Duncan Oil's Kevin V. Duncan
Writer MICHAEL SILVERMAN interviews Kevin V. Duncan about his passion for mountaineering and his work with the Juniper Fund. Kevin was photographed at his home in Bonnie Brae.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
Michael Silverman: Kevin, thanks so much for talking to us! I am eager to hear about your accomplishments in the mountaineering world and your involvement in several philanthropic endeavors, but let’s talk first about your day job. You are the Executive Vice President of Duncan Oil. Tell us more about the company.
Kevin V. Duncan: Duncan Oil operates as the family office for myself and my three brothers. My dad, Raymond Duncan, founded the company 60 years ago. In 1965 Ray also started Purgatory Ski Resort, 30 minutes from Durango, because there was no nearby location for the collage race team to train.
My father also founded Silver Oak Cellars near Napa. In the early ’70s, the region had a few other wineries including Robert Mondavi and Christian Brothers but it was quite different than it is today. My dad bought an old dairy farm and it became the site for the Silver Oak Winery in Oakville. He partnered with Justin Meyer who had worked for Christian Brothers and they planned to make an American-style cabernet using American oak barrels instead of French oak to age the wine. In 1972, Silver Oak had its first vintage. We have formed another brand named Twomey, which is my father's middle name and my grandmother's maiden name. The Twomey brand focuses on merlot, pinot noir, and sauvignon blanc wines.
“At 58 years of age, I’ve climbed all 54 14,000’ peaks in Colorado and I just finished all the fourteen thousand-foot peaks in the continental United States. There are 15 in California and Mt. Rainier in Washington. I am sure I’ll be mountaineering in my seventies or eighties.”
Climbing in California last summer on the summit block of Starlight (r) and on Thunderbolt (l).
MS: Now let’s talk about your life’s passion! You are an accomplished mountaineer and have traveled the world climbing some of the tallest mountains including Denali, Kilimanjaro, and Elbrus. How did you get started with mountaineering? And what motivates you to keep climbing?
KD: It started with hiking outside Durango with my father and my brothers. I climbed my first fourteener after my freshman year of college. After that, I have rarely taken a summer off from climbing. Mountaineering is an activity that you can do with a friend, just grab a pair of boots and a backpack, and you can climb anywhere in Colorado. At 58 years of age, I've climbed all 54 14,000’ peaks in Colorado and I just finished all the fourteen thousand-foot peaks in the continental United States. There are 15 in California and Mt. Rainier in Washington. I am sure I'll be mountaineering in my seventies or eighties. I don't know what lake I'll hike up to at that age and probably won't go up to the summit, but it will be great to be outdoors in such a great state as Colorado. It will always be one of those life-long pursuits.
“When I think of the hardest, I think of the Maroon Bells. I still stand near Maroon Lake and look up to those beautiful mountains, and I get butterflies in my stomach because they just do not look easily climbable.”
My working knowledge of the mountains and ranges in Colorado is quite complete. All of the summits are clear memories that I will always carry with me. If you climb any of the Elk Mountains, near Aspen, you will never forget them. I feel that way about Denali, Kilimanjaro, and Elbrus in Russia. They are all such team and individual such individual accomplishments. I have had great guides and dear friends join me over the years. The other thing about this sport is that it keeps you in good physical shape. If you believe that everything you do physically in your life is an opportunity to prepare to go climbing, it changes your attitude.
MS: What was the most difficult fourteener to climb, and which one would you suggest to a beginner who is interested in mountaineering?
KD: When I think of the hardest, I think of the Maroon Bells. I still stand near Maroon Lake and look up to those beautiful mountains, and I get butterflies in my stomach because they just do not look easily climbable. I have climbed North Maroon three times and Maroon Peak once so I know it can be done. Mt. McKinley is one of the most rewarding especially because I summited with my daughter. That mountain is more about perseverance than the technical aspect. You also need good luck with the weather because when it turns bad it can turn deadly very quickly.
For a beginner, I would recommend Bierstadt. It’s super accessible and a great climb. One thing I like about Bierstadt is that you can look up at the mountain as you are driving around Denver and know that you have been up there. You’ve climbed that.
MS: Philanthropy is a big part of your life and you serve on several boards including Kent Denver, the American Alpine Club, and the Juniper Fund. Tell us more about the Juniper Fund and your motivation for getting involved with this organization.
KD: The Juniper Fund was founded by Dave Morton and Melissa Arnot Reid. Melissa has been a huge influence in my life and my journey climbing the one hundred highest peaks in Colorado and other mountains around the world. I've climbed in South America and Asia with her. When she asked me to help with the Juniper Fund I was eager to help.
Dave and Melissa both experienced first-hand the loss of Sherpas in Nepal. They have seen what happens to the family left behind. When a son or husband loses their life as a guide or porter the wife and kids seldom have another way to support themselves. In a normal Everest climbing season, four to six Sherpas or porters lose their lives every year. This happens throughout the Himalayan region not just on Mt. Everest. The loss of life was much greater when two major events hit the region several years ago.
I was one of the founding trustees and helped create the structure of the Juniper Fund. We give $3,000 per year for five consecutive years to help ease the burden on these families who have lost their loved ones. There is a Juniper Fund representative who lives in Katmandu and stays in touch with the families, a full-time Executive Director in Seattle, and seven board members. I am privileged to be able to be a small part of helping these deserving people. The intersection between my desire to serve and love of the mountains makes the Juniper Fund and the American Alpine Club a perfect fit.
The Juniper Fund: www.juniperfund.com // @thejuniperfund