Student climbers seek revenge for Katrina

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By Rachel Thrace

When Hurricane Katrina displaced New Orleans natives Brendan Batt and Andrew Hillery, they decided to get even.

They’re flipping Mother Nature the bird by attempting to climb the Seven Summits, the mountains with the highest peaks on each of the continents.

Batt is a LSU pre-veterinary senior, and Hillery attends the University of Alabama.

Batt said the two of them had always talked about doing big things like climbing to the top of Everest. Katrina gave them the push they needed.

“It kind of came to us; we didn’t come to it,” said Batt.

Batt admitted he and Hillery can’t just climb Everest. Building up to it and gaining experience is necessary.

And in New Orleans, which is 13 feet below sea level, the pair couldn’t get what they needed to scale Mt. Everest’s 29,000 feet.

Part of their plan and their journey relies on them climbing the Seven Summits to progress to Everest.

The Seven Summits (arguably) consist of: Kilimanjaro in Africa, Vinson Massif in Antartica, Kosciuszko in Australia, Everest in Asia, Elbrus in Europe, Mount McKinley in North America and Aconcagua in South America.

Everest has claimed the lives of 203 people who attempted to climb it.

“When I think about Everest, I do get intimidated and scared,” said Batt.

The pair began their training by jogging, weightlifting and running stadiums – weighed down with 50 pound sandbags.

They worked to boost their lung capacity and endurance. Constant uphill motion while carrying excess weight is the key to mountain climbing, as well as the ability to push through burning muscles and climb 12 to 15 hours a day.

“A big part of mountain climbing is you have to build that endurance to go uphill,” said Batt.

They attended a glacier climbing and crevasse rescue school in Washington last August at a cost of $2,000, as part of their initial training.

The money for the trip and the school came from their pockets.

There they lived for a week on Mount Shuksan.

Batt said at the school it was a nine-hour trek to the base camp while carrying 60 pounds of gear and dragging a 100-pound sled.

“It’s not as much endurance; you have to put on a 60 pound pack and keep moving forward,” said Batt.

He explained one has to concentrate on reaching their goal, whether it’s base camp or the summit. And that takes more than just endurance.

He also said getting to base camp that first day was one of the hardest parts of their experience at the school.

One of the surprising things he and Hillery learned about mountain climbing while at the school was the absolute need to stay hydrated, if not over-hydrated.

“It’s huge,” said Batt. “Water is definitely important.”

He said at the school before they would go to sleep they would have to drink two liters of water. This helped to keep them hydrated, but it also meant three to four trips to the tent flap a night.

Urinating from inside a small tent inside to keep one’s feet off the ice, while two other people try to sleep isn’t an easy feat.

“It’s quite a maneuver,” said Batt.

Their instructor from the school, Chad, fortunately took a liking to them.

“He really liked our enthusiasm and hanging out with us,” said Batt.

The first mountain they plan to attempt to climb is Mount McKinley. It has the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet. It is also known as Denali in Alaska.

Chad is an expert on the mountain and intends to guide the pair up the mountain at a discount. He’s reached its summit 15 times. And usually does it twice a summer.

“When it comes to that mountain in particular, he’s probably the best guy,” said Batt.

Batt said the mountain usually kills about a half dozen to a dozen climbers a year.

“That’s part of what draws you to it in a way, the danger,” said Batt.

Even with Chad’s discount, the cost of the trip, equipment and guide will run them about $4,000.

The two are looking for financial help to live their dream and take revenge on Mother Nature. Batt and Hillery will need to have the funds by mid-spring.

As impossible at their dream seems right now, Batt said people doubting him helps drive him.

“We know this is going to happen. There’s no doubt we’re going to do this,” said Batt.

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Originally Published: Issue 578 - September 5, 2007

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