I just got back from a hike honoring our friend Ben Kilik, who passed away on July 16th, 2007 of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  Before Ben passed, he trekked up the Kearsarge Pass in Onion Valley in Inyo County, California.  I joined Ben’s brother John Kilik, his brother-in-law Jeff Ross, and our friends Matt Koschak and Kris Kuzera for this memorial hike a year after Ben’s death.

We camped at the base of the trail, which was at about 9,000 feet above sea level.  The Kearsarge Pass is about 6 mile long and climbs up to 12,000 feet.  I figured my sumo training would get me up the mountain with no problem.

I was wrong.  There were no aches and pains while climbing, and I wasn’t gasping for air, but there was very little oxygen in the air.  I had to stop frequently to breathe and get enough oxygen into my muscles.  As I got closer to the top, I didn’t think I would make it.  I kept thinking about Ben climbing this mountain and Kelly Gneiting finishing a marathon, so I kept on going.  It took me 4 1/2 hours to get to the top, but they all waited for me to have a beer in Ben’s honor.

During this hike, I learned that sumo is easy and I hate hiking.  But the scenery was beautiful, and this was truly Ben’s gift to us.  Kooz included Ben in our photo at the top.  Enjoy.

Troy Collins, Trent Sabo, and I were invited by the Los Angeles Mongolian Association to compete in Mongolian wrestling during their Naadam festivities this year.

Trent won his first match, than lost his next one to Tsogsuren Tsogkhuu (who Trent beat at the Sumo Grand Prix earlier this year).

I also won my first match, then lost my next one.  My opponent was Bayanbat Davaadalai, who also beat me at the Sumo Grand Prix.

Troy did better than Trent and I.  He won all his matches until the semifinals, when he lost to 2nd place finisher Erdenebileg Alagdaa.  The winner was Tugsjargal Tsedendorj.  Troy took 3rd place with Bayanbat Davaadalai.