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Dentist plans to climb Mount Whitney
By LESTER R. DAILEY
Article published on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/031208_lle-06.jpg) |
| J. Carey Bonham and his wife at the summit of Mount Washington, N.H. |
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LARGO – Looming high above the other mountains in southeast California’s Sierra Nevada Range, 14,497-foot Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the 48 contiguous states. In April, Largo dentist J. Carey Bonham hopes to reach its summit to raise money for inner city and at-risk kids.
From April 18 to 21, Bonham’s party of nine climbers and approximately three guides will assault Whitney’s cloud-shrouded summit. Later this year, other teams will climb America’s other highest mountains.
It’s all part of Backpacker Magazine’s effort to raise money for inner city and at-risk kids through its Summit for Someone program. Working through the Big City Mountaineers organization, Summit for Someone provides outdoor education and leadership trips for the youngsters.
“Twenty-four peaks … 94 events … 775 climbers … 9.8-million vertical feet … countless lives changed” is its slogan.
“These programs can truly change the lives of children that may not have many opportunities by giving them hope and skills to do great things in their lives,” Bonham said. “I am participating in the Summit for Someone program to raise money to give these kids those opportunities.”
Born in Illinois and raised in flat-as-a-pancake Florida, Bonham is an unlikely mountain climber.
“I’ve always liked backpacking and hiking,” Bonham said.
Eventually, he started climbing the indoor rock wall at Vertical Ventures in Tampa. And about 10 years ago he started climbing real mountains. He recently returned from a training trip to New Hampshire, but it was nothing like the challenges he will face on Whitney’s rugged slopes.
“This will be the most complex climb I’ve done so far,” Bonham said. “The climb will take four days and we will be ascending the Mountaineer’s Route. In mid-April the route will still be covered with snow, making this a technical climb requiring roped, glacier-type travel, an ice axe and crampons.”
Anyone wishing to be one of Bonham’s sponsors may do so online by going to www.summitforsomeone .org, clicking on the “Donate” button, typing the name “Carey Bonham” in the search criteria boxes, pushing the “Go” button and following the instructions that are given. Each donor will receive an e-mail giving instructions on how to obtain a printable receipt for tax purposes.
An alternate method is to make a check payable to Big City Mountaineers and write “SFS-Carey Bonham” in the memo line. The check should be mailed to Big City Mountaineers, Attn: Summit for Someone, 1667 Vine Street, Denver, CO 80206.
What’s next for Bonham after he conquers the highest mountain in the “Lower 48?” He said he has no desire to climb the world’s highest mountain, 29,028-foot Mt. Everest. But he would like to try North America’s highest peak, the 20,320-foot Alaskan mountain the Inuits call Denali and others call Mt. McKinley. And he also has his eye on a couple of volcanoes in Mexico.
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Article published on Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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