris Santella.  According to Mr. Santella, “mastering belaying techniques alongside Breashears, Chin and Anker is the equivalent of a golfer spending a few hours on the practice range with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Lorena Ochoa.”

I will be representing the ICT staff on the trip, in awe with this esteemed company as much as I will be gasping for breath at the Tetons’ altitude. We’ll send a note on letting everyone know how it went! Check back for pictures.