Stairway To Heaven

The climb was insane and I cannot express how amazing it was, I mean who would ever think that I would be falling asleep one night and waking up to views that are so pure and created by God that I was just shocked that something this great was right in front of my eyes. It's kind of like a new born child, God created this gift for you to enjoy and share with for the rest of your life and you treasure every moment of it. To see these views was raw determination. I say this only because if I wouldn't have pushed myself to move further I would have been stuck there at the base saying I can't do this but I just had so much fire inside me that was burning and it would take a lot to shut my heart down. You know your giving everything you got when your legs start to turn into jello and every step seems like more weight is added on and you have to pull on your leg just to get it to move, or even worse when you are coming down and you fall because your mind is just focused on finishing that your body just naturally gets tired while you collapse falling down the mountain. Not to be selfish but I did not do it alone, I had the guidance of my teammates to keep me from turning back. At one point I was so sick from not drinking water at one point I said this is it for me I can't take no more, after I was left behind and left with Greg I realized what am I doing sitting here I must keep going to the next level. So soon after I grabbed all of my gear took a swig of water and just started putting one foot in front of the other and I was propelling myself up that mountain. In a previous letter it talks about how I adventured snow blindness and did not make it to the top of Mount Elbrus but that does not make me any less of a person, I gave it my best shot, I just don't really know what to think of it. For an odd reason I was not meant to climb all the way to the top and I have to accept that. And after saying that I kind of realized why I was held back from finishing.

Who am I in this world? That’s a good question but can simply be answered by saying that I am who I am. I am not some person in Hollywood, my parents, or my brothers, I am Tim Heidt and I care about others around me and myself. All I need in life is what I believe and to push towards success no matter how many times I fail and even if I just succeed once that is all I will ever need in life. No is just not an option for me you just got to keep on moving even when the road starts to take some turns and there are pot holes that need be swerved but one way or another you found a way around it and that is how we keep living the lives we do, just keep on going and build desire in your heart, and just maybe you will make it out alive. You should never live life scared because you never know when your time is up and that is why I choose to do the things I do, being a risk taker is the best part of my life because I am willing to give things a shot to prove to myself that things are very well possible if you set your mind to it. I am very well proud of myself for flying all the way across the world and doing something that not many people get the chance to do, even if I didn't get to climb I still went and gave it a shot and that’s all that matters because I never gave up and I gave it a look and it was well worth my time. To this day I really do not know what I was supposed to over come. I may never know what could have been all I know is that I went, I saw, and I conquered; and my new life has begun. I am making it out to be the best life I will ever have even if I was to die soon or later, I know I would return to another life and continue the path of life.

Sincerely,
Tim Heidt (The Eagle Eye Pontificator)

Once I had kissed Kelsey goodby, checked my bags, made it through security, and finally settled into my seat aboard British Airways flight #218 from Denver to London I knew I was embarking on a truly wild adventure, what I didn’t know was it would be a life changing experience. I spent a year preparing this, and even after managing my sobriety, maintaining my relationship, holding a full-time job, going to the gym, and countless attempts to quit smoking, I still couldn’t believe that it was actually here.
I had climbed a few fourteeners around Colorado before, and I thought I had some Idea of what Elbrus would be like but, well, its hard to imagine what watching the sunrise from underneath the clouds you stand on top of everything around you, or summiting an 18,510 ft. peak is like unless you have actually experienced it. However it may sound, I learned a lot about myself, standing on the top of Europe, tears in my eyes, knowing that I had just completed the task I’d spent a year preparing for. I like to do things by myself. I pride myself on being a self sufficient person. I have a high pain tolerance and I am not easily discourage. All of this meant nothing once I hit 17,000 ft. My head was pounding, I was nauseous, I had no water, and every inch of my body was telling me to turn around. I was forced to ask for help, to swallow some of my pride and rely on those around me. I learned that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that I cannot do if I am determined enough and am willing to ask for assistance when I get down.
The most meaningful part of the trip however was not the climb but the people I met. They invited us into their homes, and fed us even when they might not have food enough for themselves after only knowing us for a few days. I learned that even when people grow up in totally different worlds, have different opportunities and experiences, even different religious beliefs, they can still connect, even laugh and become friends, because they are human. I left Russia with a love for all humanity.
My experience with John Davis and 2xtreme has taught me to me a more loving and attentive boyfriend, a more respectful son, and more involved older brother. It has given me the drive and confidence I needed to get back into school and earn my degree.

The 2Xtreme trip changed my life. Making it to the top of Elbrus was something I never thought I could do from the beginning. Many people told me I was never going to be able to do it but that’s one of the things that helped me make it to the top, was to prove them wrong. Being at the top of the mountain was the best feeling I have ever had and I I’ll never forget that moment. I know now that I can do anything I want if I put my mind to it. The trip has made me look at life in a whole different way, like how thw chetchen kids had gone through so many bad things but are still so happy. The trip really made me relize we really do live in the best country in the world. I never thought that I would be able to go without my family and friends for 16 days, but on the trip I made new friends who I will ne ver forget. The coolest thing about the guys on the team is their not like my other friends who tell me I have to do drugs or drink to be cool or fit in. The guys on the team are the some of the best guys I’ve ever met. I’m so thankful for John and what he does so I can do what I did, and also be able to meet kids that have gone through stuff like I have so that I am able to relate to. If I never went on this trip or if I never met John, I probably would be drinking and using drugs, but the 2Xtreme dream taught me I don’t need that stuff to feel good, I need stuff like climbing to the top of mountain to feel good. Thank you everybody that was a part of this you guys helped me be a better person.

2xtreme to Believe

Can our youngest son ever come to grips with the death of his older brother, and have a life that is meaningful to him? As parents we question ourselves each and everyday how can we help Tim? Then along came John Davis and his 2xtreme program for young adult males trying to cope with life’s challenges. The love John has for all these young men are immeasurable. So when Tim was accepted into John’s group to go climb Mount Elbrus we were ecstatic for Tim, and at the same time wanting to hold on to him even tighter. At last it was time for the group to meet at Denver International Airport and send the boys on their way. Tim had a nervous smile upon his face and a look in his eyes I am ready for the challenge. We hugged and kissed him good-bye, at the same time trying to keep our spirits up. Its 12:30 in the morning and the phone rings; its Tim calling trying to convince us to talk with John and let him continue the climb. We asked why the need to talk with John? What is the problem? Tim explains he took his goggles off for a short time and now had a case of snow blindness. All this time Tim wanted to climb Mt. Elbrus for his brother; and now he has figured out he needed to do this for him, to find out who he really is. After speaking with John Tim’s health and safety was his first priority. The decision would be day to day as to whether Tim would complete the climb. How would this decision fair with Tim, and how would this set back be handled? A few days later we were able to talk with Tim and to our amazement he was extremely enthusiastic and on his way to the orphanage to play soccer. We thought to ourselves wow he must have completed the climb; instead he said no, but that it was ok he had found the true meaning of the trip. To challenge one’s physical ability, accept the consciences for his mistake in not wearing his goggles; and most of all is thankful for who he is and what he will become. A month since Tim’s returned is vastly approaching; and you might ask how this program has changed Tim. He walks with his head held high, a smile upon his face, love in his heart for all those in need; and most importantly believes life is worth living.

John… God Bless you and your family; our heart felt thanks,

Kevin & Debbie

My trip to Russia was absoutely amazing. Climbing the mountain was a life changing expierence and I will never forget it. Everything about the trip changed the way I look at things in my life. I learned that I am mentally strong enough to achieve anything I set my mind to. I went there to summit Mt. Elbrus and, for me, there wasn't another option. Even going into it with this attitude it was the support from Wren that helped me continue to the top. There were many times that we both wanted to stop and turn around but we both encouraged each other and stayed focus on the goal. The team that I went to Russia with was a congregation of some of the greatest people I have ever encountered in my 18 years on this earth. Each and every person changed over the year we trained into better people. I can see why these guys were chosen and I am proud to be a part of it. I will never forget my team members and the people I met over there. Whether you turned around at 16,000 ft. or you summited, you had the support of everyone on the team. My situation in life is much better then it was two years ago when I was smoking and selling weed. I am incredibly proud of myself and I have John to thank for all the positive changes in my life. Without John I would either be in jail or worse. I see the world in a whole different perspective after this trip. Being able to see others cultures and experience the significant differences from our lives in America I have a greater appreciation for my life here. Much love and thanks to the 2Xtreme team, John, Rich, Zour, Reaustam, Jamie, Matt, "Hutch", Reaustam's parents, Zour's parents, the hundreds of amazing Chechnyans I met and played soccer with, and the many drivers that shuttled the team around Nalchek and Mineraly Vody.


Brandon Aurand

The 2xtreme Dream was an amazing experience which will leave an imprint on me for the rest of my life. It is not every day that a 15-year-old boy goes to the other side of the globe without his parents. John has led me on a path which involved Mt. Elbrus. As John repeated on numerous occasions on the trip: “Can you believe it? You guys are living the metaphor.” When he said that he really meant, “The mountain is your life and you are trying to conquer it.” Personally, I walked away from this trip knowing that no matter how much work and pain you put into something, you must keep going to pursue your goal. Once climbing the mountain I literally felt like I had climbed out of my own hole and I was given a new starting point to continue my life as a happy and successful person.

Soccer with the Chechen orphans was an incredible experience. The kids made us feel like we were famous they made us feel like it was an honor to play with us. I remember shaking almost every one of those kids hands, over one thousand, some multiple times.

My life was a rock and now I feel like the rock has cracked and I have achieved that break is by putting time and effort into achieving my dreams. I now know that what lies ahead and what is inside is beautiful. John has left an enormous impact on my life and I would trust him with anything. He has led me through the right doors to happiness.

For the team: YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!


Greg -15

wow..what to say...there is so much for me to talk about on this trip...but that would take three or four days...while i was up there on the top of that mountain so many things where gonig through my head...can you make it, can you really defeat all of those problems in there heart...only to turn out you can do it four or five times...i still remember giving john my bracelet that said "anger" and telling him to through it off the mountain...that to so much out of me to know that i have defeated all my issues with anger...it also was my biggest change in this past year...i also defeated my horrible grades...even thought i didn't make it all the way up to summit, i did more than i had really expected. i felt that i had defeated all the issues in life now...but i still have more in the future that will get me...i feel like i have changed in so many ways...im way stronger in my head than i was before i left...and my courage is unbelievably high...but most of all is that i have respect for everyone now..

Wow. Where to begin? The whole trip still seems like a dream to me and I am still waiting for all of it to sink in. On the mountain, I thought it was so amazing to see what determination and courage was hiding within all of us. The most memorable moment for me was not the summit, but rather about 300 yards shy of the summit when we all stopped to regroup and charge for the summit together. At that moment, we all realized that we were going to make it, we were all goint to make it, and everyone just started crying. That moment was truly remarkable.
Once we got off of the mountain and started moving around the country a bit through Nalchik, 'Min Vody,' and Moscow is where a lot of the fun started. For me; this trip was more than just the climb and what it represented, it was also an opportunity to see how other people in different countries live thier lives and make due with what they have. Working with the Chechan kids was really a blessing. Seeing all of them in their struggle still able to smile and have fun and play around like kids should was really moving; it made me take a second look at how apprach adversity in my life. To be honest, after seeing the way people in Nalchik live, not just the Chechan kids, made me almost ashamed of how much I take for granted in my life.
Overall, this trip was not only life changing in that I was able to see what I can overcome and accomplish, but also because I was able to see that many people have had to overcome much more than I have and accomplish more with much less than I have. That is what really changed my life.

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this trip was unlike anything i have ever done before in my life. the mountain was the highlight for me, during the climb and once we made it to the summit. it was a great challenge climbing due to altitude and being inactive for a month prior to the trip from a torn miniscus. for the majority of the climb i wanted to turn around but john kept motivating me for that last 1000 ft and all the others gave me motivation to finish what we had started. at the summit i forgot all the things that had held me back while climbing, it was an unbelievable sight to watch as the clouds moved below us and seemingly all the world could be seen from that point. after the climb it was just as fun and suspenseful dealing with the locals and run in with russian athourities. other than at rustan and sauers' houses for dinner my next most enjoyable experience was when the team traveled to munich. i was seperated from the team in a church so i was able to give myself a tour of the city trying to get back to the hostle where we had stayed at. all in all this trip was amazing and something that i will treasure for the remainder of my life due to the places we went, people we met, and relationships built to last.