We arrived in Punta Arenas yesterday with all bags in tow! Today we met up with the rest of the team and did our gear checks and last minute purchases. We had a wonderful dinner as the team got to know each other. Besides Gary and I there is Charles from England, Michael from Utah, and Valentin from Argentina. Everyone is well mannered and payed back, we have the start of a great team with us all about the same age and level of fitness. I think this could be a most enjoyable expedition. We had a wonderful dinner with a three course serving of lamb. It was outstanding. A big thanks to Nicholas, who has been helping us get sorted here, later we will meet our Guide JB when we get to the Ice.

On a sad note, we added another name to our Silently Fallen flag today. This makes the second since this trip began. Help us bring awareness and prevention by beginning with removing the stigma. Anyone care to join us in solidarity against this epidemic? Do you have a story about your struggles and what you have done to take back control of your life? What is you therapy? Need me to start… Okay. I am Bipolar, and struggle with depression, PTSD and even suicidal tendencies. My family is my support, and the Veterans and Families of SfS are my Purpose and Mission, and these climbs are my therapy. All of this together is what empowers me to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward… Be it a mountain or this mission. I have been given a second chance and I will not waste it.

Now… Dare to Share?

#8000Veterans #summitforsoldiers

5 Jan (Sat): As I flew in yesterday morning, I lifted the window shade for the first time during my flight. We were on the approach to Santiago Airport and out my window, off in the distance was Cerro Aconcagua. It actually took a moment to find it, as I was expecting it would be a little more prominent, after all it is almost 7000 meters tall and even Rainier stands out like a giant when flying into Seattle. Then again, the entire Andes range is covered with 6000 meter peaks.

Staring out the window I was taken back to 5 years ago when I first launched my bid for the Seven Summits. Aconcagua was the first climb in that quest and it turned out to be an epic adventure of back and forth with weather and time. We made a push to the higher camps, but weather would turn us around and the expedition was over. Suddenly, as the rest of the team was heading out, the leader introduced me to Jorge, and together we would make a mad push up through the weather catching a window and eventually the summit. That climb still to this day holds a special place in my heart and memories. What started out as a somewhat frustrating climb, turned into the best outcome possible. The wind and temperature were severe enough to ground the guided groups, but well within the parameters for a seasoned climber, and heading back up with just Jorge and I was an alpine pleasure, and we were part of the few that day to enjoy the mountain to ourselves. All the weather lifted for the perfect day on the summit. If I never climb another mountain, it matters not with memories like these.

So on to this next adventure, tomorrow I fly to Punta Arenas and wait till we head to the ice.

My time has been spent doing, dare I say… yoga (better know as “combat stretching.”) Since I always join these big expeditions last minute, I never really get the time to properly train. I started this one out way over weight, almost 204 lbs, but my goal was to get that into the 180’s, which I reached the day before I left Columbus. All I could really do is calisthenics, my typical 4-mile run, and long walks with a pack on our treadmill. Then, I started having these tendon issues pop up in my elbow and the back of my knee, along with this strange pain off centered in my back. I found these yoga stretches to be great at temporarily relieving these pains and the Ibuprofen certainly helps with the joints (okay, okay… arthritis) but I felt I needed one more thing. Today I decided to get a massage (something I very rarely do, in fact only twice in the past) and I have to say the ladies at AcuatroManos Massage Spa in Santiago did an outstanding job. Yes, I said “ladies” as they do a 4-hand massage! They were very professional, finding every sore spot I have been having issues with, and they do house calls. They were recommend to me by the folks at my hotel and I am further recommending them to anyone who my find themselves in Santiago, Chile. They even took time to ask about Summit for Soldiers and learn more about the issues. Their website is https://acuatromanos-masaje.negocio.site .

Okay, Till tomorrow!

1800:
Tired of sitting around the hotel and anxious to get checked in at the airport. I got up early, did a little yoga stretching and posting. Then I decided I might as well head to the airport early. Now I am just hanging out in the United Lounge waiting for my flight. Talk with everyone tomorrow, hopefully from Santiago, Chile. Sadly I learned of another fallen veteran within our SfS circle, Army Veteran Cory Speakman lost his battle with his demons over Christmas. I can’t stress enough how important this mission has become to me. I could care less about these climbs, what I care most about is stopping this epidemic, and if my struggles and climbs can help encourage even one person, I will continue to do them. I will not forget these names... I carry them and their stories with me daily... for them I will continue on and give my all. I have been given a second chance and I will not waste it.

1200:
Sitting in my hotel, the first leg of the journey was an easy hop over to Houston to await my direct flight to Santiago. Before leaving Columbus, my main priority was ensuring I had everything I might potentially need packed and within my luggage allowance. This gear list needs to be further refined down to 50lbs maximum before boarding the actual flight to Antarctica next week, but as we will have about 6 days in Chile I will have plenty of time to sort that out. I am mostly good to go, but it is the last minute “this or that’s” that can make packing so daunting. It never fails that as I walk out the door I always grab one last item!

It was great to see my mom, along with my dad and older brother. Sitting at my layover on my way back to Columbus and I realize there are less than 4 days till I depart! Getting a bit nervous with all that’s left to do between now and then!

SfS '750' Endeavor: (Antarctica)

I climb because I can... It is my therapy, my reset, my time to focus and appreciate the privileges and the opportunities I have been given. My challenge is not with the mountains I climb, for the one who 'dares' the mountain will always lose, the real challenge is with myself... can I endure? can I withstand? can I press on through the pain and discomfort? I am never more alive and focused than when I step into the extreme.
Through my climbs I hope that I can encourage a few, and remember and honor many. But at the end of the day I am just the guy putting one foot in front of the other, with so many folks behind me making it all possible.
From the very beginning not one of these expeditions would have ever been possible without the support of my wife Beth Fairman. Thank you so much for providing me the opportunity to realize my goals and quest, and for making this Antarctica trip possible. I love you