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Introducing Soldiers to Summits
A lot of exciting events have been happening with a new program we are partnering with called Soldiers to Summits (S2S). This program helps empower veterans to overcome physical and mental barriers. Each year, thousands of wounded veterans return home from Iraq or Afghanistan. Soldiers to Summits provides camaraderie to wounded veterans and helps them restructure their lives and prepare for their future.
Soldiers to Summits was created by Jeff Messner, Erik Weihenmayer, and the team that helped Erik reach the top of Mt. Everest in 2001, when he became the only blind person in history to reach the summit. Erik, who is also the only blind person to reach the top of the Seven Summits, has participated in many Global Explorers expeditions and is a valued member of the GEx Family.
In October 2010, the team led eleven disabled military veterans to the Himalayan summit of the difficult 20,075-foot Mt. Lobuche, providing a challenging environment for self reflection, perseverance, healing, and ultimately, transformation.
This extraordinary expedition celebrating courage and the enduring human spirit was depicted in the documentary “High Ground,” by Oscar-nominated producer Don Hahn and award-winning director Michael Brown.
Just threeweeks ago, “High Ground” premiered at the Boulder International Film Festival, where it drew great praise and won 2 awards, including the much coveted People’s Choice Award. Last week, Red Flag Releasing acquired the film for distribution, planning a late summer release.
We’d like to congratulate everyone involved in this project, in particular the amazing veterans that made this possible! Keep your eyes open for “High Ground” when it releases later this summer. If you can't wait until the summer, however, catch a screening of it during the Vail Film Festival, where it will be shown March 30th and 31st!
While it’s been a busy time for Soldiers to Summit, they’re just now gearing up for their next expedition! The application deadline recently closed, and applicants are being considered for the next S2S adventure: a climb to Cotopaxi! Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Cotopaxi is the second highest peak in Ecuador and a spectacular 19,347-foot climb. Stay tune for updates throughout the year on the program and its participants, which will culminate with a December 2012 ascent.
Be sure to visit the official Soldiers to Summit website and Like them on Facebook for more information on this organization that provides invaluable opportunities for our wounded veterans.
