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 Christina
Rice is a personal trainer and instructor at Pinecrest Health and
Fitness who doesn't take her fitness lightly. A Kendall resident and
native of Miami Beach, her love of exercise and climbing began when
she was a little girl, sparked by family trips to mountainous areas.
Ever since, Christina has enjoyed all kinds of physical activity, a
positive outlet in her life.
They're on top of Mount Rainier at 10,410 feet and reading the
Pinecrest Tribune. Pictured are (left to right) Rainier guide Chris
Keen, trainer Christina Rice and climber Ryan Sorsdahl
With a BA in criminal justice, Christina, 31, realized
that being in an office environment all day wasn't for her. She
decided to switch gears and work as a personal trainer and spin
instructor at the Pinecrest Gym, while studying for a second Bachelor
of Arts degree in Florida International University's physical
education program.
"I want to develop fitness programs for young
children," Christina explained. "Especially classes to help
overweight kids feel good about themselves through physical
activity."
Christina views physical accomplishment as a vehicle
to meet personal goals in every area of life. She saw mountain
climbing as her next personal conquest.
"If I can climb these mountains, I can do
anything," she said.
Her first test is to climb the famous Mt. Rainier. At
14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the highest volcanic peak in the
Cascades, a range of mountains that stretches from British Columbia to
Northern California.
Called the "training ground for the Himalayan
Mountains and for Alaska's Mt. McKinley," it's sharp ascent and
glaciers make it particularly strenuous and challenging, even for the
most experienced climbers.
"Approximately 11,000 climbers attempt Mount
Rainier yearly; about half make it to the top," Christina said in
a recent interview.
How does someone living at sea level train for such an
event?
In 1998, Christina began training on the Colorado
"14ers," a mountain range with peaks as high as 14,000 feet.
She designed her own training program, one that focused on
strengthening and conditioning her body with weights, running and
spinning. Christina trained hard for three months, getting up at 5
a.m. six days a week, for her ascent up Mount Rainier, the hardest
endurance climb in the lower 48 states.
"It was important to me to climb and enjoy every
step I took," said Christina. "I didn't want to go up
struggling; I wanted to enjoy the view. On Mount Rainier, you go from
5,000 feet to 14,410 feet very rapidly. We left 5,000 feet at 9 a.m.
and went to 10,000 feet in five-and-a-half hours."
Then Christina slept for a few hours and left for the
summit at 2 in the morning. At 9 a.m. they reached the top of Rainier.
"I have never seen something so beautiful,"
Christina exclaimed. "The sun was just coming up, hitting the
blue ice on the glacier and onto the clouds below. I felt like I was
in heaven."
With the temperature at 25 degrees without wind chill,
Christina wore a heavy down parka and had to use special climbing
ropes, cramp-ons, an ice axe and headlamps, not to mention constant
food consumption. For Christina, it was PP&J's, Pop Tarts,
Gatorade, anything to refuel her energy.
Anyone who climbs Rainier is advised to do it with
experienced guides, obtained through Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.
These experienced escorts are specially trained and experienced for
the tough mountain conditions, including avalanches, whiteouts,
frostbite and tough terrain.
"Everyone at the gym was so excited for me,"
Christina said. "I felt a great deal of support and encouragement
that truly helped to power me up there. My family was very encouraging
as well."
Christina's grandfather had the courage to ask about
the obvious.
"How do you got to the bathroom out there?"
he said.
"You go in front of everyone," said
Christina. "But, it's understood that no one is supposed to
look."
Christina has even higher aspirations for the future.
"I would like to go to Nepal and trek into the
Everest base camp there," she said.
Height? 17,5000 feet.
"I would like to climb as many mountains as I can
in the future," she said.
The sky's the limit for Christina Rice.
Have an idea for Inside Pinecrest? Call me at
305-665-6783 or E-mail: Kaskcom@AOl.com.
Hope you're having a great summer!
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