California School for the DeafMiddle School

May 18, 2010

Presenter Heidi Zimmer

Seven Summits

• summit =– 1) the highest point, peak

• continent =– 1) mainland– 2) great divisions of land on the globe

How many great divisions of land on the globe

(continents)?

Denali (Mt. McKinley) 20,320’ Mt. Vinson 16,067' Aconcagua 22,834' Mt. Kosiusko 7,310’Mt. Elbrus 18,510' Carstensz Pyramid 16,023' Kilimanjaro 19,340' Mt. Everest 29,035’

Australasia or Meganesia

• Country– Australia– Irian Jaya

• Mountain– Mt. Kosiusko– Carstensz Pyramid

• Height– 7,310 feet– 16,023 feet

What made me want to pursue a

mountaineering career?

What make me want to pursue a

mountaineering career?

My personal jigsaw puzzle: to offer make the big picture

Step by step process

Vision

My personal jigsaw puzzle: to offer make the

big picture

Childhood

Classic “Heidi”

Natural Athletic Talent

Challenge and Adventure

Parents

Deaf Role Models and Deaf Culture

Childhood

The house in Tempe was built some time between 1915 and 1919.

Classic “Heidi”

• Book and film is famous classic “Heidi”

• Actress - Shirley Temple acting out “Heidi” in the 1950’s film.

• Influence of my “name”• Switzerland

Classic “Heidi”

• “I will climb the mountain someday.”

Natural Athletic Talent

• Involvement in the Deaflympics: 1969 and 1973

• Variety of volleyball teams and Track and Field teams in Junior High School, High School, and University

Challenge and Adventure

• My passion: mental and physical challenges and adventure!

Heidi - Outward Bound student

Heidi and Sally crossed United States by bicycle when we were college students.

Parents

Culture

History

Famous Biography

Motto “Never Give Up, Try Again” and “Climb Every Mountain”

Deaf Role Models and Deaf Culture

• Dr. Larry Newman, former Math teacher and former NAD President

• “DO IT”• Deaf Culture and other

role models

Step By Step ProcessThe steps:

bottom line: experience through Backpack trips

taking the courses• Outward Bound School• Basic Mountain Training Course • Glacier Travel and Ice Climbing

gaining experience• member of Sierra Club

training • biking and running on the hill, carry a

load on the hill,plus more exercises

Vision• Why not!

– In 1983 Dick Bass and Frank Wells set out on the ultimate peakbaggers’ odyssey: to climb the highest point on every continent.

• Goal:– Mt. Everest– Seven Summits– oldest woman

Record of the oldest Person

– Yuichiro Miura, a 75 year old Japan, has become the oldest climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

– Tame Watanobe, a 63 year old Japanese woman, has become the oldest woman climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Concept of what mountaineering is like? Including expedition trips :

Mountaineering and Climbing Slides of Mountaineering style

Mountaineering

Mountaineering, there are differences between rock climbing, wall climbing, and ice climbing.

Rock Climbing

Ice Climbing

Wall Climbing

Slides of Mountaineering

style

Cervasse

Denali

June 13, 1991 at 5:00 PM

HEIDI ZIMMERFirst Deaf Woman

Denaliin North America

Co-Deaf Authors

Mabs Holcomb and Sharon Kay Wood

Summary• Goal:

– determination to finish the task at hand– not easy due to money and resource

• Commercial Expedition fees (only land costs):– Mt. Vinson $34,450– Carstensz Pyramind $18,000– Aconcagua $ 4,000– Mt. Everest $65,000-85,000 (for South Col. Route)

lots of sacrifices!• Goal to complete Seven Summits:

– four more to go» Mt. Vinson December 2010» Carstensz Pyramind September-October 2011» Aconcagua February 2012» Mt. Everest March-May 2013

Summary• Goal:

– lots of sacrifices!

“What do you love doing?” “Adventure” I answered. “So where is the most adventurous place to do what

you love, be challenged?”

Heidi ZimmerDeaf Woman Mountaineer/Adventurer

Achievement• Commitment:

– Keep my goal– Follow your dream– Don’t let anyone tell you it is impossible; instead work hard and

take advantage of opportunity– NEVER GIVE UP

• Possibility:– Use all the possibilities open to you now

• Take risk, be creative, solve problems, be willing to try different ways even if they are uncomfortable

• Make mistakes, continue to evolve and grow

Achievement• Action:

– Do it

• Quality of Life:– PAH! Completing the “big four” - commitment, possibility,

action, and quality of life– Victory– Joy/Happiness– FULFILLMENT

Summary

“The main obstacle to progress in our community is the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind people who

want to change everything..or nothing.”

Heidi ZimmerDeaf Woman Mountaineer/Adventurer

More information, check on my website:

www.heidizimmer.com