13 year old boy summits Mt. Everest - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

**Chip** · 22nd May 2010, 12:36 PM

OK, so he isn't gay, and this has no LGBT references, but it is just an incredibly inspiring story. This 13 year old guy from California has successfully climbed the highest peaks on every continent but Antarctica (that's scheduled for later this year). And it has been HIS idea all the way along rather than his parents pushing him.

He also leads an outdoor leadership program for kids from 4th to 12th grade in his local community and speaks out for healthy lifestyles.

Word came that he actually reached the summit at Everest few hours ago. He isn't back at base camp yet so there's no post-summit interview footage yet, but here's a clip where they talk to him as he's prepping for it.

+ YouTube Video

Shevanel · 22nd May 2010, 12:56 PM

It'd be pretty damn awesome to do that. (I agree with the newscaster that the kid's pretty mature for 13) My problem would be not the going up part. It's going down. I wouldn't be able to handle it xD Heights are horrible for me

Beachboi92 · 22nd May 2010, 04:32 PM

all i can think about is i wish i was rich enough to be able to do those kinds of things.......

Revan · 22nd May 2010, 09:01 PM

His voice is pretty low already for 13 year old, so no wonder he's pretty mature lol

**Chip** · 22nd May 2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachboi92

all i can think about is i wish i was rich enough to be able to do those kinds of things.......

His family isn't wealthy. His dad is a life flight paramedic. The climbs are being done with corporate sponsorships and donations and he's been out promoting the climb everywhere to earn the money and corporate sponsorships to pay for it.

So if you *really* wanted to make something like that happen... it's possible, but it's a lot of work.

SlickyPants · 25th May 2010, 08:58 PM

It astounds me that he is only 13 and has had way more awesome life experiences than I will probably ever have. He is definitely an inspiration.

Perhaps if the human race ever sets foot on Mars during his generation he will be able to climb Olympus Mons, the tallest known mountain in our solar system.

22nd May 2010, 12:56 PM	#2
Shevanel One Is Light. One Is Dark. Full Member Gender: The Dude Orientation: Bi-Winning Out Status: Everybody and Your Mom. Location: Bolivar, Ohio (From NY though) Age: 21 Posts: 7,672 Join Date: Dec 2008	Re: 13 year old boy summits Mt. Everest It'd be pretty damn awesome to do that. (I agree with the newscaster that the kid's pretty mature for 13) My problem would be not the going up part. It's going down. I wouldn't be able to handle it xD Heights are horrible for me __________________ If there were no rewards to reap, No loving embrace to see me through this tedious path I've chosen here, I certainly would've walked away by now. Gonna wait it out... Be patient.

22nd May 2010, 04:32 PM	#3
Beachboi92 Occasionally Caddy Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: queer Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Frederick Maryland Age: 19 Posts: 2,226 Join Date: Jul 2009	Re: 13 year old boy summits Mt. Everest all i can think about is i wish i was rich enough to be able to do those kinds of things....... __________________ All men are created equal, it is only men themselves who place themselves above equality. David Allan Coe

22nd May 2010, 09:01 PM	#4
Revan EC Addict Full Member Gender: M for MEEP! Orientation: Mutant and Proud Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Windsor, Ontario Age: 24 Posts: 6,564 Join Date: Jun 2005	Re: 13 year old boy summits Mt. Everest His voice is pretty low already for 13 year old, so no wonder he's pretty mature lol __________________ "Is there some reason my coffee isn't here? Has she died or something?" - Miranda Priestly. Strength is not defined by physical capacity, but by indomitable will. ~ Mahatma Gandhi Procrastination is like masturbation, in the end you just wind up screwing yourself.

25th May 2010, 08:58 PM	#6
SlickyPants EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Age: 26 Posts: 542 Join Date: Oct 2007	Re: 13 year old boy summits Mt. Everest It astounds me that he is only 13 and has had way more awesome life experiences than I will probably ever have. He is definitely an inspiration. Perhaps if the human race ever sets foot on Mars during his generation he will be able to climb Olympus Mons, the tallest known mountain in our solar system.

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