Last modified: Thursday, August 30, 2007 12:45 PM PDT Jordan Bainbridge (left) and her father Brent Bainbridge take a moment to pose for a picture after the two reached the summit of Mount Borah in July. Locals climb to new heights By Ronald Bond — Argus Observer Ontario — A group of local residents recently took on Mount Borah, the highest peak in the state of Idaho with the goal of reaching the summit. Of the ten members that began the ascent, two members, Brent Bainbridge and his daughter, recent Ontario High School graduate Jordan Bainbridge, scaled the entire 12,662 foot mountain, reaching the summit after climbing alone from the 10,000 foot level. Eight of the climbers made it to the 8,000 foot mark. Six climbers, including Brent, Julie and Jordan Bainbridge, Bob Davis and Paul and Rosa Erlebach, reached 10,000. From that point Brent and Jordan Bainbridge went alone and made it to the top of the peak. The task, however, was one that didn’t come easy, especially in that final stretch, starting at what is known as “Chicken-out Ridge.” “There’s some portions of it where it’s almost a vertical climb,” Brent Bainbridge said. “Once you get started your always questioning yourself...It’s just one of those things (where) without experience you could be in bad shape.” And experience is something that the Bainbridges didn’t have a lot of. Brent Bainbridge said they had hiked the Seven Devils near Riggins and had some rock wall climbing experience, but that was about the extent of it. “I had no idea it was going to be that hard,” Jordan Bainbridge said. “I thought it was going to be a little day hike. It was about 8,000 or 10,000 feet when I realized how hard it would be. It was the hardest thing in my life physically and mentally. I can honestly say that. Chicken-out Ridge was the scariest part in the whole thing.” Still, the two pressed on, and when they reached the summit, Brent Bainbridge said the feeling was almost indescribable. “When we got to the summit, the wind died, the sun came out, it’s almost like being in an airplane it’s so high,” he said. “Almost like a religious experience.” “It’s like amazing,” Jordan Bainbridge added of the view. “It’s nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s so high up there. Nothing like I thought it was going to be.” Brent Bainbridge said they were actually very fortunate the weather cooperated and several other factors played in their favor. “Just in hindsight, the danger factor (was high),” he said. “People should have a climbing guide. It’s so easy to get into trouble. Even though we summited, it was a great experience (and) got great photographs. On the other hand, one little misstep (and) one of us or both of us could’ve been hurt badly or died. With our lack of experience it could’ve been a bad deal. “I feel lucky that we got through there without a mishap.” He said he took a lot of time to research and talk to others who had made the climb, but still wasn’t completely prepared for what the mountain had to offer. “I underestimated what we got into,” he said. “I didn’t think it would be that technical. Mentally and physically you were stressed. My message would be do your research. If you don’t have rockclimbing experience, do it with a guide or someone that has a lot of experience. You can go up there thinking you’re on this nice little hike, but it’s a difficult mountain...and can be extremely dangerous.” The climb, however, hasn’t discouraged those who made the trip from doing it again. “I’m like hooked on it now,” Jordan Bainbridge said. “I think I would do Mount Borah again. Now that we know what were doing it would be a lot easier.” Brent Bainbridge said, however, he will be better prepared next time. “We have plans now to climb Mount Hood next summer, but we’re going to do it with a guide,” he said. “Bob wants to climb Mount Borah again too, but (also) with a guide.”