My mission in climbing what is referred to as the highest active volcano in the world, 19,347 ft.,was twofold: Overcome my lifelong fear of heights, and push myself to perform a greater physical strength and endurance challenge than I've ever before experienced. Well, those desires were both realized. Byfar the most difficult physical challenge ever and it didn't even bother me to stand on the edge and look over. Wow! What a view on such a sunny and clear morning. Began climbing from just under 16,000 ft. basecamp at 1:30 AM and went all night hardly stopping except for necessary breaths and an occational reststop for perhaps a minute. Arrived on the summit at 7 AM. Just days before, avalanche concerns with a crack in the glacier prevented other groups from getting to the summit and other days had been so cloudy with rain. We were so fortunate to make a success of it on an absolutely beautiful morning.