LSC Athletics

Lyndon State Associate Dean, AD conquer Mount Kilimanjaro

John Kascenska, left, and Chris Ummer atop

Mount Kilimanjaro's 19,340-foot summitt

LYNDON CENTER, Vt. - John Kascenska, the Associate Academic Dean at Lyndon State College, and LSC Athletic Director Chris Ummer recently returned from a successful climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trek was Kascenska’s fourth climb of “Kili” and the first for Ummer.

Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb; in fact, it has been called the world’s highest walkable mountain, so climbers do not use ropes or special climbing equipment or oxygen, as do those on Everest and others. There is little that can be done to prepare for the altitude, so climbers rely on a slow pace with an appropriate number of days for their bodies to adjust.

At 19,340 feet (5395 meters), Kilimanjaro took Kascenska and Ummer through five climate zones on their way to the top, from rainforest to arctic environments; temperatures can range from 85 degrees to below zero. Few escape the effects of altitude, the major challenge on the trail. Sleeping becomes difficult, breathing can become labored due to the low oxygen levels, and a general feeling of unwellness can rob hikers of their energy. Physical training beforehand is critical.

Prior to heading out, the two talk about what to expect on the climb, how to cope with problems, how the altitude can affect the body, and they completed an equipment and gear check. Their guides attended this pre-climb session, explained their roles in terms of what can be expected of them and what they expected of the climbers. Meals were complete and well-balanced. Breakfast and dinner are hot meals, and lunch is typical trail food (sandwiches and fruit).

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park web site reports that approximately 15,000 people attempt the climb each year, and about half of those are successful.

REPORTING DATES FOR LSC FALL ATHLETES

Men’s Soccer

Report Dates: Tuesday, Aug. 19 or Wednesday, Aug. 20 to assist in fundraising efforts at Caledonia County Fair.

Lodging: Accommodations from Tuesday, Aug. 19 through Thursday, Aug. 28 will be the Stannard Gymnasium. All interested individuals must bring a blanket, sleeping bag and pillow. Mattresses will be provided. On Thursday, Aug. 28 all team members will move into their respective residence halls at 3 p.m.

Meals: Daily meals will be on your own until Monday, Aug. 25 at which time Aramark will provided meals in the Stevens Dining Hall. A daily schedule of meals is forthcoming from Aramark.

Formal practice: The team will hold an organizational meeting on Saturday, Aug. 23 in Stannard Gymnasium at 10 a.m. At that time, all necessary paperwork for participation will be completed, issues that involve the athletic training staff will be addressed and an on-field workout is planned for the afternoon. All team members must have their physical examination paperwork in by that date or bring it with them in order to practice on the first day of preseason training. Formal practice sessions will begin shortly thereafter.

Personal belongings: All team members who wish to bring their personal belongings for the school year may do so and leave them in Stannard Gymnasium until such time it is possible to move into the residence halls.

For more information contact LSC Head Men’s Soccer Coach Pete Kellaway at (802) 334-2282 or (802) 673-8815.

Women’s Soccer

Report Dates: Wednesday, Aug. 20 to assist in fundraising efforts at Caledonia County Fair.

Lodging: Accommodations from Wednesday, Aug. 20 through Wednesday, Aug. 27 will be the Bole Gymnasium. All interested individuals must bring a blanket, sleeping bag and pillow. Mattresses will be provided. On Wednesday, Aug. 28 all team members will move into their respective residence halls from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Meals: Daily meals will be on your own until Monday, Aug. 25 at which time Aramark will provided meals in the Stevens Dining Hall. A daily schedule of meals is forthcoming from Aramark.

Formal practice: The team will hold three-a-day practices from Monday, Aug. 25 through Friday, Aug. 29. Practices will be held during that time period from 8 to 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. All team members are expected to be on the field – stretched and warmed-up – by the time practice is scheduled to begin. All team members will have the weekend of Aug. 30 & 31 off.

Personal belongings: All team members who wish to bring their personal belongings for the school year may do so and leave them in Bole Gymnasium until such time it is possible to move into the residence halls.

For more information contact LSC Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jim Davis at (802) 535-4709.

Volleyball & Cross Country

The LSC Volleyball and Cross Country programs will report to campus on Wednesday, Aug. 27 and begin formal practice sessions shortly thereafter. Lodging and meals on and after this date are the same as listed above.

For more information on the LSC Volleyball program contact Head Coach Sean Fisher at (802) 429-2072 or (301) 943-0027. For information on the Lyndon State Cross Country team, contact Head Coach Chris Ummer at (802) 626-6224 or (802) 748-2094.

Women's Tennis

The LSC Women's Tennis program will begin formal practice on Tuesday, Sept. 2. For more information, contact Head Coach Mary Lou Bell at (802) 626-5013 or mary.bell@lyndonstate.edu.