Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge is a busy place as the Aconcagua Challenge Team prepares for the climb.

Equipment has arrived, people are training, schedules being prepared and paper is flying around faster than an F-18!

In some previous blog entries we’ve shared a glimpse into the mindset of our wounded and injured warriors. Why do they set out to tackle one of the toughest Summits in the world?

In the words of our Challenge Warriors, at a minimum, everyone has a better understanding with regards to that question.

Safety and preparation on a Summit climb is at a premium, which begs another question. Who is helping our wounded and injured vets make this climb?

Experienced guides matter on a journey such as this. The team at Alaska Mountaineering School has partnered with CWVC on 9 of our mountaineering and wilderness Challenges.
Led by founder Colby Coombs, this professional team of guides will ensure the group is equipped mentally and physically to ascend the Summit.

Colby began instructing at age 19 and climbed Denali the first time in 1985. He and his wife, Caitlyn Palmer started AMS in 1996. Coombs is a past board member of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). Caitlyn is an experienced guide with 17 high altitude expeditions under her belt. She’ll provide HIgh Camp and Base Camp support to the team.

“We can’t wait to again work with CWVC,” said Coombs, “Aconcagua is beautiful and dangerous, and will challenge CWVC vets physically and mentally.”

The rest of the AMS team includes Joey McBrayer, Karina Amortegui, Lisle Coombs and Bace Poplawski. Together this group will persevere to the top and return home safely to talk about the experience.