A trio of local firefighters is taking upward mobility to greater heights.
Skagit County Fire District 13 Chief Wood Weiss, firefighter/EMT Cole Mardesich, and firefighter Anne Reykdal are in training to take part in the annual Firefighter Stairclimb fundraiser for blood cancer research at Seattle’s Columbia Center Tower on March 8.
The event is the world’s largest on-air stair climb competition for firefighters and requires entrants to cover 1,367 steps and 69 floors – with nearly 800 feet of elevation gain – while having their facepiece connected to a breathing apparatus.
It’s a grueling challenge that Weiss has gladly faced a dozen times before. He knows that with every step, while weighed down with 50 pounds of gear, he and his fellow firefighters raise critical funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
The LLS is the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to curing blood cancers.
“This is a special year for me,” said Weiss, a youthful 64, who regularly completes the climb in 19 to 24 minutes. “This is No. 13 and we’re going to be there for District 13.”
In addition to providing important financial support for LLS, Weiss said the Columbia Center climb, held in downtown Seattle’s tallest skyscraper, is an ideal training exercise.
“It helps me stay in shape, so that when I have to go into a fire, I know I can handle it,” he stressed.
Wearing full gear and using an air apparatus simulates for climbers the experience of going into a burning building.
Ironically, the first time Weiss entered the stair climb was on a Sunday morning after having worked on a structure fire the night before. It was also the day clocks sprung forward for daylight saving time.
“I got done around 5 a.m. and was able to sleep for about an hour. Then I jumped in the car and headed down for the climb,” he recalled. “I was pretty wiped out but I was able to do it in about 24 minutes.”
Over the years, Weiss has learned to pace himself. That way he doesn’t exhaust his entire air supply before completing the climb. Having to switch air bottles mid-climb, he said, increases one’s finish time.
“My best time has been 19 minutes, 17 seconds,” he said. “I’d love to break 20 minutes again.”
Mardesich, 28, is making his second climb, inspired by Weiss.
“I’ve seen the way chief has done it. His times beat a whole lot of other people,” Mardesich said. “It’s amazing how he does it.”
Weiss said that Reykdal, who commutes here from Skykomish, will make the climb in honor of a family member who succumbed to cancer.
Entrants collect pledges and donations for LLS. Participants, who include career, volunteer and retired firefighters, commit to raising a minimum of $300. Weiss said those wishing to sponsor a District 13 stair climber can do so online, via the Blood Cancer United website, or by dropping donations off at the Snee-Oosh Road station.
Ahead of the Seattle climb, the District 13 team will train on StairMaster machines. Additionally, Weiss plans some treks up the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail in Anacortes this month.
“Lately, the winners have come from Canada. One of the big things that helps is if you can train at high altitude,” he said.
What all firefighter entrants have in common is their support of LLS. The same is true of those who take part in the separate public Columbia Center Tower Big Climb that takes place two weeks later on March 22.
It, too, is a fundraiser for blood cancer research.
One of its more devoted participants is local resident Mike Ritchie, a commercial airline pilot and former La Conner High sports standout who holds the school’s all-time high jump mark. Ritchie will enter and collect donations for the 2026 Big Climb, which like the firefighters’ contest, is a 69-floor trial.
“The Big Climb in Seattle (for LLS) was the first one in the U.S.,” Weiss said. “Then firefighters asked if they could join and do the climb with their gear on. That led to what became the first Firefighters Stairclimb in the country.”
Weiss said he’s grateful on several levels to enter his 13th Firefighters Stairclimb alongside Mardesich and Reykdal.
“I want to thank everybody who has supported me over the years,” he said, “and especially thank all the people who have supported our fire district.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
