Successful climber still looking to reach his financial peak
You think after scaling the worlds highest mountain on one of the deadliest weeks when five climbers were killed, including a Canadian woman, Steve Curtis would be taking some well-deserved time off. Far from the truth, speaking at a recent Take a Hike fundraiser, the animated 31-year-old Vancouver entrepreneur who successfully reached Mount Everests summit in May in support of at-risk youth is working to reach a much bigger goal.
What inspired you to climb Mount Everest?
Six years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The prognosis was bleak. I was given only months to live without treatment. I looked back to some goals I had when I was a child. Climbing Everest was one of those goals.
How did you prepare?
I was a little less experienced than some climbers. I had all of four months. I hired a team of coaches. We climbed Whistler, Cypress, and several days a week I would climb the stairwell of my 40-storey building 20 times carrying a 25-pound pack on my back.
Were you at all concerned about the recent deaths of others climbers?
Before committing to the climb, I read many books on Everest. I learned of the many people that lost their climbing partners, their hands, feet, and other body parts. I was mainly concerned with walking through the death zone of bodies. But I had confidence and faith, both of which are important in an endeavor like this.
You dedicated your climb to charity?
Throughout the process of getting better and overcoming this life-changing diagnosis, I became more of a spiritual person. With this new found spirituality, I found life to be more enriching and I found myself living a good portion of it in service to others. And so, when it was finally time to climb Everest, I had little desire to climb the mountain simply for the sake of climbing it. I discovered Take a Hike Foundation and a new motivation.
Tell us about Take A Hike.
The Take a Hike (TAH) Youth at Risk Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that partners with the Vancouver School Board to operate an alternative education program that engages at-risk youth through a unique combination of adventure-based learning, academics and community involvement. Since not every student fits into the mainstream school system, students are referred to the program because they are often struggling with issues that are inhibiting their success such as drug and alcohol addition, physical and mental abuse, criminal activity, low self-esteem, depression, and trauma. The goal is that barriers to learning are minimized, personal issues are addressed, and students achieve a greater level of social and academic success. I was a high school drop out.
Whats the goal?
Over the past 12 years, TAH has helped close to 300 at-risk youth positively change their lives. While based in Vancouver, they have received overwhelming interest from other communities and are now actively working towards program expansion to reach more at-risk youth in B.C. and across Canada. Our goal is to raise $150,000 to expand the program to one more community. To date, weve raised just over $80,000. To make a donation or learn more www.takeahikefoundation.org
Best part of your climb?
There are several. One of my favourite quotes is a Japanese saying, The sharpest swords go through the hottest fires. This climb was hard. It was very challenging. It was a pain. There was challenge and there was fear. Pushing through all of those things and finding strength and awareness allowed me to find a more courageous me on the other side. So, the worst part was my favourite part!
I also enjoyed building a relationship with my climbing partner, Sam. Hes a highly driven, fiercely wild and charismatic individual. It was really great to experience the synergy between us. What brought me the most joy was the honour of sharing this incredible process with other people.
Worst part?
Being on constant repeat with the worst hangover of my life. Being up there was worse than any hangover I'd ever had and it lasted the entire time.
Something that surprised you on your climb?
To lose one of the four people we climbed with. I knew there were risks and I felt like I was managing my risks to the best of my ability. He, however, was having some challenges on the way. But he kept going. He was a doctor. I assumed hed make the right judgments about his own health. We wondered where he had gotten to one day and we were told he was in his tent. He wasnt. He had just sat down, fallen asleep and died. It hit me pretty hard. I had just met him a couple months before. We had spent every day together with our lives virtually in each others hand. Im getting emotional just writing about it. It really brought home the importance of living every moment and treating every day as if it were your last.
Advice to others who may be thinking about making the climb?
Absolutely cannot emphasize this enough. Being prepared both mentally and physically. Being ready for four days with no sleep and no calories. Pushing on empty the whole time. Mentally feeling that and understanding the risks.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
I think climbing Everest was incredibly hard but the hardest part I think, my biggest accomplishment in life has been learning to love myself. Through learning to love myself I've learned to love others. And through love, anything is possible.
Three words to live by
Live, love, dream.
What are you most thankful for?
I'm most thankful to the people in my life that have made it a point to inspire, encourage and challenge me to become a better person and to serve the world in a more profound way and for people to have patience with me when I'm not at my best. Im grateful that spirit speaks to me and sometimes I have the courage to follow.
A talent you possess that many are not aware of?
I can walk in high heels balancing a book on my head. I only did it once but Im pretty good at it.
Biggest indulgence?
Chocolate and Doritos! If I'm having a bad day, Ill eat an entire bag of Doritos. Moderation is not my gift.
Last book read?
I read 25 books on Everest.
Best thing about this city?
I think people are more spiritual in this city than in other cities. Were surrounded by nature to help us do that. I'm also pretty pleased that occasionally we have a sunny day.
