Plateau Chapter of TN Trails Association speaker

On April 11th, the Plateau Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association’s (TTA) will conclude its’ 2024 speaker series educational program with a talk and slide show on mountain climbing in Nepal.  The presentation will be made by long time Cumberland County resident Isaac Zurcher, Owner of Zurich Homes in Fairfield Glade.  Isaac’s discussion will include an overview of the intense physical training program, required to prepare for the climb and the difficulties encountered to ascend the steep faces and soaring rock and ice-covered ridges to reach the 22,349-foot summit of Ama Dablam, often known as “the Matterhorn of the Himalayas.” 

 This final event in this year’s lecture series concludes what has been a noteworthy series of presentations focused on subjects that support the TTA’s statewide mission of promoting hiking, building, and maintaining trails, and encouraging sustainable use of nature’s wonderland.   In summary, this program included a detailed discussion of current and future development of the Cumberland Trail, a presentation of how a state land conservatory acquires, funds, and restores wilderness areas, and last month a dramatic show featuring live birds of prey and information explaining their value to our natural woodlands.

The April 11th presentation will take us above the trails and parks on a climb that will send energy through the audience.   Issac will talk about how, as a native to Cumberland County, he began hiking in eastern Tennessee, developed an interest in rock climbing, and as his expertise grew, decided to take a mountaineering class at Tennessee Tech.  That class included a week of climbing in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park and turned out to be just the beginning of his many mountaineering exploits.

After the Tennessee Tech monitored experience, Isaac returned to the mountains in our western states climbing in the Teton Range as well as in the Cascades in the Northwestern United States.  Reaching for ever greater heights, in 2015, he traveled to Argentina and summitted Aconcagua, the tallest mountain outside of Asia at 22,837 feet and one that is considered among the Seven Summits.  Always ready to embark on another quest, 2016 saw Isaac successfully getting to the top of Alpamayo a 19,511 ft. snow covered peak in Peru, characterized by steep ice-covered ridges and snow tunnels leading to the summit. 

This exciting and informative discussion will include an explanation of his rigorous six-month, training program consisting of trail running and strength enhancing routines designed to help one overcome the physical challenges of climbing at high altitudes.  Additionally, he will explain the significant logistical requirements and the need for support in the immediate area of Ama Dablam, before and during the summit attempt.  To emphasize the challenges of the climb, a dramatic picture show that includes scenes captured from a drone will be included.

The program will begin at 6 pm at the First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street in downtown Crossville. Since seating is limited, those interested in attending, should make their wishes known as soon as possible by RSVP’ing John Martin, Speaker Series Coordinator, via email at jr.dmartin77@gmail.com.  As a courtesy to the speaker, please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can sign in and be seated.