Acknowledgments

When one takes on such a large project as challenging the speed record for climbing the 55 Colorado peaks over fourteen thousand feet, one has many needs.  It is at this time in ones life when a person finds out just how many friends one has around them.  I have been blessed with just such a situation.  I have so many great friends.  I could never have attempted the Mighty Mountain Megamarathon, if it were not for these friends.  They have helped me out in so many ways, I have to wonder if I could ever be such a good friend in kind.  Let me just say that I am very grateful.

Without a doubt, in no uncertain terms, I have a great debt to my dear and close friend, one Scurv E. Dawg.  Not only did he take an entire summer off from work to help me during my training, he even bought a car so that I would be able to reach the trailheads.  He does not even drive.  That is just the kind of true friend Scurv E. Dawg is to all that have had the pleasure to know him.  He is one of the kindest and most selfless persons I know.  In addition, it must be known that his cooking is so good that it is a true privilege to partake.  I am glad that I crawled out of my cave long enough to begin this enduring friendship.

Marco(Perro Negro) and Troyanne Diaz have offered Scurv E. Dawg and me immeasurable service and friendship.  They provided a physical address for my dozens of gear and equipment orders and helped me with some of my financial finagling.  They let me use their computer and fax and gave me contacts for the perennial Culebra Question.  In addition, they let us use their place freely as a base camp in the Elks Range and stored our unneeded belongings in their attic.  Perro Negro's Jeep mechanical skills have bailed us out countless times.  I really believe we would still be broken down up some obscure four wheel drive road even today, if it were not for Perro Negro.  His immediate resolve and matter of fact crisis management was a tremendous relief to me.  He always had a solution and was on to it by morning.  Thank you for so much and more.

I have a wonderful brother in Rad Dog.  He has always been there for me without question.  To take two weeks vacation off in his field represents a real commitment.  It was a relief to be able to call him up when I thought I might have broken a toe when a boulder fell on my foot on Eolus's Southeast Face during training.  Thank goodness it was not or else it would have been all over right there.  After the fire hydrant fiasco, Rad Dog took on the responsibility of driving the Kennel when others were reluctant.  He also helped sort out the crazy finances.  One thing about Rad Dog is that he always goes that extra mile to make sure we keep on track.  It is nice to have that in a support crew.

I have known Sea Dog since we were two years old.  He took an early leave from his job to arrive ahead of time and help me make the last arrangements before the buzzer.  He also stayed a bit longer to help mop up.  Everyone remarked upon how his good natured personality lightened the mood in the often tense environment.  His driving skills were much needed and appreciated on the tricky four wheel drive roads.  However, most of all, his close and long time friendship was a comfort to me during the stress and exhaustion of this challenge.

Burns Dog, my buddy, is a proven support crew member for me.  He took on my campaign in college without needing to be asked.  It gave me confidence to have that kind of positive and applicable experience behind me.  He is the only one to take and pass the Amateur Radio exam without prodding.  I thought he would have had the least amount of time to prepare for the test.  During the challenge, he voluntarily and without complaints took on most of the worst jobs.  His sacrifice and selflessness was a tremendous relief to the entire Dog Team.  He is probably the most conscientious person I have ever met.  He also gave the Dog Team a place to crash hard after finishing Longs.  Burns Dog has been a great friend over the years.  It is always nice to be around Burns Dog.

I am pleased that Lady Dog came out from Oregon to help me out.  Her knowledge of computers was more than handy; it turned out to be a necessity.  With her I had enough people to handle a third vehicle both as a runner for supplies or emergencies but also in the dreaded case of car troubles.  The last thing one wants to have happen, after years of work, is to fail because of car troubles.  Lady Dog married a close friend of mine a few years back.  But it did not take long before I could call her my friend.  Thanks for coming out to help.  It sure was a crazy ride.

Alan Laird(Tech Dog) has found a way in his crazy schedule to make this website a reality.  He also found a way to link up my laptop to the Internet from afield.  I believe that is the only way to give real time updates to the public.  Long after the challenge is over, he will probably still be getting calls from me in the middle of the night about some syntax mistake on my part.  One thing about Tech Dog is that even if he is hard to track down, once you do, he is all yours and more than glad to share his skills and knowledge.  If you are reading this, you have Tech Dog to thank.

During the summer of 1998, Gerry Roach(Book Dog) invited me over to his home.  We spent the next three and half hours pouring over maps and discussing record attempts.  Enlightening the air with Fourteener stories, Book Dog both educated and inspired my soul.  Although over the years I have modified the traditional routes considerably, those first discussions offered a base for which my climbing stood upon.  When one takes on interesting projects, one tends to meet interesting people.  In our relationship, I hope that finishing my M ⁴ is not an end, but rather, an end of a beginning.

I want to thank Rick Trujillo for generously allowing me to use his documentation for this website.

A hardy applause should go out to Congressman Scott McInnis and his aide Bill Endress.  If it were not for your support, I would never have gained access to Culebra, the perennial Culebra Question.  I would not have been able to start an attempt at this record, if it were not for your help.  You have done your constituents well.  Thanks.

I also want to thank Andrea Nuneviller(Silly Dog) and Jess Lord(Chilly Dog) for helping me with the Culebra Question.  They took on a crisis with real gusto and worked into the night until finished.  It is a pleasure to have such talented friends.

I want to thank Culebra Ranch for, upon much reflection, finding reason amidst the controversy.  I wish you good luck in finding peace amongst your surroundings.

Richard Bacon, John Quinn, and Mike L'Estrange provided Scurv E. Dawg and me a base camp in the Tenmile/Mosquito and Front Ranges.  It was really nice to be able to have a place to crash without notice.  Thanks for letting us tank up on pasta at Michael's Italian Restaurant in Breckenridge.  There is no more delicious way to carbo load than to eat at Michael's.  Richard was also extremely generous in letting us use his home and phone line during the race.

Thanks also goes out to the Nichols Family.  They went over the top in granting a helping hand in the Silver Pick Basin.  I have met a lot of nice people in my travels, but they are probably the most hospitable family I have ever met.  Gracious and inspiring, I look at our time together as one of the highlights of the whole journey.

Out of the blue, Danelle Ballengee(Eco Dog) offered to keep me company on my last night of hiking.  On Grays and Torreys, we talked up a storm and the next thing I knew we were done.  To my shock, after forty-nine peaks, I had two of my most effortless hikes, even though it was at night.  With a little unfortunate willow whacking, Bierstadt continued smoothly.  However, the night's sleepy calling hit me hard on the Sawtooth.  By the time we hit Evan's West Ridge, I was in a downright stupor and fell asleep on the trail for the third and final time during the challenge.  Boy, I was glad to have Eco Dog there to make sure I did not stumble off the ridge.  Thanks.  Your Fourteener story is wonderful.  I appreciate your allowing me to use it in this website.

I also want to thank Jerry Wagener(Dingo Dog) for allowing me to use his story about his son, Jeff Wagener's, 1993 record breaking attempt.  Andew Hamilton also gave me permission to use his 1998 story for this website.

After the record, the Redstone Community Association invited me to give a slide show for the valley.  The Carbondale Fire Department donated the use of their computer projector so that the audience could see my pictures.  Thank you.

A special thanks goes out to my two nieces Laura, age 5, and Karen, age 3.  They made motivational artwork and their mom, Lisa, baked up some scrumptious chocolate chip cookies that were a tremendous inspiration for me at a time when inspiration was needed.
Thanks also goes out to Nolan's RV in Denver and San Juan Adventures in Ouray for giving us a break on our RV base camp and four wheel drive support vehicle, respectively.  We would get nowhere if it were not for reliable vehicles.