EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- At 20,308 feet above sea level, Denali is considered one of the most challenging peaks to conquer in the world. Thousands of people have tried, and failed, to reach the top. On June 16, 1st Lt. Andrew Heard, the 354th Contracting Squadron services and commodities flight commander, climbed the tallest peak in North America.
For Heard, being able to stand on top of one of the most prominent peaks in the world began as a dream two years earlier.
“With Denali being the tallest mountain in North America it always had a certain mystique to me,” said Heard. “I ended up meeting with Maj. Austin Pruneda in August of 2014 and we both had this shared dream of standing on the top of North America. The plan just snowballed from there.”
During the months leading up to the climb Heard and Pruneda, the 354th Force Support Squadron operations officer, put their bodies through rigorous training like they had never experienced before for the sole purpose of making the climb.
“We were working out twice a day for several months preparing for this climb,” said Heard. “We did a lot of the stair machine and incline treadmill. The goal was to keep our heart rates up so we could better acclimate ourselves to the altitudes we would be dealing with during the climb.”
Heard has climbed for almost two decades. He climbed his first mountain when he was 8 years old. He said previous experience helped prepare him mentally for the climb, but physically Denali was still a challenge.
“I knew I would be carrying a 60-pound pack and dragging a 50 pound-sled, but I had no idea how much I would exert myself doing it at that altitude,” said Heard.
Altitude sickness is commonly experienced by people who climb at high altitudes. It happens when the elevation changes too much too quickly. Heard said he experienced this during his climb, but was able to push through and achieve his goal.
“Summit day sucked,” said Heard. “I had a headache the entire day. My brain was moving so slow all I wanted to do when we took a break was just sit down and die.”
Although Heard was exhausted, he persevered and was eventually able to experience something few people ever will.
“Getting all the way up there I was able to see the world from a unique perspective that most people only wish to see,” said Heard. “I think the top of Denali was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Seeing pictures of something like that is nice, but it’s nothing like the real thing.”
Heard achieved his goal of summiting the tallest peak in North America, with a mix of proper preparation, perseverance and determination.
“In the Air Force we are supposed to ‘Aim High,’ said Heard. “After achieving something like climbing Denali and seeing the world from a different vantage point, you really see where that comes into play.”