29029 IDAHO RECAP

An Army Of Many

By 29029 Everesting

June 23^rd, 2021

29029 is about many things, but one that stands out to most is the unwavering support that can be found on the mountain. Everybody knows that what is being attempted is heroic. Everybody wants everyone else to succeed.

On the slopes of the mountain at each 29029 event, there are countless stories that take place exemplifying what it is that is so special about the 29029 community. Inspiration is abound when you take part in 29029, and the inaugural Idaho event was no different.

UNWAVERING SUPPORT

29029 is all about achieving the unthinkable – breaking boundaries, and not accepting your own preconceived limitations. Everyone is capable of more than they think, and watching others, or better yet, helping others realize this is almost as rewarding as getting to the finish line yourself.

Becca and Scott Williams tackled 29029 Idaho to get the coveted red hat. Having braved the challenging slopes, Becca finished ahead of her husband, Scott.

Feeling that elation, that high, that massive sense of achievement on top of the mountain with the final ascent wasn’t enough for Becca. She’d made the brand on the burn board for each summit along the way to the 29,029 feet: Kosciuszko, Vinson, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Denali, Aconcagua, and finally Everest, all completed.

But Becca wanted to share that feeling of accomplishment with her husband. She wanted to be there when he got the chance to Everest.

Did Becca take a seat up top and patiently wait for Scott? Of course not! Becca went down the mountain and joined Scott for five – that’s right FIVE – additional ascents of the mountain. The experience is to be shared, and Becca would do anything to share it with Scott.

Becca and Scott, we salute you.

NEW FRIENDS OF THE BEST KIND

Frank and Christine Egan were also on the slopes, working hard for each ascent. They hiked together, side by side for hours on end. They battled the mountain valiantly, fighting back heat from the hot Idaho sun. After reaching the heights of Kilimanjaro, Christine was forced to stop. She couldn’t do anymore.

Having lost his partner and teammate, Frank struggled to begin his final ascent. When every bone and every muscle in the body aches from fatigue, and when the mind screams for rest, even the smallest setback can seem debilitating. Frank thought he might be finished, just shy of Everest.

Kaydi Dickerson, a newfound friend from the mountain, was relaxing at the base of the mountain in her hard-earned red hat. She had conquered the mountain, and was showered, cleaned up, and changed, basking in the sense of accomplishment from her own Everest.

But 29029 isn’t only about individual achievement. It’s about the community. Kaydi saw the commotion unfolding. Frank, struggling to embark on one final ascent – the ascent that would see him get his very own red hat.

Kaydi wandered over, spoke some words of encouragement, and then decided to join Frank for his final summit. Kaydi helped Frank get that Red Hat.

Kaydi, Frank and Christine, we salute you.

GRIT

Although no 29029 comes easy, the inaugural Idaho event has already cemented its name in legend, with many saying it was the most difficult 29029 yet. Intense heat under the summer sun combined with an unrelenting course meant 29029 Idaho participants had their work cut out for them. It takes true grit to Everest on a mountain like this.

Andy Lausch is no stranger to grit. He got the Red Hat with his two older daughters in Utah. Now he was back, in Idaho, to go for it again, this time with his two younger daughters. 29029 Idaho was a family affair.

The exuberance of youth saw his two daughters often beating him to the top. But, as a testament to the 29029 community as a whole, they waited. Andy, Nadia and Bibi rode the gondola down together. Every single lap.

They understood that 29029 isn’t a race. It’s an experience. It’s the chance to achieve the remarkable. To achieve something special. And that something special is only made even more so by sharing it with people you love.

Andy, Nadia and Bibi, we salute you.

Infectious Persistence

Junior came to conquer Idaho, and he left a hero. With his wife cheering him from the sidelines, Junior continued, ever persistent. He persisted through the early morning sun. Persisted through the midday heat. Persisted through the darkness at night. Persisted through another morning, this time with a bit more fatigue than before.

Junior didn’t quit. Not on the steepest section on the mountain, and not after dealing with some of the hottest temperatures 29029 has seen. When the dust finally settled after 36 arduous hours, Junior had summited to Aconcagua.

Junior, your spirit is infectious, we salute you.

NEVER, EVER GIVE UP

Eli Rodsky came on a mission. This was his 3rd time attempting to reach the final mark on the burn board. Eli was here to finally achieve what he set out to – to finally climb 29,029 feet.

Idaho would not be an easy mountain for this.

On one of the longest days of the year, the hot summer sun did its best to challenge those on the mountain. Little shade was afforded on the slopes, and a particularly steep section, nicknamed the Wall, added even more to the challenge. To achieve Everest would mean climbing this mountain 15 times.

15 times up the leg-busting Wall. 15 times sitting in a gondola on the way down, wanting nothing more than to take a longer rest. 15 times of getting to the bottom and willing yourself to turn right back around to head back up.

Eli was ready for the challenge. Eli came with a goal, and this was the time he would achieve it. Eli grinned and bared it, 15 times, putting it all out there on the mountain.