On September 11, the Truckee community gathered downtown for an annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, an event that has become a local tradition of remembrance, resilience, and unity. What began as a small climb has grown into a charity event, raising funds to support locals in need of mental health services. This year, the event raised an incredible $9,000. Video & screenshots by Court Leve.
For many participants, the climb was deeply personal. Alanna Hughes shared that her cousin, Timmy McSweeney, perished in the Twin Towers on 9/11 while climbing stairs on roof duty. “I wear this shirt in his honor and in loving memory of him,” Alanna said. “This is a memorial for him, but it’s also a community event where we raise money for mental health and come together for each other.”
Others echoed the same sentiment: the stair climb was both a solemn memorial and a source of hope. “The first three steps you take, you just feel the intensity of sacrifice,” one participant reflected. “It’s emotional, but it’s also uplifting to be together, honoring the bravery of those who gave everything.”
The climb brought together 125 participants and was supported by multiple fire and police agencies, including: Cal Fire, East Fork Fire, Truckee Fire, Metro Fire, Sacramento Fire, U.S. Forest Service, Truckee Police
Their presence reminded the community of the continued dedication and sacrifice of first responders everywhere.
A Partnership with High Fives reflected, “When Ryan and Alanna first approached us as strangers four years ago and asked if we would host this, it was the easiest yes in the history of the world—with the only condition being that we got to join them and participate. Now it’s become a community mainstay, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
While 9/11 will always be remembered as a tragic day in our nation’s history, the Truckee Stair Climb shines light into the darkness. It honors lives lost, supports local mental health services, and strengthens the bonds of community. Together, Truckee showed once again that we are stronger when we climb side by side.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors, Accusludge, KMI Wealth Advisors, Guesthouse, Shaffer Sealing (Truckee, CA), Tahoe Modern, Wild Cherries Coffee House, Hydrologic Sensors, Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats, Faulkner Architects, Mountain Hardware and Sports (100% Employee-Owned), Sol Skin Collective, Cornerstone Bakery, Project 110, Tahoe Mountain Realty.
