Seth Krier had one of the most life changing experiences anyone at any age could possibly imagine. At 15-years-old, Seth had the adventure of a lifetime climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with his father and the Radiating Hope team this past June.
Krier first heard about Radiating Hope through his Facebook friend Larry Daugherty. Daugherty is Radiating Hope’s past vice president. He continues to combine his love for their cause and his love for the outdoors as he participates in all of Radiating Hope's climbs.
Seth was intrigued by Radiating Hope's cause, but he didn't want to go on this adventure alone. He explains, “While I was on vacation, I saw Larry’s Facebook post about the Mt. Kili trip. It sounded like a really fun trip so I told my dad that we should go together.”
When Seth approached his father, Mr. Krier said he would need to get more details about the climb, and then he would give him an answer.
“At first I didn’t know what Radiating Hope was about, but as I learned more about this organization I truly understood not only the message they were conveying, but also the amazing opportunity they were bringing to other countries,” Seth said.
When his dad said they were going to be able to go to Africa and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Seth was so excited! Krier who is very committed to working out knew that he would have to start doing a little more to feel prepared for the trip. For Christmas that year they both got gym memberships. They set the goal to go three to four times a week for at least an hour. They knew they would encounter steep inclines on the mountain so they would lift weights, complete leg workouts and use the stair climber.
“Besides getting to the top, the people I went on the hike with were the best part of the trip. The bond that you create with people while you are doing something hard is amazing. That friendship and bond is there forever.” Krier went on to say that from this bond he created with his fellow climbers that he still reaches out and talks to them from time to time.
“My dad went to an event where some of the climbers from Mt. Kilimanjaro were there and I had him say hello to everyone for me and ask how everyone was doing.”
Radiating Hope will be participating in a Mt. Everest Base Camp this coming April. When Seth heard about this, he knew he wanted to go, as some of the climbers from his Mt. Kilimanjaro trip would be there. However, circumstances will not allow for that desire to come to fruition. Despite the let-down, Seth knows those relationships will remain strong and with him forever
“At first I didn’t know what Radiating Hope was about, but as I learned more about this organization I truly understood not only the message they were conveying, but also the amazing opportunity they were bringing to other countries,” Seth said.
When his dad said they were going to be able to go to Africa and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Seth was so excited! Krier who is very committed to working out knew that he would have to start doing a little more to feel prepared for the trip. For Christmas that year they both got gym memberships. They set the goal to go three to four times a week for at least an hour. They knew they would encounter steep inclines on the mountain so they would lift weights, complete leg workouts and use the stair climber.
“Besides getting to the top, the people I went on the hike with were the best part of the trip. The bond that you create with people while you are doing something hard is amazing. That friendship and bond is there forever.” Krier went on to say that from this bond he created with his fellow climbers that he still reaches out and talks to them from time to time.
“My dad went to an event where some of the climbers from Mt. Kilimanjaro were there and I had him say hello to everyone for me and ask how everyone was doing.”
Radiating Hope will be participating in a Mt. Everest Base Camp this coming April. When Seth heard about this, he knew he wanted to go, as some of the climbers from his Mt. Kilimanjaro trip would be there. However, circumstances will not allow for that desire to come to fruition. Despite the let-down, Seth knows those relationships will remain strong and with him forever
“Climbing is such a different feel. It’s a very mental sport,” Seth explained.
The hardest part of the entire trip for Krier was the last day. He had to wake up extremely early to make the trip up to the summit. Within the first two-three hours into the hike, he was getting hot flashes and was beginning to get burnt out very quickly. At first, he was leading his group, but as the time went by he was slowing down and told them to go on without him.
Larry noticed Seth slowing down so he stopped and climbed the rest of the way with him. Seth recalls that if it weren’t for Larry, he would not have made it to the top. It took them six hours to make it to the summit. Since he had fallen behind the rest of the climbers they were unsure of when Seth would make it to the top. Once they saw him come into view they were so excited to see him and started cheering and encouraging him to the finish line. Krier said that from the hard morning that he had, their excitement for him made the morning completely worth it.
A motivator that helped Krier reach the summit was a fun bet that him and his friends made at lunchtime before school let out earlier this year. He said that his friends would sit around the table and jokingly making bets on how long he would last climbing. Some told him he wouldn’t last more than five minutes. This kept Seth going and knew that if he stopped before he reached the top he wouldn’t hear the end of it when he got back home.
One of Krier’s favorite quotes is from Elon Musk, “I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.” Seth goes on to say that knowing Musk’s story, you can choose to get on top, you can choose to do anything. This is exactly what Seth did. He decided to be extraordinary and didn’t give up.
The hardest part of the entire trip for Krier was the last day. He had to wake up extremely early to make the trip up to the summit. Within the first two-three hours into the hike, he was getting hot flashes and was beginning to get burnt out very quickly. At first, he was leading his group, but as the time went by he was slowing down and told them to go on without him.
Larry noticed Seth slowing down so he stopped and climbed the rest of the way with him. Seth recalls that if it weren’t for Larry, he would not have made it to the top. It took them six hours to make it to the summit. Since he had fallen behind the rest of the climbers they were unsure of when Seth would make it to the top. Once they saw him come into view they were so excited to see him and started cheering and encouraging him to the finish line. Krier said that from the hard morning that he had, their excitement for him made the morning completely worth it.
A motivator that helped Krier reach the summit was a fun bet that him and his friends made at lunchtime before school let out earlier this year. He said that his friends would sit around the table and jokingly making bets on how long he would last climbing. Some told him he wouldn’t last more than five minutes. This kept Seth going and knew that if he stopped before he reached the top he wouldn’t hear the end of it when he got back home.
One of Krier’s favorite quotes is from Elon Musk, “I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.” Seth goes on to say that knowing Musk’s story, you can choose to get on top, you can choose to do anything. This is exactly what Seth did. He decided to be extraordinary and didn’t give up.