10/06/2026
🇺🇸 **Veterans Day — Back to the Manitou Incline** 🇺🇸
On Veterans Day, I’m heading back to Colorado to take on the **Manitou Incline** — 2,768 steps, nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile, **starting around 6,500 feet above sea level and finishing around 8,500 feet.**
I climbed the Incline twice in 2019, when I was probably in the best stair-climbing shape of my life. I was around 205 lbs and had climbed the **Sears Tower** in just over 23 minutes. Back then, Manitou was simply a bucket-list climb. There was no organized event, no fundraiser and no special reason behind it. I just wanted to challenge myself.
Seven years later, the challenge means a lot more.
I’m 55 now. Since 2019, I’ve been through one major and several smaller health setbacks. I’m not going into this in the same shape I was back then, and I know this climb isn't going to be easy.
But that's part of the reason I'm doing it.
This time, I’m climbing to challenge myself, to support **Unsung Heroes Colorado**, and most importantly, to honor **all Veterans** who have served our country.
Unfortunately, this year’s Veterans Day climb isn't an officially approved event.
**We're climbing anyway.**
Seven years older. A few more scars. A different reason for climbing.
**Same 2,768 steps. 🇺🇸**
