REFUSING TO FALL: LSU climber sets sights on Seven Summits

A simple, unadorned poster hugs the back of Brendan Batt’s bedroom door. On it is the number 29,035 – the elevation in feet of Mt. Everest.

&#8220I look at it every day,” Batt said.

And for good reason.

Batt, a senior at LSU, and best friend Andrew Hillery, a senior at the University of Alabama, are in the nascent stages of embarking on a seven-year climbing expedition that will take them to the top of the Seven Summits, the highest peaks in each of the world’s seven continents.

These mountains consist of McKinley (North America), Aconcagua (South America), Elbrus (Europe), Kosciusko (Australia), Kilimanjaro (Africa) and Vinson Massif (Antarctica).

All six will be a precursor to Everest, the monolithic snow-capped monster that has claimed the lives of 203 climbers.

&#8220It’s all a progression to the biggest,” Batt said.

Although both admit to being thrill-seekers, the impetus behind their decision had less to do with adrenaline and more to do with awareness.

Batt and Hillery are New Orleans natives who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Both of their family’s homes were damaged, Hillery’s so much that his parents were forced to move to Houston.

&#8220We just had our two-year anniversary since Katrina, and it seems like the no one in the national media is really listening to us anymore,” he explained. &#8220By dedicating our time and risking our lives to climb these seven mountains, we’ll feel satisfaction by sticking a flag of New Orleans at each summit. It will symbolize that the city is moving upwards.”

LOOKING AHEAD…AND UP

The idea for the expedition was conjured between bites of sushi at Kamados, a Japanese eatery in Baton Rouge.

&#8220We had always talked about doing something special with our lives, because we didn’t want to end up being a desk jockey or punching a clock every day,” Batt explained. &#8220We started talking about Mt. Everest, which is the ultimate goal for doing something radical. Andrew brought up the idea that it would be a good way to get back at Mother Nature because of Katrina. From that the Seven Summits just came up.”

Batt, a former high school football player, participates in college rugby and Hillery competes in triathlons. Despite their athletic backgrounds, both knew they’d need extensive training to prepare for McKinley, the first mountain they plan to tackle next summer.

The pair began by lifting weights and doing one-legged squats to simulate the pressure their legs will endure with each climb.

They also ran stadium steps wearing backpacks weighted down with 50-pound sandbags.

Their methods, however, proved to be a walk in the park compared to the rigors they later experienced at the glacier climbing and crevasse rescue school in Washington last month.

For one week, they lived, learned and strained on Mount Shuksan.

&#8220I couldn’t have ever anticipated how strenuous it would be,” Batt said. &#8220They didn’t want to just take you to slope; they wanted to show you what it would really be like out there.”

Even though it was the most laborious &#8220vacation” Batt and Hillery ever experienced, it certainly didn’t turn them away.

&#8220We didn’t even know if we would like mountain climbing before we went to Washington,” Batt professed. &#8220But once we got a taste of it, we fell in love with it.”

During their stay on Shuksan, the pair formed a friendship with Chad Peele, their instructor.

Peele will likely accompany Batt and Hillery on their McKinley expedition.

&#8220Chad’s an expert who does McKinley twice a year,” Batt said. &#8220He took a liking to us, and if he comes along it will be a godsend.”

The experience in Washington gave the duo a crash course in the perilous challenges that lie ahead.

Some lessons, according to Batt, were easier than others.

&#8220The number one rule is don’t fall.”

SEEKING SUPPORT

Batt and Hillery are well aware that trips to foreign countries come with a heavy price tag.

In an effort to raise a little green, Hillery recently launched a non-profit organization called &#8220Klimbing for Katrina.”

&#8220We’re accepting any donations to help us out with our climbing,” Hillery said.

A portion of each contribution will be earmarked for a charity of the donor’s choice.

&#8220I already have a couple good ones picked out myself,” Hillery added. &#8220Each donation will be tax deductible.”

Both also welcome corporate sponsorship. Any fiscal assistance will assist their collaborative effort to bolster support for the Big Easy.

&#8220I’d love to get help from a major company,” Hillery explained facetiously. &#8220If a hot sauce company wants to help us out, I’d wear their shirt or put their flag at the top of each summit.”

Batt just wishes his parents would be more supportive.

Both are naturally cognizant of the inherent dangers their son will inevitably confront.

&#8220My mom and dad are shocked by the whole thing and when I told then about going to glacier climbing school, they didn’t want me to go at all,” Batt said. &#8220I had to raise all of the money myself.”

A DATE WITH DESTINY

Even though the next seven years of his life will be an arduous climb, both figuratively and literally, Hillery embraces the challenges that lie ahead with unflappable poise.

&#8220There will be times when we won’t be able to feel our hands or feet,” he said. &#8220You could possibly face frostbite, the loss of a limb or even death. The list goes on. It will be worth it in the end.”

Still, the &#8220end” – 29,035 feet to be exact- seems pretty far away.

Batt and Hillery will face a great deal of physical and mental adversity before they even get a chance to compete against Everest.

Nonetheless, both plan to push forward (and eventually up) with unwavering resolve.

They realize they won’t be climbing alone.

&#8220We’re representing all Katrina victims in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region,” Hillery said. &#8220I feel deep down inside that we need to do this.”

And their number one rule will be not to fail.

*Donations to &#8220Klimbing for Katrina” can be sent to 5243 Arlington Ct., Baton Rouge, LA 70820. For more information call Batt at (504) 450-7098 or Hillery at (504) 606-9211 or send e-mail to klimboverlatina@gmail.com

LSU senior Brendan Batt on the edge of a snowy cliff at glacier climbing and crevasse rescue school in Washington. (Photo courtesy of Brendan Batt)