Wasilla man ascending Denali in name of adventure and charity

MAT-SU - One local charity is getting a lift through the work of a Wasilla man. Actually, a 20,320-foot lift.

Joe Riggs, a local businessman, is ascending Mount McKinley next week, and while he is climbing for the summit, he will also be climbing for the well-being of Mat-Su children.

Riggs, a Rotarian, told of his climb at a recent meeting and invited charities to get involved. The Childrens Place immediately got on board with the Climbing for Kids program.

I figured I was going up, and I may as well help out local charities if they wanted, Riggs said.

The Childrens Place is a Wasilla organization that provides a place where abused children can receive physical exams and talk to law enforcement agencies in a comfortable setting. The group is soliciting pledges of a dime a foot for Riggs journey, which will be 13,100 feet.

When he made his presentation, Dr. Robert Beck, who is on our board of directors, took the lead with it, said Margaret Volz, program director at the Childrens Place. Joe was interested in childrens issues, and it seemed like a great way to get involved.

Although his area of expertise is not in altitude climbing, Riggs does have plenty of mountaineering experience. He has climbed Mount Hood and Mount Rainier in Washington, as well as the north face of Pioneer Peak. It will be his first trip up North Americas highest peak.

Riggs main expertise is in the area of highly technical climbing. In the past, he has done extremely steep, technical climbs, including a lot of ice climbing.

Riggs is joining five other climbers, including Daniel Parks, of Wasilla.

The group is climbing the West Buttress to the summit, and has set aside 27 days. The extended amount of time gives the group a great shot at reaching the summit.

We are a conservative group of climbers. Our goal is to have fun and enjoy the climb, not just to get to the summit, Riggs said. Its in our back yard and we want to keep our fingers and toes.

When he does reach the summit, the Childrens Place will benefit financially through the pledges. But just as dramatically, the group will have its flag flying at McKinleys 20,320-foot-high pinnacle, as Riggs told the group he can plant its flag at the top of the mountain.

The main concern for Riggs, like any climber trying to tame the peak often referred to as Denali, is weather. If the weather cooperates, the West Buttress climb is one of the easier ways up the intimidating mountain. If the weather does not cooperate, however, anything can happen.

Thats the unique thing about Denali. A guy who is on the StairMaster every day for a month and has never seen a mountain can do it if the weather is perfect, Riggs said. But if the weather turns bad and socks you in, the most experienced climbers cant do it.

The climb begins June 2, and could last until June 29.

For information about the Childrens Place, or how to donate to Riggs ascent of Mount McKinley, interested people may call 357-5157.

Photo: Mount McKinley towers by a nearby lake. Wasilla businessman Joe Riggs is climbing North Americas tallest peak next week, and the childrens Place is using it as a fundraiser.

PFrontiersman file photo.