RUN TRIP FROM 13-02-07 TO 02-03-07.
Story from Paul B. Odom III.
Enclosed is the article that The Oklahoman.  1,000,000 people read this
newspaper.  Biggest in the state of Oklahoma.

Headline: Work hard, play hard on climb to (mountain) top
Byline: Clytie Bunyan
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Publication Date: 2007/03/25 12:00:00 AM
Publication Info: CITY, BUSINESS, 1C
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Keywords: BIZ,
Story:

A few weeks ago, P.B. Odom III called to say he was going mountain climbing in Ecuador and joked that if he made it back he'd tell me all about the trip.

Odom, 54, works hard and plays harder. He's spent the last three decades changing the landscape in south Oklahoma City, adding upscale residential developments and commercial areas.

But he loves the outdoors. His downtime often involves hunting and fishing trips with friends or family. This time was different. He went alone.

His goal was to climb five mountains around Quito, Ecuador, in 18 days. The first four were just to get acclimatized to climb the fifth - Mount Chimborazo. Height: 20,703 feet. No wonder he went alone. Not many people these days are in shape enough to reach 20,000 feet after a grueling nine hours carrying a 20-pound backpack. At least I don't know many.

Odom has been an Eagle Scout, an alumnus of the adventure education organization Outward Bound and, before Ecuador, had climbed about 35 mountains in North America. He's had excellent physical conditioning for years.

He's among an increasing group of businessmen for whom technical climbing and mountaineering have become pastimes. They approach the sport with the same intensity it takes to be at the top in their business. "I do it because not many people can," Odom said. "It's such an arduous, physically demanding sport. But the main reason I do it is because I have to get to the top.

There's a supreme sense of accomplishment that you only get at the top of a mountain."

On previous climbs, Odom's been known to have gathered his companions on the summit to hold "camp meeting," but he admits ego has no place on the mountain.

"I'm a very cautious climber. I'm always nervous," he said. "I don't take anything for granted. The only thing you're concentrating on is the next step, the next hand hold." By the time he was ready to leave for the $4,500 trip, climbing was his only focus. Business was not even an afterthought. "I do a lot of praying, and I had so much peace in my heart," he said. So how did he get to enjoy an 18-day adventure in a country where he knew no one?

Odom tried to hook up with renowned international mountaineer Eric Simonson, but Simonson had another gig planned and recommended other U.S. guides.

Since no friend or family was accompanying him, Odom decided he did not want to climb with a group. Instead, he'd try to find a private Ecuadorian guide so he could immerse himself in the culture there.

Google coughed up the Equadorian Alpine Institute. Odom checked references, confirmed the institute was reputable and, after getting over some reservations of having to pay in advance, proceeded with plans for the trip.

An alpine institute representative greeted him at the airport in Quito. From that time until the end of his trip, the institute took care of his daily needs and ensured his safety. After clearing a total of 19,500 feet at an almost perfect 45-degree angle with winds as high as 80 mph and below-freezing temperatures, you'd think someone may need a day or so to recover before heading to the office.

Odom didn't. He went right to work on further development of Palagio, a commercial center at SW 104 and Western Avenue, and residential developments Talavera, SW 169 and Santa Fe, and Rockport, SW 119 and Portland.

But he's also contemplating his next mountain adventure. His target: Mount Aconcagua, 22,841 feet, in Argentina.
Business Editor Clytie Bunyan:  475-3284;  cbunyan@oklahoman.com

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