Amidst the sex, drugs, and rock and roll of the 1960′s, another, quieter, movement was blossoming across the United States. Beyond the festival fields and marching grounds, on the sun-baked faces of majestic cliffs, the golden age of rock climbing had been born. Throughout the decade, the sport was pushed to new levels by a handful of pioneers such as Layton Kor, who set routes in big rock faces across the world from the Rockies to the Dolomites, and from Eigerwand in Switzerland back to the grand walls of Yosemite Valley.
A humble man with an insatiable drive, Kor’s reputation grew with each new ascent. Today he is considered to be one of the founding fathers of modern-day climbing. The author of several books, including current collector’s item Beyond the Vertical, Kor was a source of inspiration for many of today’s most elite rock climbing athletes. But now seventy-year-old Kor faces what could be his steepest challenge to date: Finding a way to pay for his own kidney transplant surgery. But the climbing community, unwilling to sit idly by while one of their heroes suffers the pangs and arrows of a financially daunting health care system, have come out in full force to raise money to help pay his medical bills.
The subtext of Layton Kor Climbing, a website launched to help raise money for the climber, simply reads, ‘Help us help a climbing legend.’ Visitors to the website are encouraged to make minimum donations of $25. In addition to the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped one of the climbing world’s most iconic and inspirational figures, those who donate also have the opportunity of winning some cool stuff.
Anyone who donates will have his or her name entered into a raffle (you get a ticket for every $25 you donate) and the opportunity to win all sorts of rad prizes ranging from gear donated by outdoor brands to the grand prize, a guided climb up one of five historic Kor ascents, led by some of today’s best climbers, including our own Global iWend Ambassador Steph Davis.
Back in June, Steph Davis told Wend:
“When I first started climbing, I was totally inspired by the legendary climber, Layton Kor. Layton made cutting edge ascents in the Utah desert, the Diamond, Yosemite, the Black Canyon, and the Alps. He loved all the places I love, and in my opinion, stands out clearly as the most amazing, visionary, and unique climber of his generation.”
According to Layton Kor Climbing, the iconic climber’s insurance, even when coupled with his Medicaid and Medicare benefits, can’t cover the costs of the operation. His kidney transplant alone will cost over $250,000; then he must cover the costs of drugs, a steady regimen of dialysis and a ‘substantial’ monthly insurance deductible.
March is the last month for the fundraiser, so time is running out to donate. The final raffle drawing, which will in part decide who wins the grand prize climbing packages, will be on April 1st. In addition to the grand prize, organizers will also be drawing winners for another big gear package.
Go to Layton Kor Climbing to make your donation now.
