Tracy Greenwood – Custom Crevasse Rescue Course 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to write to you to say thanks for the excellent class..  you know.. I really haven’t had an actual class from you.  I was totally impressed with how you took what I told you I wanted to learn and put that together in such a well organized way.  you didn’t waste a minute.  you covered everything that I felt I wanted to know in enough depth that I can use a lot of it as is.. and what I need more work on, I can work on with Trixie.  It was nice after all the climbing I have done to finally be shown ice axe arrest… it was about time.

I also thought it was just incredible that you could work with three people of such various levels of experience, knowledge and ability and make the same class content useful for all of us. you are as fine of an instructor as a guide (alpine facilitator).

 

Yekaterina Borisenko – Rock Climbing 101 particpant 12′

Rock climbing was something I never thought I’d experience due to my fear of heights! When the group first arrived at the rock we were planning to climb I took one look and thought, I’m never going to do this. I let my belay partner go first as I gathered my strength. When I finally started climbing I had this rush of adrenaline and became so focused on climbing that no other thoughts could come into my head. Getting to the top of the climb I looked down and all I could think was, Wow I really CAN do this. I wanted to go on higher and harder climbs because it felt so good to know that I can achieve something I never imagined possible for me.  The rest of the time flew by so fast and I had a difficult time leaving.

It has been a wonderful experience and I want to thank KAF Adventures for their enthusiasm and professionalism. We were provided with all the necessary equipment to ensure our safety. I had complete confidence in the two guides we had and their knowledge of rock climbing – they enabled me to always feel safe and to challenge myself. Thank You!

 

Mohan D. – Intro to Mountaineering participant 12′

In the last few ‘soggy and wet’ days with the chill, I learnt more than just mountaineering. You all don’t do business, you all share experience and develop relationships. While the wet weather was a great deterrent to learning, Lenka was patient with us and much like a doting kindergarten teacher kept prodding us to keep going.

Mountaineering is not all about steps, belay, ropes and knots but a lot more than that; one we develop as a team. In adverse situations every bit of our self is tuned towards selfish needs but you all at KAF make sure that we learn to expand the self to a
larger body and I quote you ‘ You are KAF Adventures.’ It is a loaded statement and that one small sentence binds us together. Like the curious first timer we were obviously eager to climb Mt. Baker and we learnt another important lesson. Safety. Being back home to family an getting an opportunity to sit and write this mail is a greater experience than not. Baker will be there. Other mountains will be too and we will keep climbing. I personally hope to keep climbing and not only half-across the world here in the USA but also in my backyard in India.

 

Jessica Rubie – yoga hikes, snow shoeing, and rock climbing participant – 11′ – 12′

KAF Adventures feels more community and education driven.  I walk away with resources that I can use to continue to do fun things outside, or there are other events with KAF that I can continue to participate in throughout the year to get better at a certain skill.  KAF gets people out of their comfort zone – the activities are physically challenging, you carpool with people you don’t know, and often their guides bring a certain spiritual component to programs too!

 

Judy Peterson – Backpacking and Yoga – Canyonlands – Fall 11′

I just wanted to let you know that I meant it when I said the trip was life-altering.  My priorities have shifted
towards taking care of my health and fitting more spiritual time into each day.  Here are some more gems of learning gleaned from the trip:

• Even if I am in pain, I can continue to move and be physically active.
• Everyone else’s needs do not always precede mine.
• Sleeping on the ground is a good thing.  (I actually miss it from time to time.)
• Some things are worth letting go while others are worth fighting for.  Wisdom is knowing which one is which.
• I am stronger than I thought–physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Again, and again, thanks a bunch for being such a great guide and for having patience and a sense of humor.

 

It is such a pleasure for me to climb with you.  I love your attitude, your passion for climbing, your concern for others — and, of course, your smile!  There have been so many others that I’ve climbed with over the years, but you embody all of the qualities that I find so important to make the overall experience of climbing ‘complete’.  Climbing is such an essential part of who I am (even though in a moderate kind of way), and having someone like you to make that experience the best possible is a rare gift.  I am also so very impressed with your dedication to making your business successful and will help in any way I can.

 

 

Thank you Mick & Mindy!  What a wonderful, exciting, beautiful and enlightening day we all had!  I don’t think it could’ve been any better than it was.   Simply, the best day ever. Thank you for your hospitality, your enthusiasm, your kind and warm spirit, and… for making us all take some ‘much needed’ time for reflection, peace and inner connection.  I will definitely be back to join the KAF adventures…I couldn’t think of a better community to be involved in!  You both will be in my thoughts when referring clients to an experience that they will never forget! Thank you for making my 34th birthday extra special!

 

Francis Smith, KAF introduction to mountaineering graduate -  I had a great experience.  It was new, it was fun, and as Jason said: it took me outside your known limits.  Jason, Wyatt, and Steffan were excellent guides – they truly knew their craft and enjoyed sharing it with others.  True professionals.  I can’t say it enough, Steffan really kept an out for me at the Roman head wall, and Jason pretty much saved me with those cliff shot gummis.  Thanks guys – no way I could have finished without your help.  Plus, thanks to my rope team for putting up with my pace and thanks to everyone for being there to contribute to such a great experience. I hope to see you all out there again sometime!

Thanks again for the vacation in July, one of the most amazing weeks I have ever experienced. Also, thanks for getting me back after my epic rappel off Sharkfin Tower. You certainly deserve a warm blessing of gratitude.