Ranier Raqueno’s father will be with him — in spirit — as he strives to set a North American record. The Manitou Springs resident will carry his late father’s photo with him as he climbs approximately 6.4 miles to Pacific Tarn near Breckenridge.
Once he reaches the continent’s highest named lake, at 13,420 feet, Raqueno will set up his foldable
around the lake and think about the man who passed away in May.
“Having a picture of my father with me as I do it will mean he’ll live in history with me forever,” Raqueno said.
The Air Force officer moved to Manitou in February but has lived in Colorado Springs off and on for a total of eight years.
“I’ve always dreamed of living in Manitou since I first began doing the Incline in 2009,” he said.
Raqueno has gathered a team to pursue his dream. “Crazy” Bob Stuka, who set a record for the fastest descent of the Manitou Incline, will be aiming for his own record, that of paddle-boarding in the highest North American named lake.
They’ll be accompanied by Trevor Becker, founder of the Pikes Peak Trail Crew, which cleans up the Pike National Forest; and Joe Hashey, the founder and owner of Synergy Athletics.
“Both are great members of the community and also avid Incliners. We have such an amazing team,” Raqueno said.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 30, they were planning to undertake the record quest on Saturday, Sept. 10, weather permitting. They’ve gone on two scouting trips to the Quandary and Pacific peaks area and have already postponed once after experiencing unusually stormy weather and rock slides.