A group atop Gold Mountain during the 2008 series of the Seven Summits of Big Bear.

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Superstar team: Karen Lundgren, Jordan Romero and Paul Romero (prior to their Everest climb. Photo courtesy of Team Jordan Romero.)

Team Jordan Romero returned to the United States on Wednesday, after accomplishing their amazing feat, in summiting Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world at 29,035’—and breaking one record and making a new one. Thirteen-year-old Jordan Romero is the youngest person ever to reach the peak of Everest and, as accompanied by dad Paul Romero and his partner Karen Lundgen, they are also the first family to be atop Everest together. When, nearly two months later, the now world-renowned trio returned to the U.S., Jordan’s mom LeighAnne Drake and younger sister Makaela were there to surprise them for a big hug, as this has been the teen’s longest time away from home ever (though he had been gone for as many as three weeks at a time in climbing other peaks of the world). Since arriving in New York City on June 2, Jordan, Paul and Karen have been on a media blitz and, this morning, were featured on NBC’s “Today Show.” In their interview on the couch with Matt Lauer, Jordan explained how the altitude, at over 20,000’ for weeks, did prompt minor headaches and, he said of Everest, “Climbing Everest is only 10 percent climbing, the rest of it is resting and acclimating.” Paul notes that though there were some bluebird days on the mountain, they also braved “major snow dumps” and temperatures as low as -60° degrees below—and coupled with winds! Still, they were happy just to be there, and as Karen noted on TV, Jordan had said, “If this is all we do, look at the mountain, I’m happy.” And yet, they are happier still, as their goal has been accomplished. According to Jordan this morning, “It was a very, very hard mountain, and it took lots of dedication and time preparing for it.” Now, the trio prepares for their return back to Big Bear, and are scheduled to fly into LAX tonight, and greet friends at Nottingham’s in the Village of Big Bear Lake on Saturday at noon. A community-wide welcome home celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 9 at Big Bear Middle School. The event, billed as “Welcome Back Jordan and Live Your Dreams Fair,” will be from 4:30pm to 8pm at the BBMS field (off Big Bear Boulevard at Jeffries Road). There will also be a dinner opportunity at 5:30pm ($8 for adults, $5 for children), to be followed by a slide show at 7pm. For more information on this event, including fair booth and volunteer opportunities, contact the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce at 866-4607. For more information on Jordan, click on the “Jordan Romero” tab at the end of this story.

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1. Big Bear Welcomes Home Team Jordan Romero, Celebrating Their Seven Summits Quest and Record-Breaking Mt. Everest Climb With “Live Your Dreams” Fair
2. Team Jordan Romero Calls from Chinese Base Camp En Route to 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest
3. Team Jordan Romero Calls in a Big Bear Shout-Out from Everest Advanced Base Camp

Ted and Heather Devito, the team behind Mountain Fitness Center, invite climbers of all abilities to join them in the Seven Summits of Big Bear, a series of climbs that have become annual outings here in the Big Bear Valley. Hikes start with the easier of the peaks and progress to the biggie, Mt. San Gorgonio. Most hikes begin at 8am, though climbers will definitely want to visit SevenSummitsofBigBear.com for specifics on where to go, what to bring, and what to expect in terms of hikers’ responsibilities. Hike dates are as follows: Bertha Peak on May 29, Grey’s Peak on June 5, Gold Mountain on June 19, Delamar Mountain on July 10, Sugarlump/BearPeak on July 24, Sugarloaf Mountain on August 7 and San Gorgonio on August 28.

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3. Big Bear Welcomes Home Team Jordan Romero, Celebrating Their Seven Summits Quest and Record-Breaking Mt. Everest Climb With “Live Your Dreams” Fair

Proving himself an athlete last September, Jordan Romero was the youngest person to complete the Run the Bear Marathon--and this, upon having just returned from a record-breaking 16,000' summit to Indonesia's tallest peak and, two days before the marathon, competing in a BBMS cross-country meet in 97 degree heat! Upon reachng the finish line after a 26.2 mile run, 13-year-old J-man was embraced by proud parents, mom LeighAnne Drake and dad Paul Romero.

Now that Big Bear Middle School eighth grader Jordan Romero has achieved his years-long dream, reaching the summit of Mt. Everest–the highest peak in the world, and in doing so, setting a world record by being the youngest person ever to reach the peak at age 13–he and dad Paul Romero and climbing partner Karen Lundgren begin their long journey back to Big Bear. Earlier today (May 25), the three had arrived at Chinese Base Camp. They reported that they were safe and sound, having made the descent to the lower elevation, and have before them a 20-hour Jeep ride to Kathmandu, where a five-star hotel complete with creature comforts not available to them in the last month awaits. Upon reaching the 29,035′ summit of Mt. Everest, Jordan had his first interview via Skype on the “CBS Early Show” on Monday morning. In his interview, he did say of the climb, “It was definitely harder than I thought it would be. I knew it would be a hard mountain–it’s Everest.” But, he tells the “Early Show”’s co-anchor Harry Smith of reaching the summit, his seventh of the world’s tallest peaks, “It was a feeling like no other. We had the best team coming up and just the whole trip, me and my other teammates, rehearsed this whole summit push in our heads. It was totally worth it. It was the time of our lives and it was just such a happy feeling.” Just before leaving Big Bear Lake on April 5, Jordan had told KBHR that it wasn’t about the world record (previously held by a 15-year-old Sherpa girl, and seconded by 17-year-old Johnny Strange of Malibu, who summited Everest a year ago). In Jordan’s words from here at home before the amazing feat, “It’s probably just seeing the mountain [that] is the biggest experience, and reaching the summit. But, for me, it’s just being there on the mountain and seeing Everest right in front of me. For me, that’s what it’s really all about.” (For background on Jordan Romero, click on his link below for other stories; for details on his participation in the Run the Bear Marathon, you can also click on the “Conquer the Bear” link.)
Update as of May 26: The trio has made their final descent on Everest, and have since safely arrived in Kathmandu, where they have enjoyed their first showers in 43 days!

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1. Team Jordan Romero Calls from Chinese Base Camp En Route to 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest
2. Team Jordan Romero Summits Mt. Everest
3. Team Jordan Romero Calls in a Big Bear Shout-Out from Everest Advanced Base Camp

Team Jordan Romero has not yet posted photos from atop Everest, but here is Jordan on an earlier descent on the mountain.

It worked out well that this week’s snowstorm fell on Sunday, rather than on Friday, when the Amgen Tour of California rolled through the Big Bear Valley, bringing us worldwide coverage as the professional cycling race, ultimately won by Michael Rogers of HTC-Columbia, was viewed in over 200 countries. Also putting Big Bear on the map over the weekend was the amazing effort by Team Jordan Romero, who summited Mt. Everest on May 22, or Friday night our time, which was all the buzz at the post-Amgen festivities in the Village.
In the most recent update from 13-year-old Jordan Romero, dad Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren, they posted: “When we arrived, we had the entire north face to ourselves, just our team. Near excellent conditions, light snow falling, and a pace and efficiency above what we could have expected. Everything went as planned. So it’s all true, everything you’ve seen and read. Jordan not only climbed Mt. Everest, but he climbed with unbelievable strength and skill. When we arrived, here’s what Jordan said: ‘Hello Mom, it’s your son calling from the top of the world, everything’s OK. I did it.’” This, they note, as Jordan shielded himself from the wind at 29,035 feet. Right now the team is back at “the relative warmth and comfort” of Everest’s Advanced Base Camp at 21,000 feet. Congratulations to Jordan, Paul and Karen on their amazing feat! (For background on Team Jordan Romero’s record-breaking Everest quest, click on the “Jordan Romero” tab at the bottom of this story.)

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1. Team Jordan Romero Calls in a Big Bear Shout-Out from Everest Advanced Base Camp
2. Team Jordan Romero Calls from Chinese Base Camp En Route to 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest
3. Team Jordan Romero Returns to Big Bear, Two Months Later, After Record-Breaking Climb of Mt. Everest; Welcome Home Celebration on June 9

Big Bear's Jordan Romero on Mt. Everest at 23,000'

Team Jordan Romero is continuing their progress, as they move closer to the summit of Mt. Everest and ready for their final ascent to the 29,029′ peak which, once achieved, will make 13-year-old Jordan Romero the youngest person ever to reach the tallest peak in the world! In a call home to Big Bear this morning (May 20), Jordan says that they are safely at Camp 2, which is at an elevation of 24,750′. In the morning, which will be nighttime for us (15 hours behind China time), Jordan, dad Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren, along with two sherpas, make the climb for Camp 3, the fifth of five camps on Everest and at an elevation of 27,390′. From Camp 3, the trio makes the final ascent for the peak in what will be a 15-hour round-trip day, using oxygen every step of the way. In his call home, according to his mom LeighAnne Drake, Jordan mentioned that it had been windy on Everest, but all were doing great and were excited for the next move. As noted by Jordan earlier this week, “I feel in some way I have succeeded in just getting this far but, on the other hand, I am drawn to do something great. Know that it comes from my heart. I hope I make you all proud.” (For background on Jordan and progress on the Mt. Everest adventure, click on the “Jordan Romero” tab at the bottom of this story; stories posted prior to 2009 are accessible in the KBHR News Archives.)

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1. “It’s On”: Team Jordan Romero Readies for Their Final Ascent to the 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest
2. Team Jordan Romero Calls from Chinese Base Camp En Route to 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest
3. Team Jordan Romero Calls in a Big Bear Shout-Out from Everest Advanced Base Camp

The trio, on a training climb to Advanced Base Camp

On Monday, we played for you a message from Jordan Romero, the Big Bear Middle School eighth grader poised to be the youngest person ever to climb Mt. Everest, as he and dad Paul Romero and climbing partner Karen Lundgren left Big Bear Lake for Nepal on April 5 and have since been readying for this, the climb to the 29,029′ summit. In his call, 13-year-old Romero says, “It is time for what we’ve come for. We are about to start the climb. We may summit on the 21st of May, so we’re really looking forward to that, and we are really prepared. We’re strong, and we’ve been resting and eating and sleeping up down here at base camp, so we feel like we’re ready.”

Thirteen-year-old Jordan on Everest, making a call back home to mom in Fawnskin this week.

In the meantime, Romero’s mom LeighAnne Drake, in Fawnskin, has been in contact with him, and tells KBHR, “They were planning to leave for the summit on Wednesday. Jordan’s been at Chinese base camp, waiting for the weather to clear, so during that time he’s been playing ping-pong in the Russian team’s tent, and he has been a guest at many other tents for dinners and movie watching. Once they got the report that the weather was going to clear, they made a one-day trip to Advanced Base Camp on Everest, at just over 21,000′. While waiting for the for the time to head up in recent days, they’ve been doing training hikes to the North Col, which is the next camp after Advanced Base Camp. During his climbing, Jordan’s been doing trash pickup, left behind by others along the trail—which just goes to show that he’s sincerely interested in the environment, even while he’s there climbing.”

Jordan and Karen on a clean-up mission, while waiting for the perfect break in the weather to begin their final ascent.

While waiting for the perfect opportunity, weather-wise, the Team Jordan Romero trio has been storing oxygen tanks at Everest’s Camp 2 at 24,750′. “Once at that level,” Mom explains, “they will be using oxygen for the remainder of the climb. Once they leave from the final camp, Camp 3 at roughly 27,000′, it’s about a 15-hour day, round trip to the summit.” In a Facebook posting on Tuesday night, the team relays they were about to go, noting, “Roll your beads, hang the prayer flags, light a candle or whatever. This young man is glowing. It’s on.” In the most recent update from Team Jordan Romero, the packs are on and Jordan, Paul and Karen, along with two sherpas (as one sherpa got sick, and the yaks stay behind at a lower elevation), are en route to the summit and expect to reach the 29,029′ peak on May 22, which, on China time, arrives 15 hours earlier than back here in Big Bear. We’ll keep you posted on the team’s progress in this amazing adventure—but, in the meantime, Jordan says, “I feel in some way I have succeeded in just getting this far but, on the other hand, I am drawn to do something great. Know that it comes from my heart. I hope I make you all proud.” (For background on Jordan, and updates from Everest, click on the “Jordan Romero” tab at the bottom of this story.)  Ad alta!

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1. Team Jordan Romero Just One Camp Away from Final Ascent to Mt. Everest’s 29,029′ Peak
2. Team Jordan Romero Calls from Chinese Base Camp En Route to 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest
3. Team Jordan Romero Calls in a Big Bear Shout-Out from Everest Advanced Base Camp

Jordan, reading at base camp; he may be doing some school work, as he is on independent study for his eighth grade classes at BBMS.

The amazing adventures of Team Jordan Romero continue, as the trio of 13-year-old Jordan Romero, his dad Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren are making progress in their trek to summit Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world at 29,029’. Though receipt of satellite phone transmissions from half-way across the world can be technically challenged, we did hear from Jordan last night, who left a message for you, his Big Bear friends and fans, with KBHR. In his voicemail from Chinese base camp on Mt. Everest, Jordan sounds exuberant, and says, “It is perfect weather so far and, man, I love it here! We have had amazing weather so far and this trip has gone smoothly.” Team Jordan Romero left Big Bear Lake for Nepal on April 5; reaching the peak of Mt. Everest will be the seventh of the world’s summits for the trio, who also plan to climb Mt. Vinson in Antarctica. For background on this adventure, see our story: ‘Thirteen-Year-Old Jordan Romero Readies for the Climb of His Life; Trio Departs for Mt. Everest on April 5.’

Team Jordan Romero (from left: Paul, Karen and Jordan) with base camp manager Rich, in a photo dated April 19.

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We can take care of our Earth, starting with picking up trash so that it doesn't run down streets and tributaries to Big Bear Lake.

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Paul and Jordan Romero on a helicopter en route to a base camp in Indonesia, for their September 2009 climb to the summit of Carstensz Pyramid.

In exciting news from Nepal, half way across the world, Jordan Romero, Big Bear’s 13-year-old mountaineer extraordinaire, called us here at KBHR today, April 14, to share with Big Bear that he and dad Paul Romero and Karen Lundgren are right on schedule in their quest to summit Mt. Everest at 29,029’. “Things are going super-well,” says the Big Bear Middle School eighth grader. “We’re strong, we’re healthy and everything’s on track.” Already the climbing trio is at 15,000’ and should arrive at base camp on Everest in the next day or so. Before signing off in his message (which will air on 93.3 FM during today’s newscasts), he added, “We miss everything about Big Bear, and all you folks for supporting us. Keep in touch. Ad alta!” For background on Team Jordan Romero’s climb, read KBHR’s story: ‘Thirteen-Year-Old Jordan Romero Readies for the Climb of His Life; Trio Departs for Mt. Everest on April 5′
Update: Team Jordan Romero called us late night April 15 (making it Friday, April 16 in Nepal) to tell us that they have arrived safely at base camp on Mt. Everest–and, no, the trio was not affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake centered in China on April 13.

Related posts:

1. Team Jordan Romero Calls from Chinese Base Camp En Route to 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest
2. Team Jordan Romero Calls in a Big Bear Shout-Out from Everest Advanced Base Camp
3. “It’s On”: Team Jordan Romero Readies for Their Final Ascent to the 29,029′ Peak of Mt. Everest