Andy Buroker '84 and Matthew Griggs '03 Prepare to Climb 'The Great One'

April 29, 2007

April 29, 2007, Greencastle, Ind. - "I guess the most alluring thing is braving the elements," says Andy Buroker, a 1984 graduate of DePauw University, as he "sets out this week on a three-week summit attempt of North America's tallest peak," Mount McKinley. Buroker's team for the difficult climb includes Matthew Griggs '03. Their upcoming adventure is the subject of a feature in today's Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

"The anxiety is there a little bit (and) the uncertainty," Buroker (pictured at top), a Fort Wayne native, tells the newspaper. The article describes in some detail how Buroker has trained, and of some of the dangers he and his team may encounter as they climb the summit. Buroker is a partner in the Indianapolis law firm of Krieg De Vault and national chair of the American Heart Association.

"Griggs, a fellow DePauw University graduate and environmental scientist living in Indianapolis, barely has the money," writes Michael Schroeder. "He says the $5,000 for the guided climb of Mount McKinley and thousands more for gear is 'putting him in the poorhouse.' But he's hardly second-guessing his decision. 'This is kind of a childhood dream of mine to pursue the Seven Summits,' he said, referring to the tallest peak on every continent. Griggs took part in a training climb of Mount Rainier last year, but this will be the first of the Seven Summits he's attempting."

Schroeder reports, "On Thursday, Buroker will get into a small plane in tiny Talkeetna, Alaska, with several others in his expedition. Group members will be flown onto Kahiltna Glacier -- base camp on Mount McKinley at 7,300 feet. Also known as Denali -- 'the great one' -- the mountain dwarfs surrounding peaks for its shear rise to 20,320 feet and ranks as one of the coldest in the world."

The text notes, "Buroker likes that Griggs has drive and EMT training -- including for high-angle rescue -- and Griggs says he's comfortable teaming with Buroker because of his experience handling high-pressure professional situations. 'You've got to be able to think on your feet, and you've got to know your limits,' Griggs said. He adds that Buroker seems passionate, but realistic, about climbing, a balance the self-assured Griggs says he strikes as well."

Read the complete story, which includes photos of Andy Buroker, at the Journal Gazette's Web site.

Andrew B. Buroker received the American Heart Association's Distinguished Leadership Award April 22 in Washington, D.C. Learn more in this previous article.

Back