6/05/06

Team No Limits Member, Matt Tredway, Reflects on his Everest Experience

I am sitting here on a beautiful day at home in Steamboat reflecting my Everest experience. I had such a positive experience. . .it was just prematurely interrupted. For two years I diligently trained by climbing rock and ice, running, skiing, lifting and pilates. Training included trips to Canada and Alaska. The truth is I enjoyed that time as much - or more than my time on the mountain. I am grateful to friends and family that put up with a schedule that was so invasive to our lives. My life is so great and I really feel blessed to have had the opportunity to climb in Nepal.

Ii am grateful that every day on the mountain, spare one, I was strong and positive. I feel so thankful for the sponsorship that I received from Ford Direct. The opportunity they blessed me with I will treasure for a lifetime. I feel very fortunate to have met the people that I did on the mountain . . . they were an interesting and diverse group. I made friends on this trip that I will be in touch with for the rest of my life. I will be a better teacher, husband , and father for having had this experience.

Matt Tredway received sponsorship from Ford Direct and was endorsed by the American Education Association. Matt was one of the stronger climbers on the mountain and we share his frustration that his climb fell subject to a medical intervention that gave him no option other than to abandon his summit attempt. While the summit was right in Matt's reach, he made a wise and prudent decision to heed warning (even if misdirected). Team No Limits held the position that safety always has precedence over summit success. For there is no success greater than making it safely home to your family.