Successful Climbing for Health Care in Nepal Trip

After a stunning summit bid on Island Peak, five of our team reached the summit (20,305 feet)! Jared Wolcott, Rick Westermeyer, Jon Fessler, Brian Jensen and Les Zollbrecht all enjoyed the thin air of this spectacular 6,000 meter mountain. The climb included some 3rd-4th class scambling, glacier travel with two cravasses to jump over, a bergschrund to cross on a bridge and 400 feet of water ice to scale to the fixed lined summit ridge that led to the peak. Jon Fessler carried his HD camera to the summit and captured some high altitude shots of the team with the backdrop of the Khumbu region and several of the highest peaks in the world. The descent was marked with a high altitude rescue of a climber who contracted Acute Mountain Sickness 100 feet from the summit! Jared Wolcott helper her down the 600 foot head wall on rope and then Les and Jared short roped and guided her down another 3,000 feet to base camp where she recovered over then next few hours. For all of you who have been praying for this expedition--thanks!

After three long days of walking we 

arrived in Lukla and had a big celebration with the 18-person team who made this climb a success. 

It was an incredible time with many new 

friends made. 

A special thanks to each person for the invaluable contribution:

Nepali Guides:
Jagat Lama, Chet Lama, Lal Tamang and Nima Pisang Tamang

Nepali Porters:
Lahkpa Sherpa, Jangbu Sherpa, 

Ganga, Purna, Bishnu, Sireme Rai, Santosh Rai and Ramh Singh

US Guide:
Les Zollbrecht

Climbers:
Brian Jensen, Jon Fessler, Ann 

Westermeyer, Rick Westermeyer and Jared Wolcott