'Everesting' in the Okanagan

Eight thousand, eight-hundred and forty-eight meters.

Approximately five-and-a-half miles.

Climbing enthusiasts will know that is the height of Mount Everest, earth's highest mountain above sea level.

While most people were planning some form of Thanksgiving weekend gathering, Nathalie Long, an event coordinator and race director with Penticton’s Hoodoo Adventure Company, was preparing to take part in an Everesting for Kids fundraising initiative – a feat which took well-over 8,848 steps, and took 25 hours in total, including 19 hours of climbing uphill.

“It was kind of a relief that I made it. I was really happy to be on that last lap,” said Long after taking a few days to relax. “My first thought was thankful to everyone who supported me. I don’t think I could have gone through the night without my friends supporting me doing a lap or two with me.

“Everyone that donated to the cause – all of that really overwhelmed me quite a bit.”

Long found her challenge in Blue Grouse Mountain, located in West Kelowna off Bear Lake Main Road.

So, last Friday morning at 11, she began climbing the mountain.

She climbed up, and was driven down each time – so her Everesting experience would be as close to the real thing as possible.

She accomplished the feat 11 times – allowing her to complete her Everesting goal of 29,029 feet, and finishing at around noon Sunday.

“On the third lap, I realized really quickly that I chose a route that was way too steep at the beginning. In the first 1.6-km., you’re climbing 300-meters, so it’s really, really steep,” she recalled. “On the second lap, I was only feeling it going up a little bit. By the third lap I was thinking, I’m never going to make it. I was sore, and just didn’t feel I would make it. So Lyndie (Hill) was cheering me on. She looked at me and said, ‘Are you going to make it?’ I told her, this is a lot harder than I thought.

“But by the fourth lap, I had someone with me, which kind of made me forget about it.”

Hill, co-owner of Hoodoo Adventures, recently named Business of the Year at the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, knew her encouragement would go a long way to Long achieving her goal.

“It was absolutely inspiring watching Nathalie achieve this amazing feat. It was on lap eight and nine when she was climbing through the night that she needed some extra encouragement. Her spirits were down a bit and she was questioning if she could do it, but we all knew she could," said Hill, "A few encouraging words later and she not only finished the last two laps but when she reached me in the support car at the top, she was running! I couldn't believe it.”

During each rather bumpy trip down the hill in a four-wheel drive vehicle, she would take the opportunity to replenish her body with food.

Although what she ate may come as a surprise.

“I’m not the best example of the best athlete when it comes to nutrition. But I know my body and I knew if I ate I’d be fine,” she said. “I ate pizza, I ate dehydrated pasta, and took some type of protein powder.

“My friends baked me some freshly-baked cookies, which was awesome. So, nothing too healthy.”

It’s the middle of the night, a climber’s mind begins playing tricks in the dark. And let’s not forget Nathalie Long was climbing a mountain no doubt teaming with wildlife.

Yes, Everesting for Kids had its, shall we say, interesting moments.

“On my first lap I had a grouse jump out in front of me, which made me jump back a little bit. Other than that I think I just saw some deer," she said. "But at the same type, when I do these kinds of races at night, I’m kind of head-down kind of thing. I don’t notice too much of what’s going on around me.”

Probably a good thing. There were undoubtedly a few sets of eyes watching as Nathalie Hill climbed Blue Grouse Mountain.

The climb finished, Long can now relish in what she accomplished.

The Everesting for Kids fundraiser brought in $1,758.

“That makes me feel good. I’m happy to see how much was donated for the kids. I took some kids kayaking this past summer, and it’s great to see how happy they are,” said Long. “Some had never been kayaking before.

“So, yeah, I’m really excited about taking them on another expedition.“

Long is an avid adventure racer and recently took part in the TV Series, The World's Toughest Race on Amazon Prime. Next year Penticton and area will be hosting Expedition Canada in the Adventure Racing World Series with Nathalie and the Hoodoo Adventures team at the helm.

“If there is anyone out there that can inspire kids to do something they think they can't do, and to keep going no matter how hard the task may be, it's Nathalie,” added Hill. “Her cause to get kids on expeditions is very fitting for the accomplishment she has just achieved, I can't be more proud of her or proud to have her on our Hoodoo team.”

To support the Everesting for Kids fundraiser and help Hoodoo Adventures and the Youth Outdoor Recreation Society to get kids away from their screens and into the wild, you can donate by clicking here.