Jimmy Moran, a member of Team Greens+, recently climbed Mt. Hood as part of a long-term goal of scaling some of the highest peaks around the world. Mt. Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon at 11,245 feet. It is also the second most climbed mountain in the world, after Japan’s Mount Fuji, according to National Geographic. Mt. Hood was formed from lava flows, with the main cone taking shape about 500,000 years ago. The mountain is popular for its outdoor activities: skiing, hiking, fishing, biking and camping. The mountain overlooks the Hood River Valley, which is one of the largest fruit-growing regions in the state. Local crops include apricots, apples, blueberries, pears and wine grapes.
Of his recent his climb of Mt. Hood, Moran says, “Don’t let the size of the mountain fool you. It is very challenging, so much so that at around 9,000 feet I had to turn around due to weather. This is a very hard thing to do when you have spent so much time and money to get to the top. It makes not making it even that much more of a letdown. On the flip side, when you do make it, that is when the whole thing feels like it came together and you are on a high that lasts a lifetime.
“In order to get more of those highs, you have to know when to trust your decision and live to climb another day. Any activity is very hard at high altitude. Simple things like opening your water bottle become a major task when you are wearing big gloves and the wind is blowing 50-plus miles an hour, while your hanging on to the side of a mountain that sometimes doesn’t want you there. But that’s also what makes it so interesting!
“I bring the Greens + Veggie capsules on trips. They are easier for me to use in capsule form than powder. I also use Pro Relief every day; I feel it helps me with inflammation and soreness. The protein bars work great and they are easy to transport in your pack.”
