Climb Above Parkinsons

CLIMB ABOVE PARKINSONS

This GoFundMe page is a fundraising effort for a two year long campaign to Climb the Seven Summits of the World to draw awareness and support to Parkinson’s Disease, and to support US Military veterans afflicted with Parkinson’s and other debilitating cognitive illnesses.

The associated campaign hashtag will be #climbaboveparkinsons #climbabove, and #neverstopmoving.

Mission Statement

I aspire to climb the highest mountain on each continent of the world, within 2 calendar years from the date of commencement. I will do so to honor the memory of my Father, Jerry E. McClaren, who suffered from and ultimately succumbed to Parkinson’s Disease on December 1, 2016. He was 59 years old. I ask you to help me fulfill my dream, honor my Father's memory, and do a bit of good for US Veterans and those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.

My approach in climbing these mountains will be done with the greatest degree of frugality, planning, self-sufficienty, and effort, primarily without the benefit or use of guiding services, Sherpas, or porters.

Please read below for further descriptions, and thank you in advance for your spiritual and financial support.

A Bit of Information on My Inspiration

My Father instilled in me confidence, determination, and stoicism.  In his everyday actions, as a Father, Husband, Soldier, and Man, my Father provided unconditional love few can ever state with conviction to hold in possession in their lifetime.

Unfortunately, nature struck my Father with the most heinous of incurable maladies. At only the age of 48, my Father began to demonstrate the unmistakable signs of the neurological destruction that is Parkinson's Disease. Only a short 3 years later, he would bury his wife, at the age of 52, herself a young woman. He never had the opportunity to recover from his loss, to grieve his lifetime spouse, and then to move forward in life and write a second chapter.  He was officially diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease shortly after Mom passed, in August 2009.

Thereafter, over the course of a short 7 years, he would succumb to this horrible disease. He first gave up his mobility, then his mind, and then his dignity. He would never know the depths of paralysis to which the disease would subject him.

My Father died from Parkinson's Disease, being only 59 years old on the day of his passing. I watched him take his last breath, I held his hand as he clutched it in a final agonizing fight to remain alive, and he turned to me and opened his eyes, cried his final tear, inhaled for the last time, and he left this Earth.

He died December 1, 2016, and I scattered his ashes at sea on January 20, 2017. A memorial to him and my Mother remains eternally at Lake Balboa, in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.

While my Father was in poor mental health at the time of his passing, his cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, and the remainder of his being, were in exceptionally noteworthy condition.

For all of the reasons, I am going to climb the highest mountain on every continent, to demonstrate that the power of the mind can overcome all obstacles.  Furthermore, the power of movement, to date, is the only known cure for the disease.

My Climbing Resume and Motivational Statement

Being born a climber is something not realized in most until a much later stage in life. I eventually realized my passion at the age of 25, by some standards a later start, when a Swiss man daringly challenged me to climb to the top of a mountain. Challenge accepted, and 10 hours later and with a new state of mind, I have never looked back.

I don't necessarily consider myself an exceptional climber; rather, I consider myself an exceptional sufferer and adventurist! One must truly be willing to endure many unpleasant challenges when climbing, and upon the conclusion, the reward is unapparelled. 

My climbing resume is lengthy, if not anything else. I have climbed all of the 14,000 feet mountain in California, 5 or so by myself.

I can lead multiple rope lengths of rock climbing using traditional protection.

I can lead water ice climbs, frozen couloirs, and I have very strong navigation skills.

I have climbed in North Africa, Northern Spain, Southern Peru, and Central Chile. I attempted and came very close to a complete solo effort to summit Aconcagua, 22,870 feet (appx), and I have been above 21,000 twice.

Climbing is not without risk, and I have had several close calls, several "climbing epics" and many incredibly long days. I have persevered through all, and I know I have very deep reserves, especially when it counts and life is at stake. Ultimately, every step counts in climbing, and individual steps become monumental accomplishments.
I have always had the tenacity to try, the willingness to fail, and the resolve to never stop trying, despite my setbacks.

The human heart and mind provide the greatest combination for success ever conceived in any creature that may grace this great Earth. Unfortunately, a disease of the mind is what can take an otherwise healthy, determined heart, and debilitate the soul.

The Seven Summits

The Seven Summits (In Order of Attempt):

1. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa, 19340 ft (completed November 2017);
2. Aconcagua, Argentina, South America, 22,902 ft (completed January 2018);
3. Mt. Denali, Alaska, North America, 20,320 ft (scheduled June 2018); 
4. Vinson Massif, Antarctica, Elevation 16,067 feet.
5. Mount Everest, Nepal, Asia, 29,035 ft;
6. Carstensz Pyramid, New Guinea, Australia, 16,023 ft; 
7. Mt. Elbrus, Russia, Europe, 18,513 ft;

My effort will be one of great frugality and self-reliance. In this regard, of the seven mountains I will attempt, I intend to ascend five with no external support. This means I will take complete responsibility for all logistics and permitting needs, as well as in determining the routes while on the mountains, thereby eliminating very costly guiding services. For Mount Everest, I will use a Nepali guiding service, as opposed to a Western Based service provider, again significantly reducing the economics of the endeavor. For Vinson Massif (Antarctica), I will use the services of a Western Based guiding service, Sierra Mountaineering International, as I consider the risk of traveling and climbing in Antarctica to be too great to attempt without Class A support.

Money for Parkinson’s Research and U.S. Veterans

My goal to achieve this endeavor will be $125,000.00. Regardless of how much I receive in donations, I will donate One Third (1/3) of net proceeds equally between The Parkinsons Foundation and to The Inspire Projects, a charity benefitting veterans of the United States Military. Should I succumb to an illness or injury which prohibits my goal, all remaining proceeds received will be directed equally to these charities.

Parting Thoughts

I am self-made in every way, and as such, my integrity and determination are without reproach. I dare to dream and try this endeavor, and if you support me, your encouragement and support will not go unnoticed. Individually, each contribution will be with me as I embark on my endeavor, and will carry my dream, and your belief that anything is possible, to the highest point on each summit of every land.

I will post updates regularly, and share them to whomever has an interest in this endeavor. Thank you, most sincerely, for your interest, support, and belief in this dream.

Sincerely,

Anthony "Mic" McClaren