First responders climb Manitou Incline at exact moment first plane hit 25 years ago today

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Over 250 first responders locally and across the country climbed the Manitou Incline in their full gear at 6:46 a.m. Friday morning, the exact time locally that American Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower on 9/11.

At 2,011 feet of climbing, the Manitou Incline is almost the exact height first responders had to climb in both towers on 9/11. It's become one of the most well-known traditions nationwide while honoring 9/11.

"It's really sobering because we get to the top, we get to take our gear off," said Manitou Springs assistant Fire Chief Andrew Winchell. "The crews that were climbing, they knew when they got to that floor they were going to fight the hardest high-rise fire of their lives, and unfortunately they didn't get the chance to actually do that."

Thousands enlisted in the military after the 9/11 attacks, and thousands more already signed up, like Travis Kaufman, felt inspired to renew their service.

"I was just going to do my four-year enlistment and get out of the army," Kaufman said. 25 years later, 8 combat deployments. Yeah, I think it changed for a lot of us.

In previous years, the hike started at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit in New York. For the 25th anniversary, organizers instead made the choice to start at the time American Flight 11 hit locally, 25 years ago today.

"The day after 9/11, people were so close, and to see where we are now is kind of hard, but it's nice to see all these people gather and remember the things that make us great," said veteran of the War on Terror, Jeremy Cook.

The group paused at five significant timestamps during the climb for a moment of silence.

7:03 AM – United Flight 175 hits the South Tower
7:37 AM – American Flight 77 hits the Pentagon
7:59 AM – The South Tower collapses
8:03 AM – United Flight 93 crashes into a field in Pennsylvania
8:28 AM – The North Tower collapses

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