The Heroes Project story of Operation Aconcagua is one that has held us transfixed since Tim Wayne Medvetz started reporting on the amputee climbs for the Live Your Adventure blog. But USMC Corporal Brad Ivanchan’s achievement of becoming the first double amputee to reach the summit of South American’s highest peak is pure inspiration, once again. Yet with all mountaineering expeditions, it’s not a success until you return alive.

Eddie Bauer First Ascent splitboarder Kyle Miller has been drifting with a purpose this winter around the burliest ranges of the West Coast, from Revelstoke and Rogers Pass to Utah’s Wasatch and the Canadian Coast Range. But he’s a Washington guy in heart and soul.

The stories we’ve been told by Heroes Project founder Tim Wayne Medvetz are consistently strong and powerfully inspiring. But the recap from their recent climb of Aconcagua, where the organization empowered double amputee and USMC Corporal Brad Ivanchan toward the summit of South America’s highest peak, is the best one yet.

For Eddie Bauer guide Caroline George, the ice called her home this winter. After a two-year break from technical ice climbing—to dive into motherhood—the frozen vertical drew her back with a vengeance this year as she and her husband, guide Adam George, traveled from New Hampshire to Ouray to France and the Bernese Oberland, finding some of the best Euro ice in nearly a decade.

When we first joined forces with The Heroes Project for their attempt on Carstensz Pyramid, we were inspired by their story of empowering wounded veterans to the summits of the highest peaks on all seven continents. But on each successive mission, Tim Wayne Medvetz has impressed us with the powerful first-person stories of what the organization has accomplished for men who have sacrificed their limbs for our country.

Last season on Everest, Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide Dave Hahn climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest for a record 14th time, more times than any other Westerner. Yesterday he increased his statistical record to 15, and 12th successful climb during a 12-year stretch. This Everest super guide has been called “The King of Patience” because of his calculated approach, yet his perspective on the peak has shifted since Everest summit number one.

Today is the 50th anniversary of Tom Hornbein and Willi Unsoeld’s legendary first ascent of the West Ridge of Mount Everest. We’re celebrating this bold and visionary ascent with the iconic National Geographic photo of the two climbers heading out in their Eddie Bauer down in 1963. To learn more about their historic climb visit: http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/MP/Everest