Are We Actually Making Progress on Alzheimer’s? Here’s the Real Story
Many of you who have followed me for more than 20 years know the story of the day my mom, Ida, looked at me in a Perkins restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, and said, “Now, who are you again?”
My world pivoted in that moment.
Over time, I shifted part of my life’s purpose and began using my mountain climbing to become an Alzheimer’s advocate — to honor Ida, raise awareness, and help fund research aimed at preventing, slowing, stopping, and eventually curing Alzheimer’s disease.
So where are we today?
I am asked this all the time when I speak: Are we actually getting anywhere?
You read the press, try to follow the science, subscribe to journals, and before long you’re buried in jargon and conflicting headlines. If you are a caregiver, or navigating symptoms yourself, progress can feel distant or painfully slow. It’s hard to square optimistic headlines with the day-to-day reality families face.
I recently met a 75-year-old gentleman showing mid-stage symptoms. He asked me, “Where can I get reliable information on the research?” I’ll answer him at the end of this post.
When you look across the latest federal reports and research advances, two truths come into focus. The science is moving — faster and more meaningfully than it has in decades. At the same time, far too many people still can’t access the benefits of that progress.
Together, those two truths tell the real story of Alzheimer’s in 2026. #alzheimer’s
Autumn Himalayan Climbing – Everest and More
Despite a brutal year in the high mountains—including 20 dead or presumed dead during Nepal’s autumn season and the 10 killed on Broad Peak in Pakistan in July—the 2026 autumn Himalayan climbing season continues. A small four-person Russian team is currently climbing on Everest, scouting a possible new route for a larger attempt next spring. A dispute over rope fixing, followed by worsening snow and wind conditions, ends attempts on Nepal’s final active 8,000er of the autumn season. #manaslu2026 #himlung2026 #everest2026 #dhaulagiri2026
Climbers missing after avalanche hits Himlung Base Camp—sixteen missing.
Climbers missing after avalanche hits Himlung Base Camp—fourteen people are missing. Himlung Himal (7,126 m), in Manang district, requires an additional permit for helicopter flights, adding to the difficulties of reaching the mountain.
Himlung has been heavily marketed since Nepal floated the idea of requiring a 7,000-meter climb in Nepal before applying for an Everest permit. The rule is going through Nepal’s governmental approval process but is not in place as of September 2026, and probably will not be in time for the Everest 2027 Spring season. #manaslu2026
Manaslu Over for Most—Finally!
It’s over on Manaslu. Even the rope-fixers are bailing as the typhoon is about to make landfall, bringing, perhaps, feet of snow to the higher elevations across the Himalaya. The Nepali weather experts are warning of potential flooding in Kathmandu and other areas. #manaslu2026
Manaslu Avalanche and Potential Heavy Snow at Month End? – Updated
With the recent heavy snows, it was inevitable that the upper slopes of Manaslu would see some avalanche activity. If that wasn’t enough, the signs of an impending typhoon hitting the area are increasing. It’s time for every climber and team to gather data and make responsible decisions. #manaslu2026
Manaslu Dominates Autumn Himalaya Season and One Death
With China closing Tibet to mountaineering this autumn and recent floods making travel to many areas in Nepal difficult, operators focused on Manaslu, and climbers came.
Nepali authorities have issued a record 451 climbing permits to foreign climbers on Manaslu (8,163 meters/26,781 feet), with a 1:1.5 member-to-support ratio, which could put 1,128 climbers on the mountain. Nepal received over $1.35 million in royalties. Sadly, there has been one death. #manaslu2026
Ten Years of Summit Coach—and a Special Offer for Climbers
September 2026 marks ten years since I founded Summit Coach, LLC. Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of clients and interacted with thousands more. Today, I have dozens of climbers under contract—each with a different background, schedule, and definition of success. For my anniversary, I’m excited to make a special offer to new and current clients. #summitcoach #alanarnette
Himalaya Autumn Season Begins
As summer ends, the Autumn Himalayan climbing season begins. Manaslu is the favorite climb, given that China has inexplicably closed Tibet to climbing. We can expect record summits on Manaslu this season, despite the catastrophic floods in Nepal; climbers are still climbing. Many teams switched from trekking to using a helicopter to reach base camps, but road closures and bridges out after the flood made that difficult. #manaslu2026
Podcast with Ryan Mitchell & Justin Sackett: No O’s Everest Update and Plans
Ryan Mitchell, a Summit Coach client, planned to climb two 8000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen with his friend and professional mountain guide, Justin Sackett, but not everything went as planned. In this podcast, we discuss the expedition, its risks, decision-making and emotions. Both climbers wanted to climb without supplemental oxygen. #everest2026
K2 2026: Summits on other 8000ers, Wind Stall K2 Summit Bids
The Karakorum continues to be quiet as we approach the end of July. There have been summits only on Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II. High winds have hampered attempts on K2, while other issues have emerged on GI and Broad Peak.