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Over 70 Airmen Reach CO Summit!

9/22/2014

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The trip went great!  We started out at 0500 with 22 people, active duty, retired, and cadets.  The morning was beautiful, a sliver of moon was just over the horizon when we set out and the stars were in full glory.  

After about 1.5 hours of hiking we broke out of the tree-line, just as the first licks of sunlight tickled the golden aspen trees on the slopes below us.  We pressed onward with over 2000 feet of scree-field above us.  The false summit was breeched just over an hour later.  This was the toughest point of the climb, well above 13,000', fatigued, and out of breath, seeing the actual summit still looming high above was a bit of a stab to the ego.  Led to some great discussions about persevering through trials and setbacks!  

Everyone continued on, taking frequent mini breaks to catch our breath and take in the amazing view.  The fastest reached the summit just after 0900, all 22 were on the summit by 1030!  With all 22 team members on the summit we paused to take some pictures, do a few push ups, and comment on the amazing achievement.  Reaching the summit was especially profound for several members of the team who (in reaching the summit) had just bagged their first 14er!!  

After pictures those who had been on top the longest set out for the journey home.  As the last of us left the summit we had the opportunity to high five the first ascenders of the USAFA Men's Lacrosse Team.  The team had set out a few hours after us, but were reaching the summit in record time!  All 50 members of the team reached the summit as well and took their own round of photos with the same AF and American flags.  

What an accomplishment to have more than 70 members of the Air Force standing at the highest point in Colorado, all in the same day!  The members on the summit represented Active Duty, Reservists, Civilian, and Retired from Fairchild AFB, WA, Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, and USAFA, Colorado!

-Maj Nichelle Somers, USAFA

//Note from the Directors//

We're very proud of the Airmen who took part in CO's high-point portion of the USAF 50 Summits Challenge.  Can you believe it: over 70 members of the Air Force on top of their state summit?  Outstanding!  It's sure to be an experience that these Airmen recall with pride for years to come and likely a step in realizing their inner-strength and self-worth.

We wanted to highlight a story that exemplifies the professionalism of men and women serving in the Air Force.  After reaching the summit of Mt. Elbert with the 50 Summits Challenge team, two of our Airmen noticed a young man on the summit who appeared ill.  Capt Colin Merrin, who climbed Mt. Everest with the USAF 7 Summits Challenge in 2013, is well versed with acute mountain sickness (AMS)-- he made the life-saving decision to turn around just 2,000ft shy of Everest's summit after he began to experience debilitating affects of extreme altitude combined with a chest infection he was battling.

Colin and a SERE instructor from Fairchild AFB, WA approached the young man to check up on him.  The boy and his friends had climbed faster than the adult in their group and were waiting on the summit for the rest of their party.  Capt Merrin and the SERE instructor identified the symptoms the young man was suffering from as AMS and recommended the boys descend from the summit right away.  The young men thanked them for their input and headed down the well-traveled trail.

Later, as Capt Merrin and the SERE instructor were descending with other Airmen, they came across the same young man.  He was alone and separated from his group, yet still showing signs of confusion/lethargy (AMS).  This time the Airmen took him under their wing and personally helped him down from the mountain until he was able to reconnect with his group.  

It could have been a bad day on the mountain if a young person with AMS became lost, so we are very proud of the actions of these Airmen, but not surprised- that's exactly the sort of response we'd expect from the men and women of the US Air Force.  Well done!

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September 17th, 2014

9/17/2014

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Mt Elbert climb is a GO!! Expecting mostly sunny weather with a chance of showers.  We plan to meet up at the North Route trailhead at 0445 for a 0500 departure.  Information has been emailed to everyone we have on our list.  Feel free to call Nichelle at 719-505-5066 if you didn't get the email.

Most of us will be camping the night before near the trailhead.  Elbert Creek Campground is right across from the trailhead, but Halfmoon Creek Campground is another nearby option. 

This is not a technical climb, so gear required is minimal.  Be prepared for sun (sunscreen, etc) and/or rain and chilly temps at the summit (hat/gloves).  Dress in layers and bring plenty of water and snacks/lunch for the trail.

See you Saturday!!
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Information meeting

9/4/2014

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There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, 9 Sept, 1930 at the Sport Climbing Center of Colorado Springs (4642 Northpark Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80918).  We will discuss logistics including route, timing, weather, gear requirements, etc.  All abilities are welcome, so come on down and decide if this is something you'd like to be a part of!

The plan is to climb the NorthEast Ridge Route.  This is the most common route used to hike Mt. Elbert.  The route is about 9 miles round trip and gains about 4,700' altitude.  We plan to meet up at the trailhead at about 0430 for a 0500 departure.  Because of the early departure camping near the trailhead is recommended.  The route is not technical, all that is required gear-wise is a good pair of shoes/hiking boots, layered clothing including a jacket, sunscreen, snacks for the trail, and plenty of water! 
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