There was a big turn out for 9/11 Manitou Incline tribute climb on the 20th anniversary of the attack. With the temperature climbing into the mid-90s, it was an extra challenging climb.

412 first responders, including 343 firefighters, died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. For the 4th year, Tech Sgt. RJ Gerry from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Fire Department organized a 9/11 tribute climb of the Manitou Incline. RJ knew 2 of the firefighters that lost their lives on 9/11.

Several of them climbed with about 60 pounds of gear. It wasn’t quite as hot as it was for the 2018 9/11 tribute climb but it was still quite warm. Local news stations covered the climb and Fox 21’s Lauren McDonald made the entire climb in a fireman suit.

RJ Gerry, a firefighter at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, once again organized a 9/11 tribute climb up the Manitou Incline on 9/11/18. In addition to firefighters in bunker gear, two Air Force wildland firefighters and 18 Fort Carson soldiers made the climb up the Incline.

Not only were the firefighters carrying 60+ pounds of gear but it was in record breaking heat. The high for the day was 90 degrees which broke the previous record set in 1895. The Incline climb was a tough feat but first responders are out in their communities giving their best all year long.