Metro
Men Of The Mountain
Detroiters build new relationships one step at a time
while climbing in Mount Rainier National Park.
Steven J. Tapper
Special to the Jewish News
Ashford, Wash.
A
year ago, a photograph on the
health club wall at the Jewish
Community Center in West
Bloomfield showed 20 men, accomplished
and proud, after hiking the mountains.
The history of this group goes back to
10 national parks in 10 years. Professional
guides add to the experience as if this were
a college course in "Mountain Hiking and
the Environment!'
Alumni from the Detroit area include
Mark Diem, Leo Eisenberg, Larry Cohen,
John Slaim, Jeff Sermon, Gerry Kalman,
Earl Rudner, Mary Shulman, Paul Harris,
Tony Spokojny, Bill Greenberg, Mike Cutler,
Bob Silverman, Bob Baer, Rick Stoler,
Harvey Chayet, Howard Grossman, Alan
Hayman, Dennis Park, Mike Clinton, Bernie
Zager, David Gumenick, Neil Blazofsky,
Rick Tyner, Dean Victor and myself. Other
alums are Dennis Haley and Terry Hansen,
both from the Flint area, and former
Detroiters Steve Blum, from San Diego, and
Ron Myers, from Scottsdale.
Dr. Ricky Stoler has done the plan-
ning for these yearly trips, organizing and
arranging every detail, sending e-mail mes-
sages, providing information and giving
advice. Going on this trip demands that we
become more physically fit; the idea of hik-
ing in the mountains is an opportunity to
challenge our ability and test our strength.
Equally important is the chance to create
lasting friendships.
With our boots broken in and equipment
ready, the day of departure finally arrives.
The plane departs and our destination is
that much closer. We arrive in Seattle very
late at night. Welcomed by the three park
rangers hired to guide us and lead us safely
up the mountain, they also drive the vans.
Driving into the night, they finally bring us
to the Nisqually Lodge, our respite for our
four-night stay.
Early morning comes; it is time for
us to meet the day. We wander down the
road a piece to get breakfast and pick up
our bagged lunches as we prepare to go
to Paradise — and Paradise it is. That is
the name of the mountain we are about to
climb.
With snow-covered peaks and blue
16
February 4 4. 2010
Mount Hood in the distanfe. "It
was so clear, it felt like we could see
forever," said Steven Tiipper.
Mount Rainier, reflecting off Steven Tapper
sunglasses