Quick Take

More than 60 people honored the fallen first responders of 9/11 by climbing Seacliff State Beach’s stairs 13 times – equal to the World Trade Center’s 110 stories – at Friday’s 25th anniversary memorial climb in Aptos.

More than 60 firefighters, first responders and community members from Santa Cruz County and the San Francisco Bay Area gathered Friday morning at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos for the annual 9/11 memorial stair climb, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Santa Cruz firefighters lower a large American flag suspended between two ladders during the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos.
Santa Cruz firefighters lower a large American flag suspended between two ladders during the annual 9/11 memorial stair climb at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Men, women and children joined the first responders in the climb, coming together to honor the firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives on 9/11. The memorial climb honors the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department, 37 Port Authority police officers, 23 New York Police Department officers and other emergency personnel who died at the World Trade Center.

Santa Cruz county firefighters look at the raised American flag in the parking lot of Seacliff State Beach.
Santa Cruz county firefighters look at the raised American flag in the parking lot of Seacliff State Beach. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Participants climbed the Seacliff stairs 13 times, the equivalent of 110 stories, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers.

More than 60 people honored the fallen first responders of 9/11 by climbing Seacliff State Beach’s stairs 13 times - equal to the World Trade Center’s 110 stories - at Friday’s 25th anniversary memorial climb in Aptos.
More than 60 people honored the fallen first responders of 9/11 by climbing Seacliff State Beach’s stairs 13 times – equal to the World Trade Center’s 110 stories – at Friday’s 25th anniversary memorial climb in Aptos. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A Santa Cruz fire captain was among the many firefighters that made the climb in their full turnout gear.
A Santa Cruz fire captain was among the many firefighters that made the climb in their full turnout gear. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

The climb is not a race. It is a physical and symbolic act of remembrance, with participants making the repeated ascent while some wore their firefighting gear and carried the names and memories of those who never came home.

A firefighter makes his way down the stairs at Seacliff while the American flag looms large overhead.
A firefighter makes his way down the stairs at Seacliff while the American flag looms large overhead. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Retired firefighters joined in the stair climb.
Retired firefighters joined in the stair climb. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Central Fire firefighter Chris Herman takes part in the 9/11 Stair Climb in Aptos with his 2-year-old daughter.
Central Fire District firefighter Chris Herman takes part in the 9/11 stair climb in Aptos with his 2-year-old daughter. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos.
The annual 9/11 memorial stair climb at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, the Seacliff stairs provided a powerful setting for the memorial. Participants climbed together, paused to catch their breath and continued upward, completing each of the 13 ascents in honor of the fallen.

Local bagpiper Jay Salter plays at the bottom of the stairs as first responders and community members make their way up and down during the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
Local bagpiper Jay Salter plays at the bottom of the stairs as first responders and community members make their way up and down during the 9/11 memorial stair climb. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A firefighter rushes past the camera during the 9/11 stair climb at Seacliff State Beach on Friday morning.
A firefighter rushes past the camera during the 9/11 stair climb at Seacliff State Beach on Friday morning. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Scotts Valley Mayor Donna Lind, who was the longtime President of the Fallen Officer Foundation, took part in Friday's stair climb.
Scotts Valley Mayor Donna Lind, a longtime president of the Fallen Officer Foundation, took part in Friday’s stair climb. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Proceeds from Friday’s climb went to the San Jose Fire Fighters Burn Foundation.  

The San Jose Fire Fighters Burn Foundation was set up to help people who have suffered serious burn injuries and their families, particularly with the long-term recovery that continues after the initial medical treatment.

Over 60 first responders and community members participated in the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos.
Over 60 first responders and community members participated in the annual 9/11 memorial stair climb at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
After a long climb up and down the stairs at Seacliff State Beach, Central Fire firefighter Chris Herman relaxes with his 2-year-old daughter.
After a long climb up and down the stairs at Seacliff State Beach, Central Fire firefighter Chris Herman relaxes with his 2-year-old daughter. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

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Kevin Painchaud is an international award-winning photojournalist. He has shot for various publications for the past 30 years, appearing on sites nationwide, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, The...