The News Tribune reports Dave Johnston, a 62-year-old climber from Talkeetna, Alaska, is the first man to climb to the highest point in all 50 states in the winter. He’s also reached the summits in the summer. In 2003, Johnston, his wife, Cari Sayre, and son Galen all completed 50. That same year, Galen became the youngest person to check off the list at age 12.
(more…)
Jack Frank passes this along:
It is noteworthy to many in the club of the passing of Don Pinyan, 48 completer #137. Don died of cancer in February at the age of 79. He completed the lower 48 highpoints on Granite Peak at the age of 72 and climbed the Grand Teton by the Exum Ridge at age 75. He was truly an inspiration to everyone who climbed with him. Don was a loyal member of the Mountain High Hikers, a Georgia-based hiking club, and in January the club gathered at the Wilderness Wildlife Week conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Many of Don’s climbing buddies also traveled south for the event in which a slide show highlighting Don’s highpointing exploits was featured. Sharing that event with Don was a special time for many people. He will be greatly missed.
The Missoulian reprots that Mario Locatelli, the “Mountain Goat of the Bitterroots,” wants to be the oldest to climb Mount Everest. On July 5 last year, at the age of 71 years and 7 months, Locatelli became the oldest person to climb Alaska’s 20,320-foot Denali Peak, formerly known as Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. On July 5 last year, at the age of 71 years and 7 months, Locatelli became the oldest person to climb Mount McKinley (he also completed all 50). Mario took Jack Longacre’s ashes up Mount Kilimanjaro in December 2003. The Everest record stands at 65 years old. “I am now 72,” says Locatelli, “and must grab this window of opportunity within the next 18 months. You have to know your limits. But I already know that I can do this.” Locatelli figures it will cost him about $70,000 to join an expedition to climb Everest, located on the border of Tibet and Nepal. And he’s hoping to find sponsors to help him raise the money. Anyone interested in helping sponsor Hamilton’s Mario Locatelli’s attempt to become the oldest person to climb Mount Everest, can call him at (406) 363-1262, or write him at 165 Mountain Goat Road, Hamilton, MT 59840.
