Benjamin Breckheimer Ascends Denali to Become First Ever Veteran Purple Heart to Climb all Seven Summits
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Lafayette, CO (June 14, 2021) – Trango, the award-winning manufacturer and international distributor of technical climbing equipment is proud announce that US Army veteran and Purple Heart Summits member, Benjamin Breckheimer, has successfully become the world’s first combat wounded veteran to climb all Seven Summits. Breckheimer achieved the final summit of his eight-year project by summiting Denali yesterday, the tallest mountain in North America.
Breckheimer, along Dr. Eric Meyer and retired Air Force Colonel, Dave Ashley, who is attempting to become the first veteran organ donor to climb all Seven Summits, reached the summit of Denali (elev. 20, 310 ft.) at 5:45pm on Sunday evening. The team is currently making their way back to base camp at 17,200 ft.
“This dream wouldn’t have been realized without some incredible support over the past eight years and since taking on the challenge of climbing the world’s tallest mountains,” Breckheimer said. “This dream would not have been achieved without the support of ONETEAMCF, NZ Angles, the National Kidney Foundation, Trango Climbing and scores of other individuals who have contributed time and money to the effort.”
According to Purple Heart Summits founder, Rob Powers, “Purple Heart Summits works with the US Department of Defense and military leadership to place veteran mentors in areas of operation to improve individual and unit resiliency and expand the limits of what’s possible in the field. With the same spirit, the Purple Hearts Summits mission is to connect combat wounded, veterans, active-duty personnel and civilian patriot mentors all to dream big and work hard to stand on top of our dreams.”
“The integrity of a program like Purple Heart Summits inspires us to be the best we can be as a company,” said Chris Klinke, President of Trango. “As a life-long climber, former guide and leader of a thirty-year-old climbing company, the alignment we have with the Purple Heart Summits mission strikes deep in our core. Climbing always presents many challenges, but along with those challenges come the celebrated successes and we’re very honored to be a part of this initiative.”
“To prove that life doesn’t stop after living organ donation, I set the goal of achieving the Seven Summits with just one kidney,” said Ashley. “I’m super excited to have reached the summit of Denali, my second of seven, and I’m looking forward to climbing higher from here. I’m deeply honored that Purple Heart Summits and Trango helped make this possible.”
About Trango
Trango has been designing climbing gear in the Front Range since 1991 and remains passionate about creating innovative, solution-oriented products that help climbers achieve the next level in the sport. Beyond award-winning climbing equipment, Trango is also the U.S. distributor for Spanish rock-climbing shoe company Tenaya while also owning eGrips, a rock-climbing hold company that produces climbing grips in Colorado.
