On Oct 3rd, 2011, six US Air Force members proudly flew the USAF and American flags from the summit of Australia's highest peak, Mt. Kosciuszko. Greeted by bright sunshine and fresh snow, the team used snow shoes and backcountry skis to reach the summit. As a special addition to this climb, six Australian military members joined the trip. Five of them made it to the top with the USAF 7 Summits Challenge team, marking our first multinational climb!
It was a fun and unique trip 'Down Under'. Team members were able to fit in visits to Sydney and the capital, Canberra. In Canberra, they paid tribute to Australian military members at a dusk memorial ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial. Below is a photo of two team members in front of the Australian-American Memorial, signifying Australian gratitude for America's help during WWII.
The small mountain village of Thredbo was used for base camp. Upon arrival, the team found temps to be in the 40s and raining. However, the temps were cold enough that it was snowing heavily on the upper portion of the mountains. The following two days, some team members skied in the fresh October snow. What luck to arrive just in time to enjoy a spring snow. With visibility ranging between 10 and 300ft, there was worry the poor weather could hamper the push to the summit. But on the morning of the climb, the clouds and low visibility were replaced by bright sun and fresh snow.
On the summit, American team members gathered for pushups in honor of Airmen who have died in the line of duty since 9/11. After 50 of them, the team began its descent. Two team members attached the American and USAF flags to their backpacks and descending on telemark skis. The whoops of joy from the skiers and their bright flags flying overhead made it clear to all below that the USAF 7 Summits team had successfully reached their sixth peak!
Upon reaching the bottom, the Americans and Aussies kicked off their boots and winter gear and celebrated. Sitting outside in the sunshine, enjoying drinks and snacks, they shared stories- of their respective nations, their families, time spent in combat zones, and about the trip up the summit. It was a great way to form bonds between military members and to realize how much alike people from both nations are. The Australians were excellent hosts and the trip could not have gone better!
(Pre-Climb Post)
Mt. Kosciuszko
7,310ft / 2228m New South Wales, Australia
The highest peak on the Australian continent, Mt. Kosciuszko is the sixth peak in the USAF 7 Summits Challenge. Several Air Force members departed for Australia on Sept 26th, with the plan to meet with at least five more US Air Force members on Oct 4th for the climb. It is early spring in Australia, so conditions are expected to be cool, wet, and snow covered for the most part.
For the first time ever, the USAF 7 Summits team will be joined by members of the host country's armed forces. Several Australian Air Force and Army members will hike to the summit with our team- a classic show of unity and friendship between the two countries. It will make for an excellent 'combined forces' effort on what is the sixth peak in a bold and historic attempt to reach the highest peak on each continent.
If successful, the team will be just one peak away from making the US Air Force the first military in the world to have its flag flown from the summit of the famed '7 Summits'. This group of active duty Airmen is not funded by the USAF or DoD. Rather they use their own money and time to climb. By spreading goodwill and generating positive press about the Air Force, they hope to boost pride among military members and give the American public a program to rally around. They also climb in memory of fallen Air Force colleagues who have died in the line of duty since 9/11. On the summit of each peak, the climbers do pushups to honor the dead and to highlight the Air Force's focus on physical fitness.
To access the most recent progress of the team in Australia, use the Blog + Facebook link to the left, or simply search for 'USAF 7 Summits' in Facebook.
Interested in supporting a truly honorable charity? For this climb we are once again raising money and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Click below to help us reach our $5k goal... even a few dollars helps!
This program not funded or officailly sponsored by the US Air Force or Department of Defense
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