29029 Utah #1 Recap

We Climbed a Mountain

By 29029 Everesting

August 24^th, 2021

36 Hours

It’s been over 36 hours since this life-changing experience began. 36 hours since participants toed that line. 36 hours since Colin O’Brady challenged us to question our perceived limits during his start-line speech.

36 hours since everyone made their first step towards something brilliant.

We Do Hard Things

We spent the last 36 hours with 242 people like us: people who do hard things. People who see the mountain as an incredible challenge, but one they can conquer. People who want to know what it feels like to accomplish something unbelievable. This is our tribe – one we’re proud to be a part of.

We Climbed a Mountain

When we embarked on this long journey, we had doubts. We weren’t sure if we could do it. We stood at the foot of the mountain, looked up towards the top, and wondered how?

How can I do this? Am I capable? Will I be okay?

You are strong. You are capable. All 242 of us learned this lesson over the preceding 36 hours. We defeated our doubts and proved that we can do it. We climbed a mountain!

242 Stories

Everybody here has a story: their own personal why. Stories range from ones of redemption, to family connection, to simply proving to ourselves that not every negative thought is right.

These are but a few stories that unfolded on the mountain at Utah #1.

Jim & Mary Fisher

Jim and Mary Fisher quickly became legends on the mountain. At 79 & 78 years young, they achieved something remarkable on these slopes. Always smiling, always positive, always exemplifying that enduring spirit the 29029 community values so much.

Jim and Mary ticked away the summits. Jim summited up to Aconcagua, and Mary to the summit of Vinson, while collectively inspiring the entire 29029 community.

Jason Kanaris

Jason is a 29029 veteran; a man who continues to pursue his own personal accomplishment each year. This was Jason’s 3rd 29029, and this year, it was extra-special for him, as he was doing it with his brother.

His brother, however, was doing it an ocean away, virtually from Norway. After every summit, Jason Facetimed with his brother as he branded the board for both of them.

The enduring spirit of 29029 thrives, even a continent away.

Jonathan & Marta Ramirez

The Nephew – Aunt duo took to the slopes as true family, ready to tackle Everest. For 36 hours they went stride for stride, footstep for footstep, willing each other up the mountain, 13 times.

They entered the event as a family duo, and left the event with a family 240 people larger. Welcome to the 29029 tribe, Jonathan and Marta. You are both an inspiration!

Deana Kingsbury

Deana first tackled 29029 in 2018. She fell short of her goal then, not quite reaching Everest, and ever since has wondered what it would be like to come back – to make it all the way to top – all 13 times. In 2021, Deana vanquished those demons. She persevered through 13 laps to get that entire 29029 feet – all the way to Everest – all the way to that coveted Red Hat.

Pierce Showe

Pierce pulled on his Red Hat well before midnight – the first of us to do so. He pursued his goal of Everesting with intensity and focus. He was always moving, onwards and upwards, yet always found time for a smile, a quick conversation, a how are you doing asked to his fellow participants.

When asked what he would do with all of his spare time before the event wrapped up 18 hours later, Pierce was quick to reply.

“I’ll probably help the volunteers out. I like doing that.”

...and Many More

242 stories took place over 36 hours on the mountain, each as inspiring as the last. The stories above barely scratch the surface of our collective 29029 experience.

Each one of those 242 stories show something: that our community is bullet-proof. Strong beyond measure. Strong because of people like Pierce. Strong because of people like Jason. Strong because of people like Deana. Strong because of people like you.