Mt. Vinson Massif, Antarctica – 16,067’- December 2016

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent with a size one and a half times the size of the United States. It is the coldest, windiest and driest place on Earth. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -128.56 degrees Fahrenheit on July 21, 1983, at Antarctica’s Vostok station. The winds can reach 200mph in some places. Antarctica is considered to be the largest desert in the world because of it’s extremely dry climate. The Antarctic ice sheet is the single biggest mass of ice on Earth and has an average thickness of one mile. Around 70% of the planet’s freshwater is hidden under the Antarctic ice. There are no permanent residents on this continent, but it is dedicated to peaceful research involving 30 countries. During the summer months, it is the home to some 4,000 plus researchers and around 1,000 in the winter season. The highest peak on Antarctica is Mt. Vinson Massif in the Ellsworth Mountains.

My sixth of the Seven Summits began on November 22, 2016, as I left the U.S. for Punta Arenas, Chili. Once in Punta Arenas, I met up with my team and guide, Dave Hahn, for a briefing and gear check. We had a little time for sightseeing as we waited for our opportunity to start this journey. You see, just getting to Antarctica is an adventure! The first step involves flying a Russian llyushin ll-76 cargo plane for a five-hour flight to the blue ice runway at Union Glacier, then taking a Twin Otter for an hour long flight to the base of Mt. Vinson Massif…and all of this is determined by weather. We ended up having a couple of days of delays, along with anxious anticipation. As with the previous climbs, I trained for many months in preparation to make this another successful summit. What was difficult to prepare for with this mountain was the extreme temperatures and high winds. With the temperature consistently around -10F to -20F (sometimes higher), plus factoring in the wind chills, it was a cold like I had never experienced. We went through a 36-hour storm at Camp 1 with wind gusts of 80 and 90mph! It was definitely a test of my will and determination on whether I would see the top of the mountain. There is always a “make or break” moment on every climb, and this was it for me. As we waited out the storm in our sleeping bags, the intensity of the winds destroying our tent made the situation extremely tense and stressful. When the storm passed, I realized I had pulled a muscle in my back that would make climbing difficult. With the encouragement of my team and a day of rest to work it out, I was able to overcome the doubt and uncertainty of moving forward. Through this and many challenges, our team successfully summitted Mt. Vinson Massif on December 7, 2016. I had a team of three other accomplished climbers, and we were privileged to climb with the best mountaineer in the world, Dave Hahn. From beginning to end, it truly was an adventure. The end of a great climb like this is very emotional for me as I realize another dream come true.

Mt. McKinley, Alaska - 20,320' - July 2013

Mt. McKinley, also known as Denali, is the tallest mountain in North America. It is considered to be the third tallest in the world; however, by another measure is taller than Mt. Everest. There is a distinction between measuring "highest" and "tallest". The highest peak is determined by measuring a mountain's highest point above sea level. The tallest mountain is measured from base to summit. Using that measurement, Mt. McKinley is taller than Mt. Everest because it rises 18,000 feet from its base, which is a greater vertical rise than Everest's 12,000 feet rise from its base of 17,000 feet. The mountain's extreme cold, with the possibility of temperatures at -75F and a wind chill of -118F, can freeze a human in an instant. There is an automated weather station at 18,700'.

Mt. McKinley was the fifth mountain on my quest to become the 15th American to complete the Adventure Grand Slam. This was my most technical climb to date. It was the first time I would be pulling a 40lb sled in addition to carrying an 80lb backpack. Weather was great for the first week or so going up. Despite a scary fall into a crevasse on the third day, everything was perfect. By the time we reached Camp 4 at 14,000' (the last camp before High Camp and then summit), threatening weather began to appear. We were delayed there a couple of extra days longer than planned. The traverse up to High Camp at 17,200' was difficult, but we were focused and determined. Once we got there and had a time of rest, our summit attempt was delayed further by bad weather. There is always something to be done while waiting, but weather delays make passing time much harder. It's during those times when fear sets in, and you start doubting whether you'll make it. We had a small window of opportunity on July 5th, and we took it. Tears of joy and gratefulness take over at the top. Because of the harsh conditions at the summit, there was only time enough to take some pictures, reflect on the accomplishment, and leave. On the day of summit, it was 14 hours from the time we left High Camp and then returned. Coming down can actually be more dangerous than going up. Fatigue, weight loss, and being anxious can play a part in mistakes made. It was an amazing adventure, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have been on top of the world once again.

Mt. Aconcagua, Argentina - 22,841' - February 2011

Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America. It is the highest mountain outside of Asia and the second highest peak among the Seven Summits. The climbing season begins in November goes through March. The weather on Mt. Aconcagua is severe and, at times, extreme. It is one of the most common obstacles getting to the top. These weather conditions, from one extreme to another, can happen all at once.

As I set out to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the questions I asked myself were that of training and mental preparedness. "Was it enough to achieve my goal of reaching the summit?" The second climb, Mt. Elbrus, stressed the importance of teamwork as we traversed steep slopes and crevasses roped together, all the while enduring extreme weather conditions. Although Mt. Kosciuszko was the least challenging in terms of physical difficulty, I learned that I can have an impact on others by sharing goals, dreams, and fears.

All these experiences bring me to my fourth and most challenging climb. Even though the previous mountains prepared me for Mt. Aconcagua, there were some things I was not prepared for.

It's really hard to know where to start on this journey. The first of the challenges began as we reached Camp 2. A blizzard blew in causing the team to question their resolve in reaching the top. Although blizzards are not unusual, and we are generally prepared for them, being confined to a tent for three days will have a negative effect on your mental state. During this difficult situation, my tentmate confessed to me that he was not confident he would summit. He felt like he was the weakest link on the team. I tried to encourage and support him without letting his negativity interfere with my own personal goal of summiting the mountain. Unfortunately after reaching High Camp and attempting the summit, he was unable to finish; in part, I believe, because he told himself he couldn't do it. The solitude of those three days, along with my tentmate's struggle to find his own strength and focus to succeed, made this climb tougher than I could have imagined; and the worst was yet to come.

As the storm blew in, a team from Great Britain decided to move on to High Camp and attempt the summit. It was a decision that came at a high price. As the weather cleared, and we made our way to High Camp, we received the news that three members of that team perished in the blizzard. Not only that, but we would likely pass the bodies on our way up. The unimaginable had happened, and even though you know the risks involved, it doesn't prepare you for when real life and death occurs. As difficult as that was, we persevered on to reach the summit. With unbearable weather conditions and the images of the three fellow climbers fresh in our minds, four out of the nine members on my team stood at the top of Mt. Aconcagua with humbled hearts and gratitude for the accomplishment achieved.

The experience on this mountain gave me a greater appreciation for my life and the things that give me purpose. I don't have a death wish as I take on these majestic quests, but I do have a passion to do great things and inspire others to find their dream.

Mt. Kosciuszko, Australia - 7,310' - December 2010

Mt. Kosciuszko is the centerpiece of Australia's largest national park located in the Great Dividing Range of New South Wales. It is the highest mountain on the Australian continent. This is the coldest and snowiest part of Australia, which is mostly a hot continent. The weather can be extremely unpredictable, and climbers are advised to be prepared for all conditions.

Ten months after embarking on my Seven Summits journey, I had reached the top of Mt. Kosciuszko. The hike up the mountain is considered the easiest of the summits as it takes only one day; however, that does not take away from the accomplishment. I decided to climb Kosciuszko in December, their summer season. Even though we were able to avoid the extreme ice and snow of winter, the weather was still unpredictable, and we encountered high winds, snow, rain, and fog. The fog was especially distracting since it reduced our visibility of the surrounding area, making it difficult to see the beauty around us.

Although this was not a physically demanding climb, I always make sure to be well prepared in order to have success. Every expedition is different and offers its own kind of personal insights. This was the third climb in my pursuit of the Adventure Grand Slam, and what began as a selfish endeavor of climbing the Seven Summits became something that allowed me to learn from people of all walks of life as they shared their own life challenges. This experience made me realize that inspiration is a two-way street, and when you open up to others around you, they will respond by sharing their own experiences. This climb might have been an easy one, but I gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of inspiration.

Shark Dive

Being in Australia with the Neptune Islands just a short flight away, I packed away my climbing gear and suited up in diving gear to face one of man's most feared predators, the Great White Shark, otherwise known as "white death".

The next morning, I greeted the divers and crew at 6:30am. Everyone was in high spirits and excited for our once-in-a-lifetime adventure. At 7:00am, we were underway with smooth sailing, hot coffee, and a hardy breakfast. By the time 9:00am rolled around, however, we were experiencing high winds and rough seas, as well as the dreaded sea sickness.

Finally, we arrived at the site and prepared to enter the cold waters. As the dive cage was lowered and the sea sickness forgotten, the exhilaration of a shark sighting took over. Buckets of blood, fish heads, and chum were tossed into the ocean with hopes to lure the sharks to the boat. We suited up in groups of four and eagerly awaited our turn to be lowered into the danger zone.

Within minutes, we had our first Great White sighting! When my turn in the cage began, I immediately spotted one underneath of us. It looked to be 10 feet long as it circled the cage. The shark maneuvered to attack the bait and charged the cage, hitting it with extreme force. In the excitement of the moment, I wanted to reach out and touch, but my better judgment told me that would not be a good idea.

As soon as it appeared, it disappeared. It would be another 20 minutes before we would see another shark. This time the Great White hung around a while, circling us with curiosity. We were in awe of the beauty and gracefulness of this large, dangerous predator. Before I knew it, my time underwater was up. I will never forget this up close and personal experience with one of the most powerful and feared creatures in the ocean.

Mt. Elbrus, Russia - 18,510' - September 2010

Mt. Elbrus is located in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia (near Georgia), Russia. It is an inactive volcano that is recognized as the highest peak in the western Caucasus and all of Europe. Our team was the first to ascend the north face of the mountain.

For any mountaineer, climbing Mt. Elbrus is not easy. The trek to the mountain, as well as the actual climb, is dangerous and challenging. Temperatures at freezing or below are just one of the many difficulties we faced.

Although not a great technical climb, gear such as helmets, ice axes, crampons and harnesses were a necessary part of the climb. The higher we climbed, the level of difficulty increased. High winds, crevasses and steep slopes made it necessary to be roped together. The idea of being roped together as a precaution to save someone from falling creates a stressful situation where you simply must perform at your best, without exception. As a result, the need to have a strong team became apparent. Each team member brings their own strengths or weaknesses, therefore, allowing us to work together for the common goal of reaching the summit. Relying on others is simply what you must do to achieve feats greater than yourself.

On our way down the mountain, we encountered a Russian military helicopter that had crashed a few days earlier. We met the Russian Army and had an unforgettable experience; let's just say there was an arm wrestling contest, partaking of some homemade Russian vodka and beer, and a plunge into the mineral springs. Learning about the culture and people on these adventures is equally as rewarding as the expedition itself.

Mt. Kilimanjaro - 19,340' - February 2010

Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, is located just over 211 miles south of the equator in Tanzania. It is a great mountain to begin one's quest for the biggest mountaineering challenge on Earth. It has three dormant volcanic cones named Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira that are often snow covered and not without its own list of dangers. This is where I begin my journey of climbing the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, otherwise known as the Adventure Grand Slam.

When people think of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, they may think of it as a hike more than anything else. In my experience, that is a very casual way of regarding a task that requires serious physical and mental preparation. It is by no means as technical a climb as other mountains, but it was still a test of mental preparedness and physical conditioning. Each climb has its own unique challenges. In the case of Kilimanjaro, weather conditions tested our will as we encountered rain every day, hail on two occasions, and snow on our way to the summit.

Although considered a beginner's level, this climb was a serious undertaking. I spent 12 weeks physically and mentally preparing for the difficult task ahead. I knew that attitude and training were going to be big factors in my success on the mountain. I wanted to be in top condition to have the best experience possible. I attribute my success to having a well-defined plan set in place and being able to focus and adapt to any circumstance thrown at me. Not everyone was as successful. There were some who started the journey, but did not finish. This experience not only tested my physical endurance, but it revealed mental perseverance as well. You take away a greater understanding of the possibilities you are capable of.