Ethan, however, who plan to live out of a camper van as they travel through 11 countries and complete a weeklong volunteer project in each, the summiting of the two mountains — while personally fulfilling and exciting — will not be the primary focus of the trip. “All of us have talked a long time about wanting to climb mountains in North and South America,” Jonathan said. “We got into the mindset that so many people go on climbs just to have another mountain under their belt, and we wanted to make our trip much more than checking a peak off the list.” Jonathan, who left a job at a video-production company out of New York a year ago to pursue a mountaineering dream here in Aspen, came up with the name “Between the Peaks” to focus on the idea that true success lies not in personal achievements but in the ways in which an individual can impact and give back to a community. “The most important goal was to make the project diverse so we could split our time and immerse ourselves within these communities,” Ethan said. “We sought and formed relationships with small organizations that don’t necessarily have a lot of international funding in order to make the biggest difference possible.” Ethan, who has continued a lasting friendship with Jonathan since high school and came to Aspen to fulfill similar aspirations, says his excitement lies within the anticipation of the journey, of the people and experiences he will witness along the way. ASIDE FROM THE obvious challenge of summiting the two mountains, the three men foresee the hardest part to be the conflict of pulling themselves away from every project and leaving a community for another after only a week’s worth of work. “We only have six months to do so much, and with every new country will come the uncertainty of a new place and environment,” Ethan said. “We truly don’t know what will happen from one place to another, but I suppose that’s the part that turns us on the most.” On the other hand, the three refuse to turn a blind eye to the deadly consequences each mountain has demonstrated to fateful climbers who have gone before. Separate from their individual
THE DETAILS SPONSORS ALREADY ON BOARD: 1. Justin’s Nut Butter 2. Event Video Company
ORGANIZATIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Save the Wild Chinchillas Peace Corps Eco Volunteer Up Sports for Development Al Natural Resort Essence Arenal Project Bona Fide Art for Humanity Perkins Educational Opportunities Foundation 10. Chico Mendez Reforestation Project 11. CHOICE Mexico 12. Habitat for Humanity 13. UNICEF Canada
PLACES: 1. Argentina 2. Chile 3. Peru 4. Ecuador 5. Colombia 6. Panama 7. Costa Rica 8. Nicaragua 9. Honduras 10. El Salvador 11. Guatemala 12. Mexico 13. United States 14. Canada
A S P E N T I M E S . C O M / W E E K LY
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