Climbing@alanarnette.com
Site Update Notifications and Expedition Dispatches

This is home for site notifications and dispatches from Alan's expeditions plus updates on Memories are Everything Alzheimer's fund raising activities. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease and the true cause of the disease is unknown. Researchers are making great progress but more is needed. And there is hope.

I have partnered with the Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

100% of your donations go directly to Alzheimer's issues. None go to Alan's climbing expenses. I encourage you to read more about this excellent organization and make your tax deductible donation today.

Please Donate Today
Memories are Everything

« A Spring Update: Everest, Alzheimer's, The Big Project | Main | Memories are Everything: The 7 Summits to start with Aconcagua in 2010 »

Update on Memories are Everything: The 7 Summits for Alzheimer's

As summer moves on, I wanted to provide a brief update about Memories are Everything: The 7 Summits for Alzheimer's. After working for almost a year to launch the journey, we are getting there but still have some significant milestones remaining. First the progress.


New Partners

The Alzheimer's Association is fully engaged in the project and will be helping with the logistics of the US fund-raising events. Next, Outside Magazine Online will follow the climbs thus increasing the project's visibility and the opportunity for raising awareness and donations. Also, we have an agreement with a major guiding company to manage the logistics of all 7 climbs. The details will be announced as soon as the final piece falls into place - which is securing the remaining financial sponsorship.

Sponsorship

I have personally contacted many, many companies this year and with the tough economy, you can understand the rejection. I am starting to feel like I am back in High School ::)) seriously; there is not a lot of extra money for philanthropy these days even though the largest expense will not occur for another 9-12 months. There are still a few pending opportunities; however if you know of any company that would be interested in being part of this, please contact me. The business case is solid and yields a positive ROI for the investment.

However, as I have said from the start, this is about Alzheimer's, not climbing and to do it right, it takes some funding.

Join a Climb

I want to get you thinking about becoming part of this by joining a climb. Kilimanjaro in mid 2010 is probably the climb most accessible to many people since it is non-technical and really a high walk to 19,339. Plus we go on a safari afterwards. So fun for the entire family! Denali in 2011 is another option.

And I want to extend an invitation for all the climbs to qualified climbers including joining me on climbing Everest in 2011 or trekking to the base camp in Nepal. It would be excellent training to come along of some of the other climbs before Everest.

We will also be looking for help with the fund-raising events outside of the US in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America. As always, contact me for details.

So until we start climbing remember you can always make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in any amount. Also join or start your own team for a Memory Walk in your community. Details at www.alz.org

Personal Update

My mom continues to decline. She now has trouble feeding herself and other daily activities. She no longer recognizes or remembers anyone and she has significant trouble forming words and creating sentences. Her mind continues to be devastated by this disease. Not only is her memory now gone but almost all her identity.

That said, I can still get her to laugh a little with a small joke and even over the phone, I can see her smile. So she will always be in there somewhere.

I continue to climb my Colorado 14ers with 4 new summits this summer. I especially enjoyed the relatively simple walk-up San Luis Peak in central Colorado. The approach follows miles of beaver dams up and into a beautiful alpine basin - Colorado at the finest. Also nice was the class 3+ climb to Wilson Peak which was another fun climb with a bit of serious rock on the top. You read the trip reports on my site.

So, we are making progress on raising $1M for Alzheimer's but have a ways to go. As always, your continued support is sincerely appreciated.

Climb On!
Alan

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This page contains a single entry from the expedition posted on July 24, 2009 1:01 PM.

The previous post from this expedition was A Spring Update: Everest, Alzheimer's, The Big Project.

The next post from this expedition is Memories are Everything: The 7 Summits to start with Aconcagua in 2010.

Many more posts and VIDEOS can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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