In Grateful Acknowledgment

As I mentioned in another post: Spending weeks at a time away from civilized society and out in the wondrous natural world is restorative for the soul, healthy for the body, and clarifying for the mind. In short, it is good, beautiful, and true—simultaneously grounding and uplifting.

Yet, it turns out that two full months of isolation is a lot—even for an introvert like me. 

I would be remiss if I did not thank the dozens of you who have taken time to check in on my progress or drop a line as I have been up here.

My incomparable wife has been dutifully forwarding well-wishing messages from friends, family members, strangers, and Buckeye supporters alike through a satellite-based texting device. She often holds them until I am experiencing illness (as everyone does in one form or another), an impediment to my resolve, or an increase in my near-constant exhaustion, and then passes along the encouraging words to bolster my spirits—so, to everyone who has cheered me on, please accept my deepest appreciation!

You have provided fuel to my determination and power to fight the nagging demons that inevitably creep in. If I make the summit and return safely home, it is at least in part due to your collective kindness and outreach.

I have learned to overcome or at least tolerate the inconveniently-timed intrusions of doubt, but I have noticed over the years how frequently it happens that climbers give in and turn around as a result. No shame on them for doing what they must, but I have to keep going in order to accomplish this profoundly personal mission.

There are those who especially deserve to be mentioned and highlighted by name for grateful acknowledgement.

First and foremost: the ones who generously underwrote the production of this website/platform for my blogging, including its corresponding photography, videography, and marketing, so that I can share updates, images, and stories that I hope provide a vicarious taste of climbing Everest alongside PaDawa and me.

There is still plenty of time to contribute and add yourself to the prestigious alphabetically-ordered list below! Select PROFOUND CLIMBING™ from the dropdown options if you give online. If you have already donated, but your name is not reflected below, wait 48 hours and it should be updated. If not, let us know.

Anonymous (multiple)
David Azerrad
Kim Dennis
Chris and Sara Flannery
Tom Klingenstein
Alicia Manning
Shane S. McCullar
Heather Pfitzenmaier
David A. Wildermuth

Dan Brophy whose familiarity with the outdoors rivals his expertise as a commodities futures trader who served on the Chicago Board of Trade’s Board of Directors. His insights, strategic thinking, and sound counsel have reassured my wife whenever she needs to interpret my GPS coordinates or an inexplicable pause in my movements on a given mountain.

Lisa Gates and Gus Thompson at The Buckeye Institute whose immense talents have elevated (see what I did there?) the entire PROFOUND CLIMBING™ project.

Board members at The Buckeye Institute, who (perhaps occasionally to their chagrin) enable me to follow my wildest dreams and fulfill my personal and professional callings simultaneously:
Hal R. Arkes
Mark D. Jordan
Andrew O. Smith
Bradley A. Smith

My favorite college and law school professors, impactful former bosses, trusted advisors, and treasured mentors, in alphabetical order:
David Addington
Albert W. Alschuler
Larry P. Arnn
Alice M. Batchelder
William G. Batchelder III, R.I.P.
Robert H. Bork, R.I.P.
Dan Brophy
James P. Buchwald, R.I.P.
David P. Currie, R.I.P.
Richard A. Epstein
Edwin J. Feulner, Jr.
Christopher Flannery
Michael G. Franc
Todd F. Gaziano
Philip Hamburger
Jerry D. Jordan, R.I.P.
Charles R. Kesler
David M. Mason
Edwin Meese III
Allan H. Meltzer, R.I.P.
Ronald J. Pestritto
Daniel S. Peters
A. Bruce Porter, R.I.P.
Larry Sammartino, R.I.P.
Peter W. Schramm, R.I.P.
Bradley A. Smith
Jeffrey S. Sutton
Sylvio Venditti, R.I.P.
John Von Kannon, R.I.P.
David L. Weeks
Kenneth R. Weinstein
Linda Whetstone, R.I.P.
Marshall Wittmann

Nobody has ever been as blessed in this category. These good folks mentioned above are the Everests of their respective fields and of my life, and I am extraordinarily lucky to have worked for, studied under, and/or been mentored by each one.

My relentless Sherpa, training coach, mountain guides, and legends of our sport, in random order:

Pasang Dawa Sherpa whose only speed is LFG.

Leif Whittaker, the coach who prepared me so thoroughly for Everest, and whose dad remains an inspiration to American mountaineers everywhere.

Dave Hahn who on Denali/McKinley showed me exactly what the apex of professional guiding looks like.

Vern Tejas and Jangbu Sherpa whose expertise and well-calibrated yin and yang style on Vinson Massif in Antarctica led the whole team to summit.

Mike Hamill, author of the definitive and aptly-named book on Climbing the Seven Summits and his company of the same name (CTSS), who provides unparalleled expedition planning, logistical support, and best-in-class programs on Everest.

Alex Honnold for demonstrating to the world a tangible example of excellence, self-confidence, and humility while raising the bar in and profile of rock climbing.

Tracee Metcalfe for generously offering advice and helping me secure PaDawa as my very own Sherpa Guide and boss for this epic adventure.

Alan Arnette whose tireless reporting about mountains generally—and Everest, specifically—is an invaluable resource and beneficial service to the entire world, in addition to his heartfelt personal Alzheimer’s advocacy.

Griffin Kerwin who visually chronicled my trek to Everest Base Camp and early days in the Khumbu Icefall while mimicking a mountain goat moving into contorted positions to acquire incredible angles for the shots.

My miracle-working physician Andrew M. Thomas whose competent leadership of The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center is unrivaled, whose networked connections saved me during my overseas HAPE misfortune, and whose Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute team rehabbed my rotator cuff injury just in time for me to train for Everest.

My late parents, R.I.P.:
Donna Marie and Robert L. “Dr. Bob” Alt

My siblings:
Brian Alt
Brenda Kublank
Denise Alt

My little foster brother whom I ultimately adopted:
Tim Alt

My son (mi’jo):
Benjamin J. Hildebrandt

My best friend, forever:
Roger L. Beckett, R.I.P.

Last, but in no way whatsoever least—the very best of all the good boys—my sweet dog Beckett, whom I named in Roger’s honor.