Thursday's program: Mike Caldwell on Alpine ascent
Mike Caldwell, outdoor guide, will speak at the Rotary Club of Estes Park on Thursday, May 19, at their regular noon meeting. He will speak about the first Alpine accent of the Fitz Roy Traverse in Patagonia, completed in January 2014.
The traverse was a long sought after goal by alpinists for decades, but no one was able to accomplish it due to the very short windows of good weather in Patagonia and the need for speed, excellent rock climbing skills, as well as Alpine skills. His son Tommy Caldwell and his partner Alex Honnold were the first to succeed. Their reputations as world class rock climbers, and not as alpinists, made them surprising choices for success. Their success won them top Alpine awards around the world.
Long considered impossible, coveted by many and attempted by few, the toothy Fitz Traverse has fueled the imaginations of climbers in Patagonia for decades. Tracing the iconic skyline of Cerro Fitz Roy and its six satellite peaks, it spans four miles and 13,000 vertical feet across snow and ice-covered rock.
Caldwell will discuss a film, “A Line Across the Sky,” filled with humor and glimpses into the world of these athletes, which documents this Alpine adventure. It won major film awards around the world at film festivals in 2015.
A former Mr. Colorado, Mike taught middle school in Loveland for 30 years. Currently, he likes to fly fish, rock climb, workout at the gym, and work full-time as an outdoor guide.
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century. Rotary clubs, around the world, initiate projects that address critical issues such as conflict resolution, hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park meets Thursdays at the Park Village Theater, adjacent to the Other Side Restaurant. Visitors interested in learning more about Rotary and its programs are welcome to attend. Buffet is served at 11:30 a.m., the Rotary business meeting opens at noon, and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m.
