Mission Project

By Christopher Stoehner

I am a man, that's it. Ordinary Joe from a desert in New Mexico. I have had one passion my entire life: to serve my country and be proud and honorable. In 2006 the United States military deemed me disabled from a war that I volunteered to fight in, I don't regret nor will I ever. However, since losing my grip on life I have had to find a new passion to pursue; one that intrigued me, kept me occupied and helped me to heal from the wounds I sustained in combat. That passion is climbing. Rock climbing, mountain climbing, tree climbing whatever climbing... it brings me a sense of accomplishment and pride. Ed Viesturs, like many, has inspired me to climb better everyday, and because of the way Mountain Hardwear treated Ed in his endeavor I have chosen Mountain Hardwear as my main source for gear. Every mountain trip I take a Piute, Trango 2, and at least my Chugach pants. When at home I proudly wear a union blue Mountain Hardwear ballcap. My mission is to challenge myself and reach to places far beyond the limits of the ordinary Joes. To show the rest of the world that while war may tear us apart, climbing can bring us together and fulfill a peace within us. Thank you Mountain Hardwear for helping me to find the 'Freedom of the Hills'.