The Schmidt Family

Fully half our team consisted of the Schmidt Family. Dale, 47, and Dori, 46, own a company that prepares medical school aspirants to take the MCAT entrance exam. They brought their four boys along, and though the family's collective climbing resume did not list any major mountains, they did bring an impressive list of ice climbing successes including "The Devil's Thumb" and "Ham and Eggs." As well, they brought a physical presence which testified to their promise in this endeavor. Dale stands 6' 4", Dori 6', Benjamin (19) 6' 4", Josh (17) 6' 3", and twins Jeremy (14) 6' 3", and Nathaniel "Nano" (14) 6' 1". I imagined easily sneaking my gear into their packs without them knowing it. 


It was fun watching the Schmidt boys. Like any brothers they would pick at each other during moments when boredom offered no better alternative. But it was always good-natured and the brother receiving it would typically just ignore the fact that a sibling was pulling his ear or jabbing a finger between his shoulder blades. Just as often they would hang off each other like tired puppies or drape an arm across the shoulders of one another. Sometimes I would miss my own boys as I watched the Schmidts.


The warmth and personable nature of Dori and Dale set the tone for the members of the family crossing over to become members of a larger team. I looked forward to this dynamic and was pleased to connect quickly with the boys, who showed enthusiasm for my tattoos, labeling them "sick"  ...which means good.