About Us

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

Finding the Climbing Partners:

In 2000, a group of young professionals came together through The Guardsmen, a San Francisco-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth through scholarships and outdoor programs. Among them were Brett Bush, Tom Power, Alden Mills, Chip Pyfer, and Dean Poulakidas. Through their involvement in The Guardsmen, they formed a strong friendship that extended beyond their philanthropic efforts. Over time, their bond led them to seek out new challenges together, eventually sparking an interest in mountaineering.

Looking back, their climbing journey was never just about the mountains—it was about the people who shared the experience. The friendships forged through these expeditions became lifelong connections. Spending weeks together, enduring exhaustion, biting cold, and the uncertainty of the summit, they saw each other’s strengths, fears, and resilience in a way few ever do. The mountains gave them much more than just high-altitude experiences; they provided lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and a deeper understanding of themselves.

The First Climb: Mt. Whitney (2009)

Their mountaineering journey officially began in 2009 when Chip invited Brett, Tom, and Alden to climb Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineer’s Route. With little prior climbing experience, they embraced the challenge. The steep and technical route required long stretches of scrambling and a final push up a demanding chute to the summit. Though difficult, the sense of accomplishment at the top was undeniable. More importantly, it ignited a love for climbing that would shape their future adventures. From that moment on, the group committed to tackling at least one major peak per year.

Building Experience: One Peak a Year

Over the following years, the team steadily built their climbing experience, taking on increasingly challenging peaks. They summited Mt. Shasta, Mt. Hood, Mt. Baker, The Grand Tetons, and Mt. Rainier (twice!)—each mountain testing their abilities with steeper terrain, more technical routes, and exposure to unpredictable weather. Tom climbed each of these peaks alongside Brett, Alden, and Chip, further strengthening the group’s bond as climbing partners. At various climbs they were joined by other friends and Guardsmen, including Craig Straub and Jeff Landry.

Expanding the Team: Mt. Elbrus (2016)

In 2016, as Alden prepared to move to Barcelona, he and Brett decided to take on Mt. Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. This climb expanded their usual group, bringing in Alden’s friends from Barcelona—David Rich, Jeff Gordman, and John Keagy—who joined them on the expedition. The new dynamic added fresh energy to the climb.

Elbrus presented a formidable challenge with its extreme cold and unpredictable weather, making the final summit push especially grueling. However, standing on the summit together, the team realized that this was more than just another mountain—it was the beginning of a greater challenge. The idea of completing the Seven Summits was born.

Training for Denali: Rainier Crevasse Rescue & Summit (2017)

After Elbrus, the team set their sights on the ultimate North American challenge: Denali. To prepare, they returned to Mt. Rainier in 2017, not only to summit again but to train extensively in crevasse rescue and ice climbing. They knew that Denali required a new level of endurance, technical skill, and the ability to navigate extreme conditions.

The training proved invaluable. In 2018, Brett, Alden, and Chip successfully summited Denali, enduring grueling days with heavy packs and the punishing cold of North America's tallest mountain. The experience reinforced their belief that they could take on some of the world’s toughest peaks. More importantly, it solidified their commitment to the Seven Summits goal.

Kilimanjaro: A Father-Son Climb (2019)

Brett had first climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2005 during a safari trip, marking it off as a bucket-list adventure. However, in 2019, he returned to climb it once more—this time with his 9-year-old son, Garrett. The experience was vastly different from his first ascent. Sharing the challenge with his son, watching him push through altitude and exhaustion, made the climb far more meaningful. By the time they stood on Uhuru Peak together, four of the Seven Summits had been completed, with three remaining.

Covid Delays & Aconcagua (2022)

Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, was next on the list. Originally planned for earlier, the climb was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, in 2022, Brett, Alden, Chip, David Rich, and John Keagy traveled to Argentina to take on the nearly 23,000-foot mountain.

Aconcagua presented a different kind of challenge. The high-altitude desert climate, relentless winds, and lack of oxygen made the ascent a true endurance test. After days of acclimatization and summit pushes, they reached the top, marking another major step toward their Seven Summits goal.

Alden’s Setback & Climbing Mt. Vinson (2024)

With five of the Seven Summits completed, Alden and Brett set their sights on Mt. Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica. Initially scheduled for 2023, the climb was postponed due to a medical issue that ultimately ended Alden’s climbing career. It was a difficult realization after years of shared expeditions.

Around the same time, Dean Poulakidas had been quietly pursuing his own Seven Summits quest. With some encouragement from Brett, he agreed to join the climb, and in January 2024, the two successfully summited Mt. Vinson together, bringing the team one step closer to their final challenge.

The Final Summit: Everest (2025)

With only Everest remaining, the greatest challenge still lies ahead. This time, Brett, Dean, and Chip are setting out to attempt the climb together, while Jeff Gordman and David Rich plan to accompany them to Base Camp before returning.

The journey is also bringing old climbing partners back into the fold. Tom, who had been part of the group’s early expeditions, is rejoining them for the trek to Base Camp, bringing the journey full circle. Though Alden can no longer climb, he remains an integral part of the adventure, traveling to Kathmandu to see them off before they begin their ascent.

Now, after years of preparation, setbacks, and summits, the team is facing their final challenge—standing on top of the worl