It’s not often that a twenty-one-year-old female college student both discovers who her personal hero is AND gets the chance to meet him within a two-week span.  Then again, it’s probably less-often that said college student’s hero is a forty-four year old male outdoor writer. I mean, our idols usually consist of some combination of Oprah, Lady Gaga, and Tina Fey; ability to discuss crampons and summit trips rarely factors into the young woman’s hero-worship.  Keeping this in mind, you can imagine my surprise when I grabbed award-winning author Mark Obmascik’s book, Halfway to Heaven, and discovered an immediate kinship with this forty-something father of three. And what’s more, I get to meet him at next week’s Fourteener’s Initiative kickoff in Avon, CO.
Mark Obmascik
First, a bit about me. My name is Brianne Holland-Stergar, and I’m the Colorado Fourteener Initiative’s summer development and marketing intern. I’m thrilled to be a part of an organization that does so much for the mountain environment for which I have so much respect and love. Then of course, there’s the added bonus of being able to help plan awesome events like the kick-off in Avon this week, which (as mentioned above) features a book signing by Mr. Obmascik.
Brianne (me), CFI's Business Development and Marketing Intern
So back to my newfound obsession with Mark Obmascik. Lloyd, CFI’s executive director and my boss, let me borrow Halfway to Heaven during one of my lunch breaks. Frankly, I just wanted something to peruse during my daily picnic in the park next to our office, but as I began reading I found myself immensely amused by Obmascik’s uproariously humorous voice. His writing possess qualities reminiscent of esteemed humorists like Patrick McManus and Dave Barry, and I guffawed audibly at Obmascik’s retelling of his quest to climb all of the Fourteeners in one summer.
Halfway to Heaven; Grab your copy Tuesday!
I recognized so much of myself in his stories; I too have been found mistaking a meandering elk for a vicious bear, and possess a proclivity towards Kit-Kat and donut-filled breakfasts in preparation for long hikes.   Then, the history major in me was fascinated by the historical anecdotes that one finds interspersed with the retellings of Obmascik’s own adventures. He has an uncanny ability to appeal universally to college kids, outdoor buffs, couch potatoes, office dwellers, history professors; really, any literate individual would find immeasurable pleasure strewn throughout the pages of this award-winning volume.
My interest in this man is only furthered by the fact that one of his other works, The Big Year, formed the basis of last year’s movie starring Owen Wilson, Jack Black, and Steve Martin. Translation: this guy has a direct connection to the holy trilogy of comedic actors. What more can a girl ask for?
To sum up, let me just first reiterate how thankful I am to be working for CFI this summer. I’m truly blessed to be able to come into the office and participate in such meaningful (and fun) work.
Finally, you better RSVP (email cfi@14ers.org) to join me at the CFI Kickoff event at Walking Mountain Science Center in  Avon on June 26th (next Tuesday). It’s going to be awesome – full of CFI info (I’ve seen a rough draft of the video that will be shown detailing CFI’s work on Mount of the Holy Cross – so cool) and the chance to mix and mingle at the 6:30 reception. Then of course there’s Obmascik. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll allow you to infiltrate my monopoly over his time and say hello.
