Denali Summit

On June 26, after three weeks of climbing and eight days of hunkering down at 17,000 feet to wait out the nasty weather Denali threw at us, my friend Steve Mills and I were able to carry the Climb for Cancer banner to the summit of the tallest mountain in North America and pay tribute to my dear friend Pat Brandt who lost his battle with brain cancer on March 2, 2008.

During our nine-hour descent, we encountered what one Denali pilot said was the fastest moving storm he had ever seen. Through whiteout conditions, whipping winds and some very tricky terrain, we managed to find our way back to high camp where we spent two more days battling storms before finally heading down the mountain.

Every step of the way and throughout our ten-day stay at high camp, I was inspired by the battle my friend Pat Brandt fought and by the many stories you told me about how cancer has touched your lives. Thanks to your generosity, we met our goal of raising $10,000 for the Climb for Cancer Foundation and an additional $2,500 for Pat Brandt’s family.

For those of you who can make it, I encourage you to attend a special tribute to Pat Brandt on August 21 at the Myth nightclub in St. Paul, Minnesota. Following is a sneak preview of our 22 minute documentary of the climb:

Thanks again for your support and for your inspiration. May your life be filled with love, laughter and plenty of new adventures.

View photos of the Denali expedition.