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Interview with Everest Global Extreme climber Troy Henkels
Nov 8, 2004 00: 11 EST
Sometime mid last month, ExWeb received an e-mail from the community: A young climber announced that Troy Henkels, a native Dubuque resident (from Iowa) would be speaking at his school, the University of Dubuque. Did we want a story?
Of course we did. Troy (37) is well known around here: Last year he climbed on Mount Everest as a finalist in the Toyota Global Extremes challenge TV program.
He turned back at 25,000 feet, short of the 29,035-foot summit. Now he and the legendary Dixie Dansercoer (42), who successfully traversed the Antarctic in 1998 with Alain Hubert, will attempt a double-back traverse of the Bering Strait.
Their goal is to reach Siberia from Alaska on foot/ski sail and then return to Alaskan shores in the same manner. Depending on ice conditions, Dixie and Troy will attempt to cross in March of 2005.
No wonder Logan was excited to meet the guy in their mutual hometown! Here's Logan's story:
Alaskan Lives Life to the Extreme
By: Logan Gloss for ExplorersWeb
Whether it is ice climbing, paragliding, running a winter endurance race across the interior of Alaska, taking part on eight climbing expeditions in the Alaska Range including a solo ascent of Mt. Dickey (9545’) and a successful expedition on Denali (20,320’), or attempting to climb Mt. Everest (29,035’); the first question that comes to everyone’s mind is “Are you Crazy?” “No. What I do is normal. Just like what everyone else does in their life, I do with mine. There is nothing outstanding about my life,” says 37 year old Alaskan Troy Henkels.
"I didn’t want to become 80 years old to do what I wanted"
On October 21st, Troy returned to his hometown of Dubuque, Iowa to talk about his life after graduating from college. Since graduating, he has decided to pack up his life and begin living life to the extreme while traveling across the world. So why did he decide to do this? “I did this because I didn’t want to become 80 years old to finally do what I wanted to do. I have been very fortunate with what I have been able to do,” says Henkels.
Two months at Amundsen/Scott South Pole Station
Troy has spent a total of 16 months in the Antarctic working as a communications technician. He played a key role on the Search and Rescue team at the American Base in McMurdo. Two of those months were spent at Amundsen/Scott South Pole Station. While there, he also kite skied the South Pole, Siple Dome, and the Ross Ice Shelf.
Everest 2003: Didn’t want to risk it
Most recently Troy was a finalist in the adventure TV show called Global Extremes which took five finalists to attempt to climb the North side of Mt. Everest. After returning to BC from Camp II (24,000’), Henkels decided that he would forgo his summit attempt. “I have spent enough time in the mountains to know what my limits are and I just didn’t want to risk it,” Henkels stated. On the way back to Kathmandu, Henkels opted to drive himself. “It was very rewarding to me, because this is what I really wanted to do; to go out to see the world.”
Polar bears
So what is next for this adventurer? What about crossing the Bering Strait on foot! Troy and 47 year old Dixie Dansercoer of Belgium plan to cross the 56 mile stretch of Bering Strait on foot leaving from Wales, Alaska in March of 2005 and making a return trip. “There are several challenges laid out for us; the extreme cold, the wet conditions, the wind, currents, and polar bears.”
A sled that floats and dry suites
Troy and Dixie plan to use kites as they begin to head toward Russia, but if worse comes to worse they have developed a sled that floats and also dry suites they can use to cross a span of unfrozen water.
As the date nears for their trip, they are seeking trusted supporters to help finalize all financial commitments necessary for a successful and positive expedition.
Bering Strait shareholders
In order to help share the exciting experience with as many adventure lovers as possible, they have devised a program entitled Share the Strait. Instead of a typical sponsoring agreement, they hope to encourage an interactive participation among a myriad of Bering Strait shareholders.
"Don't think I'd change a thing"
As the evening concluded, I asked Troy one final question. If he could change any opportunity in his life, what would it be? “Not sure I'd change a thing. It's been a great ride. Oh sure there are always little things that don't go your way, but overall I don't think I'd change a thing. I've been very fortunate.”
Images 1: Dixie (Left) and Troy (Right) in Wales, AK. 2: Cold Camp on the Bering Strait, 3: Troy Henkels (right) talks with students, 4: Summit Ridge on Denali. Courtesy Troy and Logan.
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