Climbing the World to End Alzheimer's
Everest: 7 Summits
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2011 Climb Dispatches: Vinson 2010 | Aconcagua 2011 | Everest 2011 | Denali 2011 | Elbrus 2011 | Kilimanjaro 2011 | Carstensz 2011 | Kosciuszko 2011
I climbed seven of the eight Seven Summits in 2010/11. It took 18 airlines, 58 flights, 116,112 miles flown, 120 time zones and 201 nights away from home over 322 days to raise awareness and research funds for Alzheimer’s, and to honor my mom, Ida Arnette, who was taken by this disease in 2009. Read the 7 Summits overview.
Everest Summit May 21, 2011
Asia: Everest (29,031'/8848m)
Mt. Everest is on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China). It is in the Himalaya mountain range which stretches 1500 miles from Northeastern Pakistan to Bhutan. There are over thirty mountains higher than 25,000 feet. Of the fourteen 8,000 meter peaks, nine are located in the Himalayas making it clearly the top of the world. Mt. Everest was first summited by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary with a British expedition in 1953. They took the South Col route which is described on this page. At that time the route had only been attempted twice by Swiss teams in the spring and autumn of 1952.They reached 8500m well above the South Col. Of note, Norgay was with the Swiss thus giving him the experience he used on the British expedition. The Swiss return in 1956 to make the second summit of Everest.
Today, hundreds of climbers from around the world use this route to try to stand on top of the world. It is considered slightly more dangerous than the North Ridge Route due primarily to the instability of the Khumbu Icefall. However some considered it slightly easier than the north due to the absence of the ladders and rock climbing on the steep steps of the North Ridge route. As of 2011, there have been about 3448 individuals summit with another 2136 repeat summits since 1953 with 250 deaths.
The second highest mountain in Asia is K2 in Pakistan at 28,251’/8611m and is about 800 miles northwest of Everest but still in the Himalaya range. It is considered significantly more difficult than Everest requiring technical rock climbing and extreme weather.
I have climbed on Everest four times. You can read about my climbs on my Everest pages.
The menu at the top of each Everest page links to:
- Pictures from the climbs are organized in six albums by the trek in, base camp, Khumbu Icefall, Lhotse Face, South Col and Above and a Best of Everest Album.
- Videos from my Everest climbs.
- Alan’s 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2011 summit Climbs with an overview and dispatches sent during the climbs
- Coverage and commentary of the Everest 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 , 2009 and 2010 climbing seasons
- 6 essays on topics from money to family to death
- Extras including Everest for Kids, Musical Slide Show and Pictures of the South Col Route plus the Northeast Ridge Route map.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)about climbing Mt. Everest
- Communication Technology from Everest
- Links to other websites for more information
- Click here to see the south route in motion
Memories are Everything®
Alan Arnette is an Alzheimer’s advocate for individuals, their families and anyone impacted by this disease through his professional speaking, climbing and website.
His objectives for the Memories are Everything® climbs are:
- Educate the public, especially youth, on the early warning signs and how to prepare
- Increase awareness that Alzheimer’s Disease has no cure
- Raise research money for Alzheimer’s non-profits
He has completed two major projects:
- NO CURE, always fatal
- No easy, inexpensive method of early detection
- 3rd leading cause of death in the US
- New case every 68 seconds, 4 seconds worldwide
- Impacts more than 5+m in US, 25m+ worldwide
- Devastating financial burden on families
- Depression higher for caregivers
- Issues are increasing rapidly as population ages
The Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. funded my climbs for the 7 Summits campaign and ongoing efforts between November 2010 and November 2012. All money I raised then and now from donations goes directly to the organizations I have selected. During the campaign, content posted here was my own but subject to certain limitations in conjunction with the support of the AIP.
Preparing for a Climb is More Than Training
Summit Coach
From Your First Summit to Everest. One Coach, the Whole Way.
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