On days like this, we not only take time to reflect on an event that has impacted all of our lives 9/11......but we take stock of our own situations.  11 Years ago I remember where I was on September 11th.  I was in college for my Senior Year at Valparaiso.  I had no idea that I would fast forward to 10 years later, 1 year ago, to the summit of Capitol Peak in the Elk Range.  I was with my good buddy Chris Tomer, and I was 45 peaks in to my quest to become the first person to Camp on the Summit of Every Colorado 14er. 

Once year later, today, September 11th, 2012, I find myself taking stock of the past year that has elapsed.  It has been an unbelievable ride.  Not only did I finish the bivys project in style, I was able to write a book about the adventure, and get that book out in less than a year! The book "Sleeping on the Summit: Colorado 14er High Bivys" is flying off the shelves, and Chris and I are very appreciative for everything and everyone out there who has been following our adventures. 

Over the winter this past year, I carried my training over and then left for Everest in April.  I had no idea that I would be part of the biggest tragedy on Everest since 1996.

On May 19th and 20th, I went for my first summit attempt of Everest.

The weather and the winds were not forecasted to increase until the afternoon of the 20th.  I thought I would have plenty of time to summit and get down before the winds and bad weather hit.  Unfortunately the weather turned violent in the early morning hours of the 20th, much too early.  I turned around less than 1000 feet (300m) from the summit.  What I witnessed on my ascent and descent that night was one of the deadliest nights in the History of Mount Everest. Up to 7 people died, and others went missing. I did what I could for people around me, and members of my team bonded together to make it to safety on Everest.  I made sure I was ok up there that night, and got down safely, but Still there were many that passed away that night that we couldn't help and to their families I send my most respectful condolences.

Everyone wants to know more about what happened on that fateful night, but more importantly, what happened in the days after.

In 2012, I overcame unbelievable adversity and essentially climbed Mount Everest twice, making the summit in a second attempt with My great climbing friends including Jangbu Sherpa, and Canada's Sandra Leduc and her Sherpa Chawong.  We were all fortunate to be strong enough to return less than a week later to make it all the way to the top of the world.

As I sit here and reflect on this past year, I am truly thankful and grateful for what God has given me.....he's given me great friends, a ton of fun book events and projects to continue to work on, many more days in the mountains, and a life that I have always dreamed of living to the fullest. 

But this is only the beginning.....I am going to keep on pushing forward, and please follow along as I have big plans for the coming year....more mountains will be climbed (Going to PAKISTAN!), summits will be slept on top, and some climbing expeditions will happen, and I will keep this blog updated, so stay tuned!

This past week was a great example of how I continue to push myself.  As fall colors are starting to come out, it was an awesome week...... many folks out there ask me what I do to train for climbing big mountains....here is a sampling of this past week:

Monday Sept 3. Labor Day:  Climbed Snowmass Mtn 14,092'  Elk Range

Sun Sept 2- Tue Sept 4.   Hiked the Entire 35 mile 4 pass loop in the Elks starting and finishing at the Snowmass Ranch Falls Trailhead.

Thur-Fri Sept 6-7.  Tough Circuit Training workouts and swimming at the Colorado Athletic Club in Denver while I spoke at REI Ft. Collins and REI Boulder.

Sat. Sept 8th  Climbed Mt. of the Holy Cross 14,005'

Sun Sept 9th  Climbed Mt. Massive 14,421'

Monday Sept 10 Biked 20 miles and lifted.

Tue Sept 11th  Red Sky Ranch Charity Gold Classic.

Life is good!   More adventure to come later this week as well!