BEND, OR -- A local mountain climber is hoping Central Oregonians will help support the millions of people impacted by two recent earthquakes in Nepal. More than 8,500 people were killed in the two quakes. John Beede of Bend was one of the last people to reach the summit of Mount Everest, two years ago. "My reaction, when I saw what was coming out of Nepal, was heartbroken. We have a lot of kindred spirits between Bendites and Nepalese people. They have high desserts, they have mountains, they have rivers and they’re incredibly friendly people and they are nothing but giving," He tells KBND. "I was just shocked for them. There are 3-million displaced people, I’m like, ‘we have to do something.’"
Beede says his first thought was to try and get to Nepal to help, but was told he would just be another mouth to feed. Instead, he's organizing a fundraising-climbing event, mimicking his climb up Mt. Everest. "We’re going to climb 605 individual climbs to the top. If you’re not a climber, you can still come and enjoy food, beverage, and I’ll be giving a Mt. Everest presentation. It’s $10 for entry, so if you’re a parent and you want to bring your kids rock climbing, rentals are free. All benefits are going straight to Nepal to build earthquake resistant homes."