Aiming high

Andrew Glazer

The leader of the Trailblazers chose the highest mountain in the

continental United States to make his point.

“I believe we can all succeed at our own pace,” said 33-year-old Tracy

Young, head coach of the team of adults with developmental disabilities

who will attempt to reach the summit of Mount Whitney in June.

The green-eyed and goateed Young works at Project Independence, a local

nonprofit organization that helps disabled adults find jobs.

Three years ago, the organization started a program called Access to

Adventure. Participants in the program have traveled to Europe, raced in

the Newport-Ensenada Yacht race and hiked on multi-day expeditions.

“We tell employers, ‘we have people who have climbed the highest

mountain, we have people who have raced in the world’s largest

international yacht race,’ ” Young said. “We say ‘here’s what they can

do.’ ”

Thursday, the six Trailblazers scaled up the artificial rock walls at

Rockreation, an indoor climbing gym on Logan Avenue in Costa Mesa.

“I’m really excited,” said Ryan Lundstrom, 20, as he learned to tie a

safety rope to his harness. He chalked his hands and scurried up the

vertical wall.

Lundstrom, who lives in Garden Grove, said he’s anxious to climb the

14,500-foot Mount Whitney. He and his teammates have been training since

January.

“I’m not all ready yet,” he said. “But I will be. When the time comes

around, I will be.”

Volunteers like 36-year-old Dean Lindstrom, a climbing instructor at

Rockreation, said they are impressed with the Trailblazers’ enthusiasm.

“They’re always so stoked and motivated,” said Lindstrom, whose legs seem

to have twice as many muscles as the average human. “It really inspires

me. When I’m having a bad day, I look at Ryan’s enthusiasm and can’t help

but feel great.”

The gusto of Tim Jones, who has Down Syndrome, visibly juiced up his

spectators as he scaled another wall.

“I’m so proud of you!” shouted Shannon Garnos, 28, the Trailblazers’

assistant coach who held his rope. “Just one step at a time!”

Jones, 27, paused at an overhang and decided to repel down.

“That was my first time and it was a lot of fun,” he said, once both his

feet were perpendicular to the ground again.

Young strolled around the gym, cheering on his team. He seemed especially

proud when he saw one of the Trailblazers cheering on another.

“People with disabilities aren’t accustomed to feeling important,” he

said. “But they’re supporting each other.”