36 — North Shore News — Wednesday, August 23, 2000

From previous page

care of.”

Ponec. stressed that the
crew would never allow inex-
perienced people on their
treks.

“It just endangers the
whole trip and puts the pres-
sure on the other guys to look
after somebady else,” said
Ponec. “Everybody who goes
in there should be capable of
taking care of themseives.”

But sealing monoliths is old
hat to these guys — they've
climbed McKinley and a
handful of other . South
American peaks together in the
last ten years.

The entire Mera expedition
“= not including the acclimati-
zation trek — took 30 days.

Despite the chasm tumble, chest infection
_and bitterly cold temperatures at the top, it was
only when the woop made its descent into a
more humid, lush jungle climate that Bjarnason
felt the trip had begun to suck.

Literally. .

Like tha scene out of Stand By Me, he
_peered into his boxers during a pitstop and spot-

‘ted an unwelcome hitchhiker: leech. ae
* Yes. In that area.

sitlelines

|THE. newly-formed North

Shore . Cruisers synchronized are:

The division 5 members _
Zahra Amarshi,

SPORTS

photo Ailes Ponec

THE Majestic twin peaks of Everest, centre, and its
sister summit, Lhotse, stretch toward the heavens.

The leeches secrete a chemica! anaesthetic
which prevents victims from knowing when the
critters have attached themselves and are feed-
ing. They also release an anticoagulant that
helps prevent wounds from healing.

The leeches made their own ascent on
Bjarnason through holes in his ragged and torn
boots.

“Aside from that, it was a pretty good trip,”
mused Bjarnason, shifting uncomfortably in his
seat.

Meanwhile, © Pharo’ and

Kim’ Turnham combined to claim

From previous page

Securities branch of the
Royal Bank, brings
with him over 20 years
of climbing, expenence
in various _ terrain.
Locally, he's scaled
Baker and Rainier and
tamed several peaks in
the Rockies, but he’s
never been to Africa
before.

The climbers will be
witness to some mag-
nificent terrain and var-
ied ecosystems during
the ascent — from
lush, tropical vegeta-
tion at the base to the
wind-swept, arid alpine
climes oft the snow-
capped peak.

Even though
nobody in Kelsch’s .
family. or circle of .
friends has been afflict-
ed with the disease, he
said he saw it as an
important cause which
deserved his attention.

“It’s an adventure,
which is a big interest
to me, burt it’s also a
double whammy

swim team camed a handful of
medals at the provincial sum-
. ‘ mer”. swimming . association
~ finals in Coquitlam last week.
"The division 1-2 contingent
‘captured gold; © while - the
Cruisers’ division 5 team took

Dixon, Chanel Miscisco-Peted,
Stephanie Pharo, Candice
Phillippe and Katie Turnham.
Division 1-2 members include
Kendra Appleby, Erin Bjorson,
Laura Haley, Keris. Harivel,
Alison Hilder, Alex Inman and
Alannah Madliger.

silver in the division 5 duet
event.

Turham also earned the
gold in division 1-2 figures and
Haley ran a close second to
snag the silver. Pharo, mean-
while, won bronze in the divi-
sion 5 figures competition.

because it’s a good
cause,” said Kelsch.
“Normally when you
go out and go ice
climbing in the
Rockies for a week it’s
for you and your bud-
dies, but this isn’t the

NORTH Vancouver's Brian Keisch is on

taking part in an ascent on Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro this

* silver... .

PEN HOUSE

North Shore Community Owned & Operated

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j coach of the Vancouver 86ers. We are inviting all coaches & managers to join
-Carland review the upcoming player & coaches programs for the new season.

join us for Coaching tips & demo's, . :

Video presentations, "The Coaches
Challenge”. : ;

Meet staff coaches & program

‘affiliates, Former National Coach
: Tony Waiters (6-8 years old),

Darren Woloshen - goal keeper |
coach of the Vancouver 86ers. Ajit

-Dranot’- youth co-ordinator for
‘the Vancouver 86ers. Derek
- Possee - head coach B.C. Soccer

MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2000 |

el sioe
ied.

6:00PM TO 8:30PM.
BEHIND MAHON STADIUM, |

16TH AT FORBES ST.,

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Refreshments Available

case.”

_ He stuck to a rigor-
ous waining, schedule
in preparation for the climb,
putting his body through ‘as
much elevation gain and loss
as he can. “If time is limited
we'll go do a Grouse Grind up

and down real quick and.

maybe put some weight on
our backs or maybe get further
atield into the mountains and
do a long weekend trip,” said
Kelsch.

Of course, the fundraiser

~ different
explained Sandy -Riley, vice-_-
president. of the Alzheimer |
Sociery of B.C. “It's a journey:

itself begs the question: what
docs cresting Kilimanjaro have
to do with Alzheimers?” -
“It’s. symbolic in so many
ways - for

that: people with dementia

“take. And for. the. caregivers
; imb their own °

that have to cli

us,” .

week. The seven-day ciimb is an annual fundralser orga-
nized by the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’ - -

for somebody with the diseas

They won’t get to the top and
~ be able. to see that‘incredible

* grou
* heal >