The emotions are already plentiful for Joe Rudy, who is a mix of nervous, excited and intimidated.
Rudy, 26, an openly gay Chicagoan who lives in Wicker Park and works as a salesman at a local art gallery, is already counting down the days until he attempts one of the most challenging hikes in the world.
Yep, Rudy is heading to the Himalayas with a group of about five others, arranged through a London-based company, to hike Mt. Everestthe highest mountain in the world, 29,029 feet above sea level.
"I'm nervous, but really excited," he said. "I'm a bit intimidated by the training [that will be] involvedreally, really intense cardio and muscle endurance. To simulate the stress of the high altitude on the body, you do intense cardio and muscle endurance activities for extended periods of time."
Part of Rudy's training will include tying a tire to a six-foot cord and then tying the rope around his waist. He will be carrying a 60- or 70-pound backpack and walking around Chicago for, oh, six or seven hours.
Without question, "this is a once-in-a-lifetime climb," he said.
Rudy grew up on a farm in a small town about three hours from Chicago. He learned the fundamentals of climbing from his dad, Paul, and the two climbed Mount McKinley in Alaska, the highest mountain in North America. The two also have climbed Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in South America.
Everest is about 7,000 feet higher than either of the other two elite mountains.
"They are such incredible experiences because they are so extreme, and truly test one's limits. They really make you appreciate the small things, such as running water, or a bath," Rudy said, smiling.
Everest is, though, a very serious adventure, with a success rate of only about 20 percentand it definitely has potentially fatal consequences.
The majority of climbers who start Everest yet fail to reach the peak succumb to physical and mental breakdown.
"Mentally, it's very difficultthe daily grind, the daily workouts, and the stress," Rudy said. "Sleeping [at high altitudes] also can be an issue. It's normal to suffer regular headaches from the altitude and loss of appetite.
"Climbing Everest is a huge task, incredibly difficult for anyone. But, I don't think, in a way, it's much different than the fighting Equality Illinois and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) have been doing for years for gay rights."
So Rudy is doing the 70-day climb to aide both charities. His website for the climb is: www.Everest4Equality.org .
"Joe's climbing Mt. Everest is, in so many ways, symbolic of the LGBT community uniting to face the most daunting challenges in the struggle for full equality," said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO for Equality Illinois. "Joe's story of training, perseverance, and endurance is a powerful testament to human ability."
Rudy has lost 20 pounds on each of his two other major mountain climbs, even though he's often consuming 6,000 calories in a day and those were only about 17-day adventures. He hopes to weigh about 185 next March when he starts the climb, up 10 pounds from his current weight.
The hike up will take 60 to 65 days. Coming down, it takes only a few.
"You have to go up really, really slow to let your body and your brain adjust to the altitude," said Rudy, who will survive on camping-style, carbohydrate-loaded meals.
Rudy is hoping to raise up to $200,000 through fundraising, which then will be split between the two charities.
"In 2013, asking to marry the person you love … I don't think that's ridiculous; it's asinine that we don't have these rights," said Rudy, who is dating Robby Shields, although Shields won't be along for the climb.
"This climb is relatively short compared to the fight for LGBT rights that these charities have been doing for years, for decades. I'm really excited to be representing these two groups."
Rudy will update regularly during the climb, including video blogs.
"I'm really excited for this climb, but more importantly, I want the chance to get married and someday have a normal family. Rudy said. "I'm hoping that the climb can bring attention to some Americans who otherwise wouldn't know or be open-minded to LGBT equality.
"I really want to change the attitude and opinion of closed-minded people regarding LGBT issues."
Rudy will be climbing the north face of Everest, which is more challenging than the southand the death rate on the North is two times that on the south side due to the extreme cold and the more challenging vertical climb.
What are the first things he wants when it's over?
Running water, a cup of coffee, a shower, and a burger, he said, laughing.
"I'm excited to be able to contribute to these causes, even just a little bit," he said.
And from quite an altitude.
Rudy is hosting a fundraiser for Everest4Equality on Thursday, June 27, at Primitive Gallery, 130 N. Jefferson St., 5:30-8 p.m.