Since 2011, I have been on a quest to climb the seven summits – the highest peak in each continent. I have always believed that ordinary people can do extraordinary things with the right drive, attitude and persistence. Pursuing this goal forced me out of my comfort zone and tested my limits both mentally and physically.  I am not a natural athlete and have always had to work extra-hard to achieve the same results as some others.  Mountaineering is no different.  I have certainly learned a lot about myself, got to see many different parts of the world and made new friends in the process.  Throughout all this my climbing partner, Brian, has been by my side, always encouraging me to be and do my best.

How did I get the itch to climb the seven summits?  Well, after I booked our Kili trek in the summer of 2010, I started reading all kinds of literature online and bought several books to learn about Kili and what it was like to climb.  One of the books I stumbled upon was the Seven Summits by Dick Bass.  I read it in a few days and I was sold!  The rest as they say is history.

Why do I do it?  I love the challenge, simplicity and beauty of climbing mountains.  Climbing is just as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one.  Even more so at times.  The mind has a nasty habit of trying to get in the way of allowing you to push your body beyond the limits of reason.  I like the simplicity of it – climb, sleep, eat, repeat.  I consider it a luxury to be able to leave my normal life behind for just a spell.  My biggest decision of the day is whether I should carry one or two tubes of lip screen.  The beauty of it is self-explanatory.  I have seen some pretty incredible sights these past few years.  And often from a perspective most people don't get to see.

Here I am seven years later ready to tackle summit number seven.  This blog is meant to document the final chapter of what has been an exciting and arduous undertaking.