The Climb On Project
Project Date: 2017-2018
We were sitting out at Smith Rock one day - Anna was tying herself into a climb, the sun was beginning to set and I took a moment to look around. It was one of those warm fall days at Smith that feels really quite magical. Anna said she was ready to climb, we exchanged safety checks and I replied “climb on.” Something about that moment made me pause and reflect on what was happening. This was our second trip to smith rock as a duo, the first time with Anna moving independently to and from the crag (courtesy of her off road handcycle). On a fundamental level, Anna and I are really not that different than any other climbing partners: we still have the same goals, safety checks and challenges that other climbers and outdoor athletes have, the only difference is in how we pursue them.
In December of 2015, Anna fell in a rock climbing accident sustaining what can only be described as a life-altering spinal cord injury. Since then, Anna has returned to the world she knows and loves, outdoor sports. She has quickly learned to ski, off-road handcycle, rock climb, hike and continue to pursue any outdoor endeavor brought up. To many, Anna’s choice to return to her outdoor life full-force is an inspiring and unique story, but to her there really wasn’t another option. For those of us who live and breathe for the outdoors, we know that spending time playing and enjoying the outside world isn’t just a hobby, but a lifestyle. Many of us living in Central Oregon came here for that very reason, to fully engage in the outdoors and make our outdoor pursuits a priority.
Anna is a close friend of mine and I have the pleasure of participating in a number of outdoor pursuits with her. The crazy expensive adaptive outdoor gear and sh*tshow that comes along with figuring out how to adapt adventures has become a normal part of my outdoor life, and I hope that that continues to become the case for more and more people. At Oregon Adaptive Sports our vision is to create a fully inclusive outdoor community right here in Central Oregon. As part of this project Anna and I hope to not only encourage and inspire others to continue to pursue their outdoor goals, but to fundraise for OAS so that they can provide people with the experience, gear and knowledge they need to continue to get after it in whatever way they desire.
For Anna, the means to pursue the outdoors have changed, but the drive and the joy that come with it are the same. This Spring, Anna, myself, her father and a group of friends will be attempting to climb and ski Mount Hood. This venture began as nothing more than friends and family getting after it, and continues on as such. If she makes it, Anna will be the first female para to do this venture. We hope that not only is this just the first of many projects like this as Anna continues to “climb on” but also that she is the first of many athletes who have the courage and support to continue to make their outdoor dreams a reality.
What is the Climb On Project?
A campaign to encourage people of all abilities to engage with the outdoors and to create a fully inclusive outdoor community
Why Mount Hood?
While many people climb Mount Hood, this venture is a little different than most. Anna has always been drawn to the outdoors and outdoor lifestyle. She was an avid climber and outdoor enthusiast, working for Nevada wildlife tracking animals and spending as much time outside as possible. She and her dad Tom (70 yrs old) have dreamed of climbing Mount Hood for a while, after looking out at it from the Soens home in Portland. In December of 2014, Anna fell in a climbing accident sustaining an incomplete spinal cord injury, but the dream of climbing Oregon's tallest peak didn't stop there.
About the Campaign
Welcome to the Climb On Project, a collection of friends and family motivated and wrangled to pursue outdoor adventure by adaptive athlete and bad*** Anna Soens.
On May 29th, Anna, her father and a group of friends reached the summit of Mount Hood and skied down. Our hope is to not just share the glory shots at the end (ie. summit pictures, epic ski turns, etc), but to share the process - all the people and training it takes to put a venture like this together - and to encourage other athletes to take on whatever projects they can dream up! Follow along on Facebook, Instagram or our blog all linked below.
As part of this trip, we are fundraising both through and for Oregon Adaptive Sports, with the hopes of covering the cost of the gear for our trip and providing other athletes with the access, equipment and knowledge they need. If you are able, we ask that you make a donation.
Why is this bigger than us?
This climb is about more than the summit. While this venture is the first female ascent by a someone with paraplegia and the first monoski descent, it's impact is about more than records.
Anna was connected to Oregon Adaptive Sports in Bend, Oregon through other adaptive athletes very quickly in her recovery process but that's not everyone's experienced. 6 months in she learned to off road handcycle (mountain bike), 1 year in she learned to monoski, .5 years in she received grants for her own equipment and very quickly returned to the dream of climbing Hood. She continues to live her life in pursuite of time and adventure outside, and was very quickly surprised by the lack of expectations people generally held for her as someone with a disability.
She reached out to friends baout climbing Mount Hood, and after a ton of positive feedback decided to make that dream a reality. Anna and her instructor Kellie got grants and created the Climb On Project - a project to document their continued efforts to adapt adventures and train for the Mount Hood climb. We speak often in the outdoor industry about representation, and the limited representation and presence of adaptive athletes outdoors can ber very daunting to those seeking to do bigger ventures. Our hope is by sharing this story and especially our process we can encourage others to take on their biggest dreams.
The Climb Itself
We spent a lot of time fine tuning gear, training and planning logistics. “Paramountaineering” and lugging sit skis up peaks is a rather uncommon mission, so much of the project was spent learning to navigate uncharted territory. On May 28, we began our hike up, camping at around 9600’ for the night before their summit bid Tuesday morning. As we were setting up camp, we watched a series of rescues both by foot and copter of 3 climbers that had fallen during the day. The conditions were soft and warm that day, but overnight quickly froze and remained cold as winds increased and remained strong. The team made their way up the South Side route and around 1:00 PM on May 29 reached the summit. This is the second ascent by someone with paraplegia, a first ascent by a female with paraplegia and the first monoski descent.
Due to very firm conditions, Anna began the monoski descent below the Hogsback as many other skiers were also making the choice to forego the upper terrain that day. Anna began this venture for herself and her father but hopes to help foster a culture where people of all abilities are encouraged and expected to reach as high as they can.
STAY TUNED for our film to be released later this year. In the meantime, checkout Anna’s next venture in Adapted.
