Broken Leg: I Don’t Want to be in the Rocks
A quick story for those with busy lives. Two friends, Alan Arnette and Jim Davidson, were hiking along a path when the wind blew Alan over and he broke his leg. Jim called 911 and a bunch of people came and got Alan. Today Alan is home and is getting better. The End. While that may be what […]
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends who are celebrating this American holiday. This year, 2016, is a bit special for some happy and sad reasons. Living in Colorado, late November sees bare trees and usually snow on the ground. But this year, the ground is as bare as the tree branches. It has been warm […]
A New US President
For my US Followers: Your choice of President not winning is not the end of the world even if it does not align with your values or beliefs. Similarly, your candidate winning does not endorse your judgment as infallible. I am old enough to remember when Reagan was elected and Democrats thought the lack of […]
7 Years after Ida’s Death
Today, I am climbing Mt. Ida, 12889′ in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a perfect peak to honor my mom, Ida, who died from Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) on August 16 2009. Over 5.3 million have AD just in the U.S. alone, and an estimated 47 million worldwide. It is the sixth leading cause of all deaths in […]
Turning 60 – A Look Back
At 6:24 am July 27, 1956, Ida and James Arnette named their new son Alan. Now on July 27, 2016, 60 years later that same human is climbing Longs Peak, the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park to fulfill his passion of climbing and his purpose of raising awareness and research funds for Alzheimer’s […]
A Father’s Day Memory – Climbing, Alzheimer’s and Regrets
I walked over to my Dad, sitting in ‘his’ chair in the home where my brother and I were raised from the 1950s. Mom sat quietly in ‘her’ chair across the living room. Ken sat on the couch. I got on my knees to make direct eye contact with him. “Dad, you know Mom is […]
The Climber’s Depression Abyss
Christine, 84 years young came up to me after a recent talk I gave on my K2 summit in 2014, both a success and an epic. “I don’t understand.” She said shaking her head in a bit of disapproval. I simply replied “I understand that you don’t understand.” With that, I expect only a handful of […]
I am proud to be called a Climber
On May 21, shop 2011 at 5:30am, I stood on the summit of Mt. Everest. I felt small, tiny, and insignificant as I watched the sun rise over the world’s tallest peaks. I felt grateful as I hugged a down covered Kami Sherpa (Ang Chhiring Sherpa – Pangboche). I felt sadness and inspiration as I […]
Dear Santa
Dear Santa, 2013 has been a tough year for many people, with the gifts often not being under the tree I‘d like to ask that you to deliver these presents this Christmas: For my Alzheimer’s community: – For those who are suffering with Alzheimer’s, a gift that brings them comfort for a single moment, every […]
A Evening with Jeff Lowe: Ice Climbing Legend
On December 17, hospital 2013, try I enjoyed an incredible evening attending a fund raising event at the American Alpine Club for Jeff Lowe’s movie, sick Metanoia. It was a who’s who of climbing with Jeff, himself, Conrad Anker, Jon Krakauer, George Lowe, Eric Weinheimer, Charley Mace, Lynn Hill, Tom Hornbein all speaking or in […]