Journalist:
Denali climb for Jaramillo a lifelong dream come true
Blue whales ingest up to 10 million pieces of microplastic each day, and the extent of the harm it may cause is still unknown. Researchers from the Ocean Conservancy have discovered microplastics in every marine habitat they have examined. These tiny particles are inhaled and consumed by both humans and animals. Scientists, including Jaramillo and Crisafi-Lurtsema, are working to learn more about microplastics. They are studying the particles in the air as well as those left behind by climbers on Denali who discard items made from plastic. By gathering data on this issue, they hope to better understand the scope of the problem. For Jaramillo, the Denali climb along the West Buttress Route is a lifelong dream come true. Growing up in Quito, Ecuador, he developed a passion for climbing with his father, tackling peaks like the 19,347-foot Cotopaxi volcano at a young age. Now a student in UAF’s engineering program, Jaramillo is excited for the opportunity to climb Denali and fulfill a childhood dream. His journey from Ecuador to New York City to Alaska has led him to this moment, where he is about to embark on an adventure that he has always dreamed of.
