Iowans Talk about History Making Climb to the Top of the World

LAHSA, TIBET (CBS2/FOX28) - Exhausted but smiling faces finally come into focus from half a world away via SKYPE and the unmistakable images of Andy and John Anderson who can’t contain their excitement after making history on Mount Everest. The two climbers were finally able to contact CBS2/FOX28 as they reached the safety of Lahsa, below base camp. Andy says it’s a dream come true, “ This has been a lifetime goal for us so I think we feel elation, relief and just joy because we love being in the mountains.” Early Monday morning, just before sunrise, Andy and John made their final push to the summit to become the first Iowans to ever scale the north ridge of Everest and stand on the top of the world. Andy, a university of Iowa professor says unfurling the Iowa and UNI flags on the peak was a special moment. John says during the final hours they pushed past other teams on the mountain and thank all their running and training in Iowa for getting them safely to the summit, “ We’re probably in the peak conditions of our lives and then we had a great Sherpa team that assisted us with setting us up for success there. We really couldn’t have done it without them.” Winning the final ascent was far from guaranteed, especially this year. At least ten people have died on the mountain, including one climber Andy and John passed shortly before he suffered a massive heart attack. The say they feel fortunate to finally be heading home safe and Andy says they owe a lot of it to all the heartfelt support from Iowa, “ To be perfectly honest, when I got down a little bit or was having a tough day, I’d think about all the support I had at home and we’re really, really grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and UNI specifically, it’s been great.” The Andersons say they’re proud their climb is also drawing attention and funding for veterans living with PTSD. It will help them take their own hiking and climbing adventures in the future.