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August 15 - 28, 2003 Previous expedition dispatches: Tibet 2004
Ice Climbing at Vail
Long's Peak
"Farther Than the Eye Can See" North American Tour
Matterhorn Expedition Live
Mount Princeton Expedition Live
Kosciuszko Australia Expedition Live
Paraglide Lessons Expedition Live
Mount Elbrus Russia Expedition Live
Matterhorn Expedition
Climbing in Switzerland with Craig and Kelly Perkins
Sponsored by:
Gift of the Heart Foundation
Fujisawa Health Care
Closing Dispatch August 28
This image shows part of the Hornli Ridge, which this team climbed, and the area to the south around Cervino, Italy.
This has been a fantastic expedition where we succeeded in all of our goals. Kelly reaching the summit of the Matterhorn was certainly the highlight of the trip. There were also hundreds of other great moments.
A special thank you to Tom and Tina Sjogren, Andreas Anderson and Dave D'Angelo of Explorers Web for helping us with this web page. It has been fun and rewarding with lots of positive response from around the world.
The Climb of Our Lives
Craig and Kelly Perkins celebrate on the summit of the Matterhorn.
Proud husband, Matterhorn Summit
This is big stuff for Craig as well. He and Kelly have dreamed of this together for a long time. Craig has worked hard for years to make this adventure possible. Congratulations to you both!
Overcome by emotion
This was not an easy climb. Kelly is certainly a hero to many of us as she put so much of herself into this climb. Just a few short minutes ago the outcome was far from certain. Making it to the summit is only half of the climb but it is all of the emotional triumph.
Reaching the top, August 25 10:30 am.
Kelly stepping onto the summit of the Matterhorn 4477m (14,688-ft). Way to go Kelly!
More bonus images, August 25
Kelly Perkins very near the top of the Matterhorn.
Above 4,000m August 25
Kelly climbs up toward Jean. At this altitude there is new snow, even in August. This is a serious climb.
Images from the Matterhorn August 25
Kelly, Cedric Zulauff (Craig's guide) and Jean Pavillard on the Hornli Ridge.
Images from climb August 25
Just before sunrise climbing on the steep side of the Matterhorn. Kelly is looking strong and moving well.
Here she just passed a message on video to Michael's cousin, Gary Swain, "You can have Everest Gary, this is enough for me." Gary also needs a heart as his is failing similarly to the way Kelly's original heart did. Gary dreams of climbing mountains after receiveing a transplant, especially Everest. We will be there throughout and will be pulling for Gary all the way, even to the top of Mount Everest.
August 25, 5:10 am
Now that we are safely down from the Matterhorn we are going to take advantage of a warm comfortable place to do some extra dispatches. These are not instant but they show the climb in more detail.
This image is Kelly in the early morning , before sunrise, getting ready to climb the fixed lines.
On the way down.
Video hello from elated Kelly Perkins.
Video clip
August 26 Down Safely
Ten years ago, before Kelly's heart problems, Craig and Kelly were in Zermatt celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary. They hiked in the area and often looked up at the spectular peak of the Matterhorn. At the time they saw the peak as unreachable, a place for serious mountaineers. Now after receiving a new heart Kelly allowed herself to dream and accomplish the summit.
Their hope from these climbs is to increase awareness and participation in organ donation.
It is not enough to sign the back of your driver's license. You also need to make your wishes known to your close family members. Ultimately they will be asked and even if you wanted to donate your organs your family may say no, especially while grieving.
It is a small thing to do but it can make a big difference for someone else. It will likely make many years of life possible for the recipient or recipients.
Matterhorn Summit!
10:30 am Summit of the Matterhorn. Our team Tim Brown, Michael Brown, Craig & Kelly Perkins, and Jean Pavillard.
Photo by Cedric Zulauff all other photos this page by Michael Brown
Matterhorn Summit!
10:30 am Summit of the Matterhorn. Our team Tim Brown, Michael Brown, Craig & Kelly Perkins, and Jean Pavillard.
Photo by Cedric Zulauff all other photos this page by Michael Brown
August 24 Hornli Hut
Kelly and Craig Perkins. Craig is Kelly's greatest supporter. Always keeping a close eye on her and a willingness to help out. Craig was Kelly's strength through the entire conjestive heart falure and subsequent transplant.
Here at the Hornli Hut getting ready for tomorrow morning's climb. Rain here and snow higher on the Matterhorn are cause for concern. The rain on the rocks will freeze and form verglass, a very treacherous surface to climb.
August 24 Matterhorn
Video clip as we start the hike to the Hornli Hut.
This is also a good chance to say thank you to some important friends. Our sponors Fujisawa Health Care and Gift of the Heart Foundation. Equipment assistance by HydraCoach, Oakley, HydraPak, Mountain Hardwear, Bausch & Lomb. And, of course our awsome travel agent, Sally Berg.
Video clip
August 22
Descending the north side of Weissmeiss. It is a tricky and dangerous way down through what Michael describes as an 'Everest' like icefall.
After this climb we will take a day off in Zermatt before heading up the Matterhorn. It will be a two day climb
with a summit attempt on Monday.
August 22
Climbing above the clouds on Weissmeiss and putting the crampons to use.
August 22 Alpine Start
This morning we are up at 4:00 am and reach a ridge line for a spectacular sunrise. We are on our way up a peak called the Weissmeiss.
August 21, 2:00 pm
Jean, Kelly and Craig making their way back to the hut after ice practice. Tomorrow we will depart at 4:00 am and attempt to climb the Weissmiess, a 4,023m peak.
Kelly Perkins
One may wonder why we are making a big deal out of going climbing and having fun in the Alps. Just this; Kelly is the recipient of a heart transplant. In the process of removing her original heart the doctors could not reattach nerves. Her brain cannot tell her heart when to beat faster, she has to wait for her adrenaline to kick in. This is an important factor in mountain climbing.
Kelly goes after the mountains the same way she does life, with courage and determination. Climbing the Matterhorn is difficult. It is intimidating for experienced mountaineers. To attempt the climb with a transplanted heart is extraordinary.
August 21, On Ice
Today we head up onto the glacier and the Perkins first crampon practice. Here Kelly, Craig and Jean approach the bergschrund or top most crevasse on the glacier.
Just above here at the highest point we step across the border into Italy and have our lunch.
August 20, Hanging in There
Kelly Perkins rappelling from a rock tower. Today's adventure was a rock climb on a ridge called Dri Horlini. A rock ridge with scary drops on each side. A good chace to practice skills needed on the Matterhorn.
We are settling into a nice routine of climbing in the day and enjoying good compay in the hut in the evening.
August 19 Almagerller Hut
Tonight we will stay in this "hut," actually a palace at 2,820m located above Saas Almagell (near Saas Fee Switzerland.)
Tomorrow we will climb the rock ridge behind. Our team is Jean Pavillard (guide), Craig and Kelly Perkins, Michael Brown (filmmaker) and Tim Brown (guide, no relation to Michael)
We will hope for a great time and some spectacular views.
August 19, 4:00 pm
Hiking in a valley to the East of Zermatt. Swiss guide Jean Pavillard with Kelly and Craig. This hike is an opportunity for Jean to see how Kelly is doing in preparation for the Matterhorn. Looking good so far!
Aug 19, Zermatt
We are all safely in Zermatt and in good spirits. The mountains are covered in clouds
and it even looks like fresh snow above 3,600m. We will do some acclimatization here
before heading up for some training climbs in the surrounding mountains.
Aug 18 1.00 PM, Gornergrat
At about 10,000-ft in a place called Gornergrat above Zermatt. Kelly and Craig take a hike to stretch their legs and get acclimatized.
August 16 4:30pm Europe Time (8:30am Colorado Time)
Welcome to Expedition Live from Switzerland! Craig and Kelly are somewhere ahead, hopfully on a train to Zermatt, Switzerland. I am waiting for a flight out of Amsterdam. The power was out in Detroit so we had to land in Washington DC to get food. Ironically it took longer to land and get the catering on board than it would have taken to just fly here. We arrived well after the Zurich flight departed.
Once I am reunited with my bags and Kelly and Craig I'll send a picture dispatch. Hopefully from a good vantage in the Alps.
Thanks for checking in, Michael Brown