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Autumn
Everest 2001: The American-Canadian Expedition
|
|
 |
The
Team |
 |
 |
| Name: |
Ed
Hommer |
| Birthdate: |
November
19, 1955 |
| Birthplace: |
Manistee,
Michigan |
| Residence: |
Duluth,
Minnesota |
| Family: |
Three
children: Carmen, Mitch and Garrison |
| Education: |
U.S.
Army 1974-1978; Paratrooper Flight School,
Grand Rapids, Michigan; Northern Warfare
Training Center, Alaska |
| Occupation: |
MD-80
First Officer for American Airlines, May
2000-present |
| Work
history: |
Pilot,
American Eagle, 1985-2000; Bush Pilot,
Alaska, 1980-81 |
| Personal
Hero: |
Mother
Theresa. Look at what one “frail”
little lady did for the world. |
| Accomplishments: |
First
double amputee to summit Mt. McKinley in
1999; Founder of High Exposure Inc. -- a
foundation that provides amputees with
prosthetics that return them to their
original level of activity, trains
Nepalese doctors in prosthetics fitting
and supplies devices to clinics in
Kathmandu; Author of The Hill,
publication date Fall 2001 |
How
long I’ve
been a mountain climber: |
25
years |
How
I became
part of this expedition: |
I
was drawn to the high adventure and lured
by the remote regions of the world,
unknown to man. |
Responsibilities
on
the expedition: |
To
organize the expedition. Put together a
team with complementary skills, organize
the logistics and raise funds for the
expedition. |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
To
be the first double amputee to summit
Mount Everest |
What
the expedition
means to me: |
To
make a bold statement about the
possibilities and capabilities of
physically challenged people. To make a
"handicap" something that only
golfers talk about. |
| Childhood
memory: |
Fishing
with my father on the
Manistee River |
| Hobbies: |
Hiking,
downhill and cross country skiing,
bicycling, ice climbing |
Interesting
fact
about myself: |
I'll
get back to you on that one! |
| Favorite
Author: |
James
Michener |
| Favorite
Food: |
BBQ
ribs (I make GREAT BBQ ribs) |
| Favorite
TV Show: |
History
Channel or National Geographic Explorer |
| Favorite
Music: |
Bob
Dylan (a Minnesota guy) |
| Favorite
Movie: |
“Jeremiah
Johnson” |
|
 |
| Name: |
Scott
W. Anderson |
| Birthdate: |
December
4, 1968 |
| Birthplace: |
New
Ulm, Minnesota |
| Residence: |
Two
Harbors, Minnesota |
| Family: |
Parents
Cliff and Jean. Older brother Steve,
sister-in-law Denise, niece Brianna. Older
sister Sue, brother-in-law Peter, nieces
Sojna and Kari. |
| Education: |
New
Ulm High School; National Outdoor
Leadership School (NOLS); Life |
| Occupation: |
Product
Development at Granite Gear |
| Work
history: |
Granite
Gear since June 1991 |
| Personal
Hero: |
Ed
Hommer |
| Accomplishments: |
My
biggest accomplishment so far is climbing
Mt. Tharpa Chuli in Nepal with Ed Hommer
and the rest of the team. I also consider
myself to be a good friend and a decent
human being. |
How
long I’ve
been a mountain climber: |
I've
been recreational rock climbing for
approximately 11 years. My first big
hike/climb was Long's Peak in Colorado in
1987. My first major climb was last year
when I climbed Mt. Tharpa Chuli. |
| How
I became interested in mountain climbing: |
I
really enjoy the hard work of mountain
climbing. It is a sport that forces you to
totally depend on others for your safety.
Because of this there is an amazing
camaraderie among climbers. I also love
the views and dealing with the unexpected. |
How
I became
part of this expedition: |
Sheer
Luck. I worked on filming with Ed in the
Alaska Range last year on the south face
of the Mooses Tooth. |
Responsibilities
on
the expedition: |
Building
and carrying packs, planning the food for
the entire expedition, hauling loads up
and down the mountain. I will do my part
to be a good representative of the United
States and all of our sponsors. And most
importantly, I will help keep a good,
positive attitude throughout the
expedition. |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
My
number one goal is to see that Ed is the
first double amputee to climb Mt. Everest.
To stay in good health and get as high as
I can. To learn as much as possible about
mountaineering from the best. |
What
the expedition
means to me: |
To
encourage people with amputations to get
out and resume their active lifestyle;
stop hating the world and make it your
playground. It may not be climbing
mountains, but walking down the street or
playing catch with your child. The whole
expedition is about showing people the
possibilities of life without limitations.
This is a lesson that can benefit anyone,
not just those who are physically
challenged. |
How
I know
Ed Hommer: |
I
met Ed in 1999 when he was preparing to
climb Mt. McKinley. He came to Granite
Gear to try on some packs and to look at
other products for his climb. |
| Childhood
memory: |
I
was afraid of Mickey Mouse when we went to
Disneyland. I cried for hours. |
| Hobbies: |
Telemark
skiing, ice climbing, sea
kayaking/surfing, canoeing whitewater,
backpacking, mountain biking, hunting,
fishing, napping in the sun. |
Interesting
fact
about myself: |
I
snore very well. |
| Favorite
Book: |
The
Monkey Wrench Gang by Ed Abby |
| Favorite
Food: |
Shore
lunch with fresh walleye on an island in
the Quetico |
| Favorite
TV Show: |
NOVA |
| Favorite
Music: |
Neil
Young |
| Favorite
Movie: |
“Jeremiah
Johnson” |
|
 |
| Name: |
Dan
Bronstein |
| Birthdate: |
April
19, 1956 |
| Birthplace: |
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania |
| Residence: |
Basalt,
Colorado |
| Family: |
Wife
Dyan, son Donovan, cat Mickey |
| Education: |
Juris
Doctor, 1990, University of Denver College
of Law |
| Occupation: |
Restaurant
Manager |
| Work
history: |
Restaurant
manager; attorney; climbing guide |
| Personal
Hero: |
Any
of the early polar adventurers: Amundsen,
Scott, Perry, Byrd |
| Accomplishments: |
Married
better than I deserved. I have a
beautiful, healthy son. |
How
long I’ve
been a mountain climber: |
30
years |
| How
I became interested in mountain climbing: |
I
started hiking/camping/climbing with my
father and enjoyed the mountains and
scenery. I also enjoy the individual
challenge. |
Responsibilities
on
the expedition: |
Photographs,
film and interviews for the expedition and
NBC/Discovery Channel |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
A
safe and healthy climb for all, great
photography and film and to support Ed on
his trip to the summit. |
What
the expedition
means to me: |
We
all have disabilities that we have to
overcome. Ed is showing us all how far we
can go to overcome them. |
How
I know
Ed Hommer: |
I
was put in touch with Ed by Greg Howard of
Polaris Pools (one of the expedition’s
sponsors). I first met Ed when he came to
Denver for a speaking engagement and slide
show. |
| Hobbies: |
Golf,
biking, swimming |
Interesting
fact
about myself: |
I
got arrested in Tanzania at the airport
for tearing up some extra currency before
leaving the country. |
| Favorite
Books: |
Mystery
and drama |
| Favorite
Food: |
Steak |
| Favorite
TV Shows: |
Comedies |
| Favorite
Music: |
Country
Music |
| Favorite
Movie: |
Any
animated movie |
|
 |
| Name: |
Tom
Halverson |
| Birthdate: |
April
8, 1957 |
| Birthplace: |
Duluth,
Minnesota |
| Residence: |
Cloquet,
Minnesota |
| Family: |
Three
children: Robert, Jacob and Miranda |
| Education: |
Board
Eligible Prosthetist, 1999; Registered
Orthetic, 1978; Registered Prosthesis
Technician, 1977; Century College,
1975-1977; Cloquet High School, 1975 |
| Occupation: |
Prosthetic
and Orthotic Practitioner |
| Work
history: |
Hanger
Prosthetic and Orthotic, 1991 to present;
Northwest Art Limb and Brace, 1978-1991 |
| Accomplishments: |
Helped
provide the prosthesis that made it
possible for Ed Hommer to summit Mt.
McKinley in 1999. |
How
long I’ve
been a mountain climber: |
I’m
not a mountain climber. I’ve done some
ice climbing but nothing extreme. |
How
I became
part of this expedition: |
Because
of my involvement with his prosthesis, and
our friendship, Ed asked me if I would go
along in case he has problems with his
prosthesis on the lower elevations of the
mountain. |
Responsibilities
on
the expedition: |
My
main responsibility is ensure that Ed
receives a set of comfortable prosthesis
capable of withstanding the cold and abuse
that he will give them on a high altitude
expedition. I also worked with and
coordinated the efforts by Seattle
Orthopedic Group, Inc., the company
fabricating the custom heated inserts; and
Spring Lite, the company fabricating
Ed’s custom climbing feet. I am also
coordinating the efforts of Hanger
Prosthetic and Orthotic -- including the
staff of our Duluth and Hibbing offices
who not only help in organization but in
the fabrication of the prosthesis. |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
My
main goal is to help make it possible for
Ed to stand on the summit of Everest and
then return safely. My personal goal is to
climb as high as advanced base camp, which
is approximately 20,000 feet. |
What
the expedition
means to me: |
To
help bring prosthetic componentry to a
third world country to help the people and
the children. This is what it’s all
about; and also helping Ed send the
message that people with disabilities can
control their own limitations. |
How
I know
Ed Hommer: |
In
1983 or 1984 Ed walked into the office
where I worked to see me for a prosthetic
evaluation. He was using crutches and was
walking very poorly. We made him a new set
of prosthesis that worked very well for
him. After a period of time we became
friends. |
| Childhood
memory: |
Going
to the cabin on Cole Lake with my family. |
| Hobbies: |
I
love to hunt, fish, canoe, four wheel and
build things. |
Interesting
fact
about myself: |
I’m
really not too thrilled about heights. |
| Favorite
Food: |
Pappilon
Strawberry Angel Food Cake |
| Favorite
TV Show: |
MASH |
| Favorite
Music: |
County
& Western |
| Favorite
Movie: |
“Die
Hard” |
|
 |
| Name: |
Brian
McCullough |
| Birthdate: |
December
7, 1959 |
| Birthplace: |
Livermoore,
California |
| Residence: |
Talkeetna,
Alaska |
| Family: |
Two
children: Tenaya (16) is a student at the
Pratt Institute of Art and Design and runs
Denali expeditions, and Natalie (15) who
lives in Seattle. |
| Occupation: |
Custom
home builder; fireplace builder; stone
mason; heavy equipment company owner. |
| Work
history: |
Mountaineering,
guiding |
| Personal
Hero: |
My
dad |
| Accomplishments: |
I
build great houses like the home I live in
now, which includes an oak spiral
staircase and a 35 foot tall Rumford
fireplace with up to 800 pounds of rock. I
am a good dad -- my daughter was president
of her junior class and an all-state
cheerleader. I was very involved in the
development of the Dateline NBC piece
featuring Ed Hommer; I contributed 19
photographs. I rescued a climber on
Denali, one year before he lost both feet
to frostbite on Mt. Everest. |
How
long I’ve
been a mountain climber: |
Since
1974 |
| How
I became interested in mountain climbing: |
My
dad was from Alaska and was very
interested in mountaineering. We went out
climbing every weekend. |
How
I became
part of this expedition: |
Sheer
Luck. I worked on filming with Ed in the
Alaska Range last year on the south face
of the Mooses Tooth. |
Responsibilities
on
the expedition: |
Take
photographs, break trail, carry load, lead
the route. |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
For
the team to come home safely. To get Ed as
high as possible. |
What
the expedition
means to me: |
Getting
together with friends; adventure; over
twenty year history with climbing;
celebrating the grand circle of life. |
How
I know
Ed Hommer: |
I
was one of the rescuers who located Ed
when his plane crashed on Mt. McKinley in
1981. |
| Childhood
memory: |
Family
vacation to Mexico |
| Hobbies: |
Photography |
Interesting
fact
about myself: |
I
am the strongest guy wherever I go; I’ve
never lost in arm wrestling. |
| Favorite
Authors: |
James
Michener and Tom Clancey |
| Favorite
Food: |
Mexican |
| Favorite
TV Show: |
I
don’t watch TV. |
| Favorite
Music: |
Natalie
Merchant |
| Favorite
Movie: |
“Eiger
Sanction” starring Clint Eastwood as an
assassin during a mountain climbing trip |
|
 |
| Name: |
Kelly
Raymond |
| Birthdate: |
November
30, 1966 |
| Birthplace: |
Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Residence: |
Sault
Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada |
| Family: |
Wife
Heather, daughter Jessica. |
| Education: |
OAC,
pre-university program in Canada |
| Occupation: |
Restaurant
manager; ice climbing guide |
| Personal
Hero: |
Alex
Lowe |
| Accomplishments: |
Partnered
with Ed Hommer on a successful summit of
Mt. McKinley, 1999 |
How
long I’ve
been a mountain climber: |
11
years |
| How
I became interested in mountain climbing: |
As
a youngster, my mom would take me to local
crags and I would scramble on them. |
How
I became
part of this expedition: |
I
have been involved in this expedition
since the very beginning. |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
A
safe summit for everyone; a safe return
home; have some fun. |
What
the expedition
means to me: |
Overcoming
lifeÍs obstacles. |
How
I know
Ed Hommer: |
Ed
is my main climbing partner. |
| Childhood
memory: |
Long
walks in the forest with my mom and my
brother. |
| Hobbies: |
Cross
country skiing, mountain biking and
swimming |
| Favorite
Book: |
The
Art of War by Sun Tzu |
| Favorite
Food: |
Cheesburgers |
| Favorite
TV Show: |
MASH |
| Favorite
Music: |
Sammy
Haggar |
| Favorite
Movie: |
“Beau
Geste” and “The Man Who Would Be
King” |
|
| Jim
Sturgis |
| Name: |
Jim
Sturgis |
| Birthdate: |
September
25, 1959 |
| Birthplace: |
Atlanta,
Georgia |
| Residence: |
Keller,
Texas |
| Family: |
Wife
Kimberly, son Cameron, daughter Melanie |
| Education: |
A
year and a half at Michigan State |
| Occupation: |
Principal
and founder: CAVOK International, Inc., an
air carrier consulting firm; Nuance
Advertising, LLC, an advertising firm; and
Sirius IT, LLC, an internet technology
training and consulting firm. |
| Work
history: |
Wide
area networking technology consultant; air
carrier management; airline pilot and
instructor; backpack and wilderness guide;
computer programmer; sous-chef; pizza
maker |
| Personal
Hero: |
Ed
Hommer |
How
I became
part of this expedition: |
I
asked how I could help support the effort. |
Responsibilities
on
the expedition: |
Procurement
of shipping support (United Parcel
Service) and related coordination,
assisting with initial base camp
establishment and assisting Karl Swanson
with communication and power. |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
A
safe and successful venture for all. |
What
the
expedition means
to me: |
The
guys climbing this mountain display an
amazing amount of courage, discipline and
intestinal fortitude that should serve as
an inspiration to all, particularly those
with mobility impairments or other
obstacles that tend to be a part of this
great ride called life. |
How
I know
Ed Hommer: |
Ed
and I worked together at a little airline
called Simmons Airlines in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan in the late 1980s.
We became good friends, did some fishing
and camping together and even have had a
beer or two together. |
| Childhood
memory: |
Sir
Edmond Hillary spoke at my middle school
in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was
mesmerizing and left a profound impression
on me as a little kid. |
| Hobbies: |
Cooking,
flying, fishing, camping, golf,
computer/networking systems and
technologies. |
Interesting
fact
about myself: |
I'll
get back to you on that one! |
| Favorite
Book: |
The
Hunt for Red October |
| Favorite
Food: |
Yes,
in large quantities and well prepared;
particularly salmon. |
|
 |
| Name: |
Karl
Swanson |
| Birthdate: |
March
11, 1959 |
| Birthplace: |
Suburb
of Chicago |
| Residence: |
My
ranch, 14 miles out of Talkeetna, Alaska |
| Family: |
Girlfriend
Heike Merkel, whitewater raft guide and
civil engineer. Two brothers, one
geologist, one lighting tech for traveling
broadway shows. Two traveling parents; I
believe they are in Uzbeckistan now. |
| Education: |
University
of Alaska Anchorage, Bachelors in Business
Administration |
| Occupation: |
Self-employed
mountain guide, accountant and logger |
| Work
history: |
Community
health center manager; auditor; outdoor
equipment sales; carpenter; migrant
laborer |
| Personal
Hero: |
Ed
Hommer |
| Accomplishments: |
Ten
expeditions on Denali (Mt. McKinley).
Climbed three of the seven summits. |
How
long I’ve
been a mountain climber: |
Since
high school |
| How
I became interested in mountain climbing: |
I
grew up hiking in the mountains with my
family. |
How
I became
part of this expedition: |
Sheer
Luck. I worked on filming with Ed in the
Alaska Range last year on the south face
of the Mooses Tooth. |
Responsibilities
on
the expedition: |
Communications
and solar power |
| Goals
for the expedition: |
Come
home. Help Ed achieve his goals. |
What
the expedition
means to me: |
We
all have disabilities that we have to
overcome. Ed is showing us all how far we
can go to overcome them. |
How
I know
Ed Hommer: |
I'm
a friend and climbing partner of Brian
McCullough. |
| Childhood
memory: |
Family
vacations for me were always wilderness
Alaskan adventures. Usually just the
family would spend a week or two canoeing
down some river in Alaska without seeing
another person. |
| Hobbies: |
Skiing,
orienteering |
| Favorite
Book: |
The
White Spider |
| Favorite
Food: |
Fresh
grouse cooked in red wine |
| Favorite
TV Show: |
None |
| | |
