Matt Brennan of Cincinnati and Mount Everest
I think we can all agree we are extremely proud of Matthew at his courage and persistence. We all wish you a safe travel back home and cannot wait to hear about your journey.
Truly an inspiration ?
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Due to the nature of following Brennen’s climb, both his Alpine Ascents Team and Loveland Magazine were relying on audio dispatches from the lead climbers. We reported as they did yesterday that the “Team” had made the summit. The dispatch did not say at the time however what we now have learned. When Brennan reached 28,000 ft on Mount Everest, “Due to crowds, weather and exhaustion this is where he turned around to descend from the mountain.”
Mt Everest, Nepal, China – Team leader, Ben Jones reported today that the Alpine Ascents team, including Loveland, Ohio resident Matt Brennan reached the summit of Mount Everest today May 23rd at 11:15 AM Nepal time (1:30 AM, Eastern Time*).
Jones later reported that the team safely reported back to the South Col. The South Col is the sharp-edged col between Mount Everest and Lhotse, the highest and fourth highest mountains in the world.
Everest has always been the dream for Loveland resident of 26 years, Matt Brennan. This was the 2nd time he attempted the 80-day climb that has only been completed by about 4,000 people in history. Brennan was the first second in the Cincinnati area to make the trek.**
Brennan’s long time goal was to climb the “Seven Summits” – the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents. He’s conquered Mt. Aconcagua, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, and Denali. Less than 500 people have completed the challenge, and less than 150 Americans have summited all seven. Last December he climbed to the summit of Mt. Vinson in Antartica. And now Everest!
Read more about Mt. Everest, the Earth’s highest mountain above sea level (elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft).
For reference Loveland is 482′ above sea level and Denver’s Mile High Stadium is – you guessed, 5,280′. Brennan climbed 28,547 ‘ (5.41 miles) higher than his hometown.
*Why is Kathmandu time 15 minutes different?
More significantly, it is 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time. And that sets us apart, because it is the only time zone in the world that is only 15 minutes different than that of an adjacent country.
** Barry Chapman Bishop (January 13, 1932 – September 24, 1994[1]) was an American mountaineer, scientist, photographer and scholar. With teammates Jim Whittaker, Lute Jerstad, Willi Unsoeld and Tom Hornbein, he was a member of the first American team to summit Mount Evereston May 22, 1963.
