Inspiration
LIFE ABOVE
SURVIVAL OVER 26,000 FT.
David Roskelley, of Alpine, Utah, has done something few others on this planet have ever attempted––he has climbed the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. The inspiration for such a feat came from his uncle who climbed Mount Everest. As a twelve-year-old boy, David was traveling through Wyoming with family friends from his hometown of Chicago. He remembers the first time he set eyes upon the Rockies; seeing them unlocked a desire in him to someday climb them. After coming to Utah to attend Brigham Young University, David began spending time climbing smaller mountains. After a few years, he reached a summit of significance for the first time in his life: Mount Timpanogos (11,753 feet), located in Utah.
Training and Preparation
With Mount Everest being the definitive challenge, David knew he had to begin his training and preparation early. Fortunately for him, Utah is the perfect state to train in because of the cold weather and the high altitude. His preparation included running in twenty-degree temperatures and at altitudes of up to 11,000 feet. David says you cannot train to only climb Mount Everest; you have to work your way up by training on the other mountains first.
David Roskelley (bottom), Stephen Pearson (top), and Thile Nuru (middle) climbing in the Khumbu icefall on the way to Camp 1 (David Roskelley)
