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Everesting Monserate Mountain for the unborn

FALLBROOK – Why in the world would anyone climb over 29,000 feet by choice? Well, if you are referring to the many people who have attempted and succeeded in reaching the top of Mount Everest, the answers are as varied as the climbers.

But if you are asking James Blackwell, his reasoning to climb more than 29,032 feet of elevation was for far "smaller" reasons. Months ago, Blackwell decided to challenge himself to climb Fallbrook's own Monserate Mountain enough times, in one continuous activity, to reach the altitude of Mount Everest. This is called "Everesting" and it is a challenge by which the runner ascends and descends a mountain enough times to achieve the height of Earth's tallest mountain.

This took a great deal of mental strength and physical preparation. For a successful Everesting activity, one must dedicate many hours and days to training. So Blackwell chose a purpose bigger than himself and decided to climb in honor of the unborn.

He tackled this challenge on Friday, Jan. 21, the same day as the annual March for Life demonstration in Washington, D.C. He sought sponsors through his gofundme page (gofundme.com/f/james-climb-for-life) and by word of mouth to Bible Study groups, church ministry groups, and emails to friends and family. Every single penny raised went to the Hope Clinic for Women here in Fallbrook.

Blackwell was able to successfully "Everest" Monserate Mountain, located just above the I-15 freeway, by repeatedly climbing to the top (and back down again, which does not count toward elevation gain) 26 times, which took him over 35 hours. He ran/hiked this 75 miles without sleep. Remember, this means he ran up and down this mountain continually throughout the day and pitch black of night. By doing this, he was able to raise over $6,000 for Hope Clinic for Women. His "Everest" achievement is now recorded on the Everest website as an official completion (everesting.cc/).

Hope Clinic for Women provides safe, confidential, supportive medical care that promotes sexual health and well-being for mothers and expectant mothers. This support is offered to them at no cost and includes medical care, education and resources including education classes, mentorship, and practical support regardless of age, race, religion, or ability to pay.

Blackwell hopes that in successfully tackling this challenge, he has raised awareness, as well as funds, for the clinic. He is an elite member of "Life Runners," an international Pro-Life walking/running group. He has been involved in the sport of ultra-running for over five years and has completed other challenges including: multiple 100km running events, three one-hundred mile races, Everested Palomar Mountain, and ran the "Every Damn Street" challenge in Fallbrook.

Blackwell is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, a U.S. Army veteran, and now works as a licensed clinical social worker for Veterans Affairs. He is married with one child (and one on the way), and lives in Fallbrook.

Submitted by Hope Clinic for Women.

 

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