For those of you that would like to join me…

During this project, I have had to make many hard decisions. One of
which was who would be on my team. Many, many people wanted to hike
Whitney with me and I have had to turn them down because our permit
only allows a certain number of people for my team.
But now, everyone who wanted to climb can hike up about four miles on
the first day (July 9) to what veteran Whitney climber, John Morris,
says is one of his favorite places in the world, a stunning meadow. It
is there that the "real" send off will be. So if you would like to join
me, email me at zacyork@gmail.com for more information. I hope you come
join me! Until then, -zy

Mothers Day

This week in honor of Mothers Day, I am dedicating my journal entry
to all the Moms that cancer has touched, those that I have met along my
journey, and all of them that have helped me.
I would especially like to dedicate it to my Mom. She has helped me get
through some of the toughest trials and tribulations of my life. I
surely would not be where I am today if it wasn't for you. Thanks for
all that you do Mama! Happy Mothers Day, I love you so much!

My Crew

Climbing Mt. Whitney is something I can’t do by myself yet. So for the time being, I have enlisted a crew of very special people to help me reach my goal. Each one brings something crucial to the team; whether it is years of experience hiking Whitney, practical knowledge about nutrition and cooking for twelve hikers, training in emergency medical treatment, understanding how to accommodate for my physical limitations and motivating me to “push through”, skill with video equipment to film our hike, or sheer strength and muscle to schlep five days worth of equipment for 12 people up the mountain. Each one is instrumental to our goal. Each one is instrumental to my growth as a person, climber and survivor.

Meet “Team Zac”:

Chris Wimpey
aka Old Skool
My Dad, who I was training to climb with when I was 12. He is my right hand man. Two-time Whitney summiter so he knows what he's talkin' about.

Elizabeth Wimpey
Hailing from Whitefish, Montana, she is my Aunt. She is a very accomplished mountaineer and also an expert cook at high altitudes. On this climb, she is spearheading the nutrition along with Sherri.

Catherine Wimpey
aka Tia Loca
My Aunt, coming all the way from Rabat, Morocco, where she is an educator of young children, she is a very strong mountaineer. Last summer, she was a member of a party of four that summited Mt. Whitney. The team was Old
Skool, Elizabeth, Randy Ferris, and Catherine.

David Weck
BOSU Guru
Personal trainer, first time "big boy" hike .

Jen Weck
Mrs. BOSU Guru
Strong and well conditioned. Doesn't give up without a fight.

John Morris
Old Man of the Mountain
Multiple Whitney assents, Team Zac’s official videographer. Knows his way around the mountain. This will be his first multi-day ascent.

Brian Delgado
“The Manic Hispanic”
Anything but manic, Brian is my mentor from school, and the Dean of Students at High Tech High International. A strong climber and hiker, he has been in total support of the project from the beginning.

Marcus Bell
“The Dean”
Marcus is the Dean at my school, High Tech High. HTH baby, the OB (Original Blood). Marcus is the team’s Strong Man, The Muscle if you will.

Sherri Rothenberger
Personal Trainer, gymnast. Always lands on her feet.

Mark Peery
“Number 2”
Sherpa, Doesn't mind a little pain. A strong hiker, dedicated friend, and spiritual advisor.

Jake Palmer
Coming from Reno, Nevada where he is a fire fighter and ski patroller by day and a new dad by night, which enables him to go for long periods without sleep.
He was also my 8th grade math teacher.
If I can survive that, I can survive ANYTHING.

Zac York
Team leader, The Idea Man
Cancer survivor. Future fundraiser for nonprofits.

So now you know the renegade group of climbers known as Team Zac.
cheers for now, -zy