CAMP HILL, Pa. — Camp Hill native Julie McKelvey caught the climbing bug from her dad.
"I was above the clouds," said McKelvey. "Saw the sunrise and totally disconnected from my normal life. Something just switched in me, and I fell in love with it, with the process, and I knew I wanted more."
Following in her dad's footsteps, she summitted Mt. Fuji, the highest peak Japan.
"The only thing I knew for training was to go up and down Ski Roundtop a bunch of times and continue strength training," she said.
Then, not long after, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, where she found new purpose.
"On that mountain was when my guide said, you should think about the Seven Summits. It's the seven highest peaks on each continent in the world," said McKelvey. "He said not many women have ever done it.. not many people have ever done it... but I think you could do it."
Over the next five years, she completed her mission to climb all Seven Summits, Mt. Everest and all.
It wasn't only a physical journey, but also philanthropic.
During her climbs, she created Summit for Sound, a fundraising effort for the Miracle Ear Foundation, which she works closely with. They provide free hearing aids to those who cannot afford them.
"All in, I was able to raise more than a quarter million dollars, which will help thousands of people—not just in our area but across the state," said McKelvey.
And she says for people who are hearing impaired, the ability to finally hear is their summit.
"Me reaching the top of this mountain is no different than somebody reaching the top of any kind of health challenge," she said. "Or dream or whatever you want to do in your life. It's very similar."